PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- Nearly 500 Navy sailors with two Pearl Harbor-based aircraft carriers deployed on Friday to the Persian Gulf.

The two guided missile destroyers -- the USS Paul Hamilton and the USS O'Kane -- will be a part of the USS Stennis Aircraft Carrier Strike Group.

Family members gathered to say good-bye to their loved ones.

The deployment will last at least seven months.

"Staying in touch is probably going to be the No. 1 important thing to keep the family going," said Joseph Melchor of the USS Paul Hamilton.

"I'll just wait for his letters and e-mails and try to stay as strong as possible," said Melchor's wife, Winne.

The Stennis group will join another carrier strike group. The Navy said that the presence of two aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf demonstrates the United States' resolve to bring security and stability to the region.