• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Elliot Decommissions, Crew Heads Overseas for Final Deployment

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031204-09

Release Date: 12/4/2003 12:33:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Jessica O'Haver, Naval Media Center, Fleet Support Detachment, San Diego

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- After 26 years of service, the Sailors aboard the San Diego-based destroyer USS Elliot (DD 967) lowered the ensign and commissioning pennant as they departed the ship for the last time, Dec. 2.

While it's time for Elliot to join the mothball fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, her crew is heading overseas for a deployment aboard USS Fletcher (DD 992) as part of the Navy's Sea Swap program.

"When team Elliot sails home next summer and decommissions Fletcher, that sister ship will have served consecutively overseas for 24 months with four different crews. I am sure that this Elliot team will give them a great send-off as well, in traditional Elliot fashion," said Vice Adm. Timothy LaFluer, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Elliot's former commanding officer.

As for the crew, they know it's a huge undertaking to take on the duties of a different ship, but it's a challenge they say they're ready to face head-on.

"There's very few differences between Elliot and Fletcher. The differences are really in the details, slightly different combat systems and communication suites. We accomplished 'differences training' to deal with those differences when we get there," said Elliot's Command Master Chief George Dwyer.

"The crew's attitude toward taking on this challenge has been positive. The crew is very good at accomplishing hard missions. The Sea Swap program was clearly articulated, and folks are on board with it. They're looking forward to it," he said.

The Sea Swap program includes a total of seven ships. Four are Spruance-class destroyers: Fletcher, Elliot, USS Kinkaid (DD 965) and USS Oldendorf (DD 972), as well as Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53).