SAN DIEGO -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) and the embarked “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 returned to their homeport of San Diego May 11 after completing a three-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sterett joined her sister ship, the San Diego-based Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), to conduct operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and support the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) to advance U.S. Pacific Fleet’s “Up-Gunned” ESG concept.
The Up-Gunned ESG is a concept that aims to provide lethality and survivability to a traditional amphibious ready group by integrating multi-mission surface ships, like Sterett or Dewey, and incorporating the F-35B joint strike fighter aircraft. The additional capabilities help to defend against adversarial threats in the undersea, surface, and air domains, as well provide offensive firepower to strike from the sea.
Sterett departed San Diego Feb. 6 and made port calls at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii and Naval Base Guam before conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. The ship made port in Hong Kong where the crew participated cultural exchange events and tours of the city’s prominent landmarks.
Sterett joined the Wasp ESG and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to form the Up-Gunned ESG in April, and participated in a certification exercise (CERTEX) that served as the final evaluation in a series of training exercises, which ensured readiness for crisis response throughout Indo-Pacific region.
Following CERTEX, Sterett made one final port visit in Hawaii before heading east to its homeport in San Diego.
“I’m incredibly proud of the crew and all of their hard work over the last three months,” said Cmdr. Claudine Caluori, Sterett’s commanding officer. “They met every challenge head on, conducted themselves professionally, and executed our missions in the 7th Fleet AOR perfectly “We’re all excited to come home and be reunited with our friends and families.”
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces throughout the Pacific theater of operations in coordination with U.S. 7th Fleet to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability.
For more information visit http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg104
For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c3f/.
Date Taken: | 05.11.2018 |
Date Posted: | 05.11.2018 15:04 |
Story ID: | 276739 |
Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 109 |
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