A Brookhaven native is back at home after returning to the U.S.earlier this month from Afghanistan, where he aided in the waragainst terrorism.

A quiet man, Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Bell did notwant to elaborate much on his participation in the war.

“I think I was in the safest place you could be there being on aship,” the 29-year-old said. “You never know what will happen onthe ground,” but ships are much harder target for the terrorists tohit.

Bell was stationed aboard the gigantic carrier U.S.S. John C.Stennis (CVN-74) Dec. 6, 2000. They sailed for Afghanistan inOctober 2001.

“We knew where we were going,” he said. “We went to Hong Kongfirst and left there to go on station.”

The John C. Stennis relieved the U.S.S. Carl Vinson, he said.Their mission was to provide air support for ground operations andconduct air strikes against Al-Qaida targets.

“I really don’t think I can say more than that,” he said.

The Stennis stayed on station for four months, he said, beforebeing relieved by the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. While on station,their battle group of seven ships was joined by ships of theBritish and Canadian navies.

“I thought it would be over by the time we left, but you don’tstop until you get them all,” he said.

The trip did have its plus side though, Bell said. They visitedseveral foreign ports, including Hong Kong, Singapore, SaudiArabia, two ports in Australia and a brief stay in thePhilippines.

One of the most interesting things to happen on the mission waswhen an old friend of Bell’s found him in Saudi Arabia.

Brookhaven native Daniel Jackson, the son of Martha Jackson, isstationed on the U.S.S. Port Royal based in Pearl Harbor. Jacksondiscovered both ships were in port in Saudi Arabia and began asearch for Bell.

“It was something to run into a friend from just up the streetin Saudi,” Bell said.

Bell’s parents, Moses and Cheryl Dianne Bell, and otherrelatives met Bell when his ship sailed into its North Island NavalBase, San Diego, home the first week of June.

“It’s a sight I’ll never forget,” Moses Bell said, “seeing thatship just easing into the dock. That was phenomenal. It’s a monsterof a ship.”

Christopher Bell said thousands of people were waiting on thedocks when the ship came in to either greet loved ones or showtheir support.

“I loved it,” he said. “I didn’t think there would be that manypeople there.”

He came home to Brookhaven June 15 to spend about two weeks withrelatives and friends, but has to leave later this week to reportback to North Island.

“I’m glad to be back home, and I hope all that over there endsreal soon,” he said. “There really is no place like home.”

“We’re proud of him,” Moses Bell said. “We’ve been proud of himsince day one. Our hearts and prayers will continue to be with allthose brave men and women serving over there. I’m proud Christopherwas one of them, but I’m glad he’s home now.”