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USS Lassen reaches midway point in maiden deployment

Seventh Fleet

Journalist Seaman Tom Smith, Naval Media Center, Yokosuka, Japan
Posted 07/03/2003

ABOARD USS LASSEN, at sea - After more than five months at sea, Sailors aboard USS Lassen (DDG 82) finally crossed a point in the ship's maiden deployment they thought they'd never see -- the hump.

"When we left San Diego in January, a homecoming date was unknown, but the crew was ready for and have accepted the challenge," USS Lassen's commanding officer, Cmdr. Hugh Wetherald, said. "This is the best job in the Navy, we have a direct impact on the fleet."

Since their departure Jan.16, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer has been underway in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group.

The strike group was backfilling for the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group while they were underway in the Arabian Gulf supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now while Kitty Hawk undergoes scheduled dry dock maintenance, the Carl Vinson Strike Group is keeping the peace in the Western Pacific.

"This is a huge accomplishment for the crew. I have set a tone and a way of life for the ship," Wetherald said. "It's my job to make sure everyone has a happy place, and right now that happy place is being at sea."

In June, Lassen got the word their deployment had been extended. But Wetherald said it only motivated his Sailors, who worked on enlisted surface warfare specialist qualifications, completed college courses and otherwise put Lassen on the map.

"I want my crew to have fun while learning the ins and outs of the ship. We had to prove ourselves (to the fleet) that we were ready," Wetherald said. "We needed this time underway to communicate while trying to stay focused on the mission and stay upbeat in life. The crew is consistently phenomenal [at that]."

During this maiden deployment, the crew of the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class destroyer has been rewarded with several port visits, including Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Guam and Japan.