Maj. Michael Murphy, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, takes hold of his two daughters, Elli and Annabel, after returning to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Feb. 2, 2012, following a more than 10-month deployment at sea attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. To celebrate, the Murphy family is going on a Disney Cruise at the end of the month. "Back to the boat," said Murphy, "will be much more comfortable this time around though."

Photo by Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken

Marines return from one of longest MEU deployments in recent history

3 Feb 2012 | Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2012) -- Friends and family reunited with their Marines of Marine Attack Squadron 231 on the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flight line, Feb. 2, 2012.

The Marines were part of an AV-8B Harrier detachment attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was at sea for more than 10 months.

It was one of the longest MEU deployments in recent history, said Maj. Ben Hutchins, officer in charge of the VMA-231 detachment.