USS Tripoli departs from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula

After nearly a decade of calling Pascagoula home, the USS Tripoli began its journey to its permanent port this morning.

- after nearly a decade of callin- pascagoula- home, the uss tripoli began its- journey to its permanent port - this morning.

- news 25's grace boyles has more- from pascagoula.- - after seven years of- building, the uss tripoli - finally departed from ingalls - shipbuilding friday morning for- its home port of san- diego.- the united states navy's newest- large-deck amphibious - assault ship sailed away at - approximately 9 a-m with a crow- of supporters waving farewell - from point park pascagoula, - including doreen pfeiffer whose- husband is aboard the ship.

- doreen pfeiffer, wife of chief- pfeiffer: "we moved here like two years ago, but he's - been with the tripoli since - 2017-- august 2017.

So we moved- here for the tripoli- when it was getting built."

Construction on the tripoli - began in july 2013 with the - fabrication - of ship components.

Six years - later on july 15th 20-20, - the navy officially commissione- - - - the tripoli in a virtual- ceremony.

- as the 855-foot-long ship left- pascagoula, gabi fisher of- gautier, along with many others- tried to find her aunt- aboard the tripoli and wave one- last farewell before- the ship headed out to sea.

- gabi fisher, niece of uss - tripoli crew member: "we're not sure if we actually saw - her beacuse like everyone looks- so alike on the ship.

So, i - wasn't sure it was her- or not."

Grace boyles, news 25: "while families of those who serve in- the u.s. military are used- to long periods of time without- seeing loved ones, covid-19 has- limited the time- families of the uss tripoli cre- has have been able to spend - together even more- than usual due to strict- quarantine rules."

- - - doreen pfeiffer, wife of chief- pfeiffer: "since covid-19, they've been doing- quarantine, so basically you're- either in your house for twelve- days without- leaving, without any contact or- you're in the ship for twelve - days without leaving, just- - - - for safety.

So we haven't been- able to see him since july--- june, june!

I dont- - - - even remember.

June 27 or - something.

For four weeks or- so."

Pfeiffer relies on email to tal- to her husband when he's on the- ship, however, she says network- connection on - new ships don't always work as- well as planned.- doreen pfeiffer, wife of chief- pfeiffer: "so, we're just praying that it will be working- and - we can email him and he can tel- us he's safe.

If not, we'll jus- be praying and he'll be - in our hearts and we know he'll- be safe."

Pfeiffer and her daughter - adrianna will reunite with her- husband in san diego in the - coming weeks.

- in pascagoula,