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Hayler's Colors Lowered for Last Time

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030827-06

Release Date: 8/27/2003 11:54:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Heather Hines, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- With crew members requesting one last trip to shore and the American flag lowering for the final time, USS Hayler (DD 997) was stricken from the active naval ship registry following a decommissioning ceremony Aug. 25 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

Rear Adm. (sel.) Alan B. Hicks, commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center, and deputy commander, Warfare Systems Engineering at Naval Sea Systems Command, was the guest speaker for the event. Hicks served as commanding officer of Hayler from January 1994 to November 1995.

"I am grateful that I have become a part, albeit a small one, of the Hayler legacy, and that I had the opportunity to challenge myself to live up to the ideals and standards demonstrated so many times by Adm. Hayler," said Hicks. "I am confident the admiral would be proud of what has been accomplished by this ship and her crew during her relatively brief service to the country."

The last year has produced some memorable moments for the 20-year-old ship, under the command of Cmdr. Mark J. Hellstern.

Hayler deployed to the Eastern Pacific conducting counter-drug operations for two months in April 2003. During the deployment, Hayler's interdiction, presence and intelligence gathering denied drug traffickers passage via sea routes. Hellstern spoke of Hayler's many accomplishments during his command, but he was most grateful to the crew that has served with him.

"My tour has been successful due to the leadership, hard work and professional support from my wardroom, chief's mess, and crew," said Hellstern. "I remain deeply grateful that the Navy gave me a chance to command, and it truly was the culmination of a dream." Hellstern will go on to serve as the reactor officer aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

In October of 2001, Hayler deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Hayler was the first ship in 20 years to conduct boardings of suspected terrorist smuggling vessels in the Mediterranean. In 2002, Hayler was also awarded the Arleigh Burke Fleet Award for the most improved unit in battle efficiency in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet during 2001.

Hayler was built in Pascagoula, Miss., at Ingalls Shipbuilding Incorporated and commissioned March 5, 1983. As a Spruance-class destroyer, Hayler provides multimission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.