USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Deploys

7,500 sailors left Naval Station Norfolk Monday for a six to seven month deployment. Most were on USS Harry S. Truman. Three surface ships left with the strike group including USS San Jacinto, USS Winston Churchill, and USS Oscar Austin.

These smaller ships carry a crew of about 300 to 350. On USS San Jacinto this deployment there will be five women on board. ENS Meghan Gray said it can sometimes be difficult being so outnumbered. "But a sailor is a sailor. I didn't even realize until I spent time on the ship that there weren't any enlisted women on board. The five of us are close, we have a bond. But a sailor is a sailor."

Her parents came to see her off. They live in Saint Louis. Gary Gray's father fought at Pearl Harbor. "We have a rich Navy tradition in our family. My father's brother was also Navy. He gave Meghan her first salute at her Commissioning."

Meghan's mother, Debby, worries about her daughter. "I worry about pirates, what happens in the ports. I know she is well trained and the ship is safe, but I still worry."