Cmdr. Ted Riccardella, a Naval aviator with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, embraces his family during a homecoming celebration.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Nov. 14, 2014) Cmdr. Ted Riccardella, a Naval aviator with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, embraces his family during a homecoming celebration. VFA-31 returned home from a nine-month deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), conducting combat operations, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shannon D. Barnwell) File# 141114-N-HU624-552