Sailors aboard San Diego-based USS Reagan were on their way to Japan Monday as part of a three-ship swap.
Cathy Williams’ son was deploying with the aircraft carrier.
“I'm a little brokenhearted. He's going to be gone for three years so it's a little hard for me to say goodbye,” Williams said.
USS Reagan is just one of three carriers taking part in this swap.
USS George Washington left Japan destined for Virginia where it will undergo a nuclear power refueling.
Navy officials say nearly two-thirds of the crew from George Washington will return to Japan as members of the Ronald Reagan crew.
USS Reagan won’t return to California until early 2019.
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One Navy wife said the long deployment is going to be very difficult, especially with small children.
“I'm feeling emotional,” said Sabrina Whitelow. “I'm sad for me but happy for him. He loves traveling so Japan was something he really wanted.”
USS Theodore Roosevelt is currently in the Middle East and will end its voyage in San Diego, its new home port.
