USS Port Royal Earns Coveted Battle 'E'
Story Number: NNS030630-09
6/30/2003
By Ensign Horst Sollfrank, USS Port Royal Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- After a two-month maintenance period, the crew of USS Port Royal (CG 73) was finally able to paint the coveted Battle "E" on the ship's bridge-wings. The Battle "E" is awarded annually to the best ships in the fleet.
During 2002, Port Royal deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as air defense commander for Commander Task Force 50 and the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group. The ship returned to Pearl Harbor May 21, 2002, after the seven-month deployment.
Less than one month later, Port Royal was assigned as the flagship for Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 5, acting as the multinational force commander during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2002, spending another month at sea in the Hawaii operating areas. Port Royal and her crew then completed an extensive nine-week selected restricted availability and began the inter-deployment training cycle (IDTC) in September. To complete this work-intensive year, Port Royal was selected to circumnavigate Ford Island and render honors to the USS Arizona Memorial, during ceremonies commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941.
Mess Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Roberts said, "I feel proud that Port Royal won the Battle "E". It shows a lot for the ship and tells others that we can come together to accomplish a goal." He concluded by adding, "We worked hard during deployment and the IDTC; the whole crew earned it."
"I haven't been on board a long time," added Fire Controlman 3rd Class Saju Mathews. "Since my first days here, we were working hard with unloading ammunition for the five-inch guns, fixing casualties, and getting the division ready to do its part during our compressed training cycle. Life has been tough on board, but the hard work is worth it when I feel the camaraderie toward my shipmates and the reassurance that we can accomplish any mission we are tasked with."
The actions of Port Royal's crew in defense of freedom and her sustained presence on station in the Arabian Gulf and North Arabian Sea helped assure U.S. victory in Afghanistan. The crew feels the ship more than lived up to her motto by demonstrating "the will to win."
For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh.
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