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MAYPORT, Fla. – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida, April 23, 2023, following an eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG, to the U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. 5th Fleet, and U.S. Sixth Fleet areas of operation.
Following completion of a four-week composite training unit exercise, Delbert D. Black deployed Aug. 2, 2022, to U.S. 5th Fleet. In transit, the ship integrated with the Egyptian Navy to complete a tactical movement exercise.
After transiting the Suez Canal, the ship joined the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) in recovering two U.S. Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vehicles (USV) stolen by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea.
As part of Operation Unified Takedown between August and October, the ship completed maritime interdiction and security operations supporting regional maritime stability through counter-narcotics and counter-weapons smuggling operations. During Unified Takedown, Delbert D. Black completed numerous visit, board, search, and seizure operations, seizing 7,200 kilograms of drugs worth an estimated $10 million from a merchant fishing vessel in international waters in the Gulf of Oman.
“Terrorist and extremist organizations use the sale of drugs to fund their operations,” said Lt. j.g. Curtis McDonnell, ordnance officer aboard Delbert D. Black. “Our drug interdiction operations have a direct impact on the ability of these groups to terrorize their own populations as well as those of our regional partners and allies.”
Cmdr. Adam Stein relieved Cmdr. Mark Gallagher as commanding officer of Delbert D. Black during a change of command ceremony in Qatar, Oct. 5, 2022. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces, presided and congratulated Gallagher on a successful start to the ship’s first deployment to that area of responsibility.
The Sailors of Delbert D. Black earned the honor of flying the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pennant for the first time in the ship’s history on Nov. 7, signifying all eligible Sailors assigned to Delbert D. Black were enrolled in the ESWS program.
“Being the one to raise the pennant was monumental for myself and the ship,” said Cryptologic Technician 2nd Class Rex Wright. “It was a culmination of all the hard work. I feel truly blessed.”
From November through December, Delbert D. Black and European partners provided maritime defense for FIFA World Cup 2022 off the coast of Doha, Qatar. The ship spent over 30 days on station deterring threats against the event.
“As a fan of the sport, it was a distinct pleasure to be part of the defense of the world’s biggest sporting event in our own unique way,” said Lt. j.g. Crown Muhoro, a strike officer assigned to DDG 119.
Delbert D. Black served as the Ballistic Missile Defense Commander for U.S. Fifth Fleet and for the first time in the ship’s history, successfully detected and tracked multiple ballistic missile launches. Delbert D. Black also operated with partners to complete multi-national USV exercises including Phantom Scope, Digital Horizon, Phantom Strike, and Sentinel Shield. The exercises demonstrated the ability of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence to enhance maritime monitoring by crewed ships and operators ashore.
The ship left U.S. 5th Fleet and rejoined the George H.W. Bush CSG in the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship participated in the NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike 23.1 and exercise Dynamic Manta, an anti-submarine warfare exercise series designed to provide tactical training and help build and maintain proficiency in sea control or sea denial from adversary forces.
Throughout the deployment, the crew had the opportunity to experience the regions of Rota, Spain; Doha, Qatar; Manama, Bahrain; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Civitavecchia, Italy, during scheduled port visits. Additionally, the crew hosted key leaders, strengthening U.S.-partner relationships across the theaters.
"Eight months and more than 50,000 miles later, our Sailors have accomplished more than Navy leadership ever could have imagined," said Stein. "Following the example of our namesake, we set out to have the most empowered Sailors in the Navy who set the standard in combat readiness. Our trailblazers have tirelessly worked to keep raising that bar to new heights and I am extremely proud of them."
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).
The ships of DESRON-26 completing deployment with CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).
The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the "Sidewinders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the "Jolly Rogers" of VFA-103, the "Knighthawks" of VFA-136, the "Pukin Dogs" of VFA-143, the "Bluetails" of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121, the "Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the "Grandmasters" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2023 15:24 |
| Story ID: | 443120 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 1,160 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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