Navy destroyer to return to Va. tomorrow

NORFOLK — The Navy says the guided missile destroyer Mitscher is heading back to Norfolk.

Officials say the ship and its 280 sailors will return on Friday after deploying in January to the Far East and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Mitscher served as the air defense commander for a Royal Navy Amphibious Task Group and participated in an exercise with the Turkish Navy. It also supported operation Active Endeavor, NATO’s initiative to help deter terrorist activity in the area.

The ship also took part in a maritime defense exposition in Singapore, among other stops.