Photo By Chief Petty Officer Janweb Lagazo | NORFOLK (June 1, 2016) Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87)...... read more read more
By Seaman Janweb B. Lagazo, USS Mason (DDG 87) Public Affairs
NORFOLK (June 01, 2016) The guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), assigned to the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), departed its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment.
While deployed, Mason and IKE CSG will operate in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AOR) as part of the Navy’s Great Green Fleet (GGF). The GGF initiative emphasizes the use of biofuel powered ships employing various energy efficient systems in an effort to showcase energy conservation as part of the Navy’s tradition of stewardship at sea. The deployment is part of a regular rotation of maritime forces in accordance with the Optimized Fleet Response Plan highlighted by both the off going Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Jonathan Greenert and the current CNO, Adm. John Richardson.
“Mason and her crew have been absolutely superb working through the phases of training approaching deployment,” said Cmdr. Christopher J. Gilbertson, Mason’s commanding officer. “Hard work, practice, and dedication to doing things right the first time is what allowed Mason to have such great success leading up to today. We have trained and succeeded in every warfare area, often certifying early and well above the standard.”
Mason and IKE CSG are set to replace the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of Operation Inherent Resolve strike operations in Iraq and Syria. Mason also expects to participate in maritime security operations and theater security cooperation with regional partners in the AOR.
“It’s no secret we will be tasked to work with regional partners and entities,” said Command Master Chief (SW/AW/PJ/DV) Ronn Shasky, “it serves as an opportunity to showcase our capabilities and understand our role as the greatest naval power in the world in training and integrating with other countries.”
Shasky anticipates working with the other ships in the strike group to perform the various missions Mason will be tasked with. He explained that group training has helped the ships become “integrated, knowing each ship’s capabilities, strengths and weaknesses.”
“Moving forward, we are poised to provide maritime presence and theater security in cooperation with our international partners in both C5F and C6F AOR’s,” said Gilbertson, “whatever we are called to do, we will execute with the same professionalism and sense of pride Mason has displayed to date. We will most certainly operate in nearly every area we have trained for and will visit numerous countries supporting both current military operations and enriching new and existing partnerships.”
Mason has spent the better part of the last year underway preparing for every challenge and obstacle that may come its way.
“We never stopped preparing,” said Shasky, “from the moment we left the yards, all throughout basic phase, every qualification, COMPTUEX, INSURV, and all the phases we’ve been put through have been for this moment.”
The full spectrum of emotions was found aboard Mason as excited Sailors mingled with veteran Sailors of multiple tours prior to departing. Family members were lined pier side with gestures of love and support. The atmosphere was a resilient one as the Arleigh-Burke class destroyer sailed off.
“I’m excited and nervous,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Xin Yu Chen, “it’s my first deployment even though I have been in the Navy for five years. It’s also a little sad because I have family I’m leaving behind but what we’re doing is important.”
Although Mason is expected to make routine port visits, the mission and the focus remain the same.
“I am extremely proud of the crew and all their accomplishments,” said Gilbertson, “and confident they will make their nation and families proud by their performance while deployed.”
Along with Mason, IKE CSG includes the CSG 10 staff, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, the guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and the DESRON 26 ships: guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).
Join the conversation with Mason on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MASONDDG87/.
Find more news from USS Mason (DDG 87) at www.navy.mil/local/ddg87.
For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn69.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2016 22:12 |
| Story ID: | 200049 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 2,489 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, USS Mason Departs for Deployment, by CPO Janweb Lagazo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
