Sweet Home, Alabama

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AP) - The crew of the Maersk Alabama is back on American soil.

The merchant seamen who clashed with pirates off the coast of Somalia arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington early
Thursday for a reunion with their families. The crowd cheered, whistled and applauded as the crewman climbed down a ramp from
their chartered plane to hugs and kisses.

One crewman, carrying a child toward the terminal, shouted, "I'm happy to see my family." Another exclaimed: "God bless
America."

A banner with yellow ribbons and reading "Welcome Home Maersk Alabama" was put up by shipping company employees near the runway.

The Alabama's skipper, who was held hostage for five days before Navy SEALs rescued him, has not yet returned to the U.S.