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Jarrett Crew Members Ready for ESG Deployment Tasking

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030829-03

Release Date: 8/29/2003 2:59:00 PM

By Lt. Chris Davis, Expeditionary Strike Group 1 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS JARRETT (NNS) -- USS Jarrett (FFG 33) is a warship with a simple approach to its mission. "We execute," said Cmdr. Bob Hospodar, commanding officer. In only its first week of what could be an eight-month deployment, the crew is motivated to perform its duties as one of seven ships assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1.

Asked how preparations for an ESG deployment compared with previous deployments, Hospodar said the specific actions of the ship are "transparent." "We can perform anti-submarine warfare, we can do Maritime Interception Operations, we can do escort for the ARG [amphibious ready group]. All those missions are transparent to us. We get the call from the ESG staff, and we execute, we go out and get it done."

The crew agrees. "In getting ready for deployment, there isn't much to tell," said Gas Turbine Specialist 2nd Class Mike Lynch, of Washington. "We know there's a lot more taskers, especially with this being the first ESG. But we're pretty much in transit mode now." Lynch is no stranger to deployment readiness. Though a second class petty officer, this is his fourth deployment.

For other of his shipmates, however, this will be their first. "So far, it's not that bad," said Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class James Burns, of Indiana. This is Burns' first time overseas. "My motivation for joining was like other guys'. I wanted to see the world, and get the opportunity for a little college."

Lynch agrees. "My motivation for this deployment is to make myself marketable. I'm doing PACE courses, so that I can earn a degree."

Others have different motivations, demonstrating that, at the deckplates level, deployment is a part of the business of service no matter the battle group construct. Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Gary Neiman, of Houston, studied Spanish as he awaited flight quarters for recovery of ESG aircraft from USS Peleliu (LHA 5).

"I should know a little Spanish, since my mother speaks it fluently," said Neiman. "My girlfriend is from Mexico, too, so I want to be able to have conversations with her when I get back." Neiman is also a veteran of previous deployments. He entered service at 17, and this is his second deployment. "I just wanted to see what other opportunities there were for me. The Navy just seemed like the right way to go."

Jarrett is one of seven ships that gives ESG 1 the mobility and flexibility that allows it to perform missions across a spectrum of warfare. Through its training cycle in preparation for deployment, it performed a range of duties, from anti-ship and anti-submarine escort for the amphibious ships, to integrated training with Special Operations units working with the group.

Its speed and sensor capabilities were employed to help demonstrate the ESG's ability to distribute the firepower of the fleet more widely to provide enhanced presence, greater operational flexibility and reduced response time, for combatant commanders to perform simultaneous missions during conflicts or contingencies.

"I'm extremely proud of this crew," said Hospodar. "We deployed without any significant material readiness issues, and the crew performed exceptionally despite an accelerated deployment training cycle. We turned the ship around in a year, and I couldn't be more proud of the level of proficiency of this crew."

Jarrett is scheduled to return with the ESG in April 2004.