USS Arleigh Burke Returns from OIF
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS030611-10 Release Date: 6/11/2003 3:59:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Raema Lidberg, Naval Surface Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Va., June 11, after a successful five-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The homecoming marks the end of Arleigh Burke's surge deployment to the U.S. European and Central Commands.
The destroyer left Norfolk Jan. 7, as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), a month long training exercise conducted in the Caribbean Sea. During the later stages of the exercise, units of the TRCSG received deployment orders to the U.S. 6th Fleet, home based in the Mediterranean Sea.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Arleigh Burke launched 26 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles against regime targets in Iraq. In addition, the ship served in numerous U.S. and coalition task groups, escorted more than 80 ships through high-threat chokepoints, conducted Leadership Interdiction Operations in the Gulf of Aden and participated in counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa.
Sailors had the opportunity to visit Rota, Spain, in mid-February, and Cartagena, Spain, on the way home. Between the port visits, Arleigh Burke spent 90 consecutive days underway.
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