MAYPORT, Fla. – After a solemn ceremony, three coastal patrol ships left Mayport on Friday for their final docking in Philadelphia. O’Neill’s ship, USS Shamal -- as well as USS Zephyr and USS Tornado -- have been vital in the counter-narcotic illegal migration patrols during their time in service off the U.S. coast. USS Shamal was first on Tuesday, remembered for its help during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. AdOn Thursday, USS Tornado was decommissioned. Once in Philadelphia, the three ships will await their official decommissioning designation, which happens next month.

Homecoming: USS Tornado returns from counter-narcotics deploymentPublished: October 13, 2020, 6:27 pmThe Mayport-based patrol ship USS Tornado is returned to base after a three-month deployment, its second during the pandemic.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Mayport-based patrol ship USS Tornado is returned to base Tuesday morning after a three-month deployment -- its second during the pandemic. The USS Tornado, with 40 men and women aboard, had been in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, working to stop drug trafficking since Aug. 13. The ship also became the first Navy patrol ship to travel through South American waters in more than 20 years. The Tornado’s deployment also marked another noteworthy record; It was the first time all three of Mayport’s coast patrol ships were deployed at the same time. Making the occasion more special, this mission will be among the USS Tornado’s last.

Published: May 13, 2020, 6:35 am Updated: May 13, 2020, 9:23 amJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The USS Tornado, a navy patrol ship, returned from deployment Wednesday morning. A Mayport spokesman said the station would use social media to welcome the heroes home because family members aren’t allowed to greet the returning sailors pier-side like usual because of COVID-19 precautions. USS Tornado (PC 14) Homecoming; welcome back! Posted by Naval Station Mayport on Wednesday, May 13, 2020The ship docked just after 9 a.m.

MAYPORT, Fla. - Dozens of families were reunited Tuesday when the USS Tornado returned to Naval Station Mayport after a 78-day deployment. WATCH: USS Tornado returns to Naval Station Mayport"I'm very happy and the kids, I just told them this morning because I don't want to get them all excited, but they were! It was a heroes homecoming as loved ones greeted more than two dozen sailors with signs, kisses and plenty of long-lasting hugs. Travis Gratham was the first one off the ship to reunite with his wife and three young kids. Their next mission is to enjoy the next few months at home with their loved ones.

Dozens of families were reunited Tuesday when the USS Tornado returned to Mayport after a 78-day deployment. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

MAYPORT, Fla. – The U.S. Navy will be sending ships from Naval Station Mayport out to sea ahead of Hurricane Irma. It's the biggest sortie of ships from Mayport ahead of a hurricane since 1999. In September of that year, the carrier JFK and 12 other ships left the base ahead of Hurricane Floyd. At sea is a better place for them to be," said Steve Millican, emergency manager for Naval Station Mayport. Plans are also in the works at Naval Station Mayport to make sure that all personnel and base resources are safe as Irma approaches.