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USS Lake Erie Deploys

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040826-05
Release Date: 8/26/2004 3:14:00 PM

By Ensign Jared Samuelson, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

ABOARD USS LAKE ERIE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Lake Erie (CG 70) got underway for its first deployment in almost five years Aug. 23.

Lake Erie's duties as the Navy's test platform for ballistic missile defense have kept her close to the Hawaiian Islands in recent years. The ship operated for seven weeks in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) last summer and conducted a training availability on the West Coast for six weeks this spring, but had not made a deployment since a 1999 Western Pacific deployment with the USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group.

The deployment will provide the ship and crew an opportunity to continue to hone the operational skills they exhibited during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, where Lake Erie worked closely with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as part of the Bilateral Force.

Given the length of time since her last deployment, this deployment will be the first for some Lake Erie crew members, even veterans. For her newest Sailors, the trip represents the culmination of the old recruiter's promise to "Join the Navy, See the World."

Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Russell Wuerffel reported to the ship in January. He has never been overseas and is anxiously anticipating his first foreign port visit.

"I expect to learn what McDonald's tastes like in Japan. I also expect to learn new customs," Wuerffel said. "Honestly, though, it is a little too early to have any opinions."

For others, this cruise will be yet another star to be added to an already packed Sea Service ribbon. Of course, that doesn't make the deployment any less important.

"I'm just glad everybody gets to go out and have some fun," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician 1st Class Donald Ling of Detroit, Mich. "It's good to get out there and operate."

Ling has been in the Navy just more than 11 years and was stationed in Japan for nine years. He's earned four Sea Service ribbons.

Lake Erie will be in the 7th Fleet AOR for four months. The ship will be involved in several large-scale exercises.

Operating with the JMSDF is nothing new for Lake Erie. In addition to RIMPAC, the ship has conducted a number of exercises with JMSDF ships in the last year, including during last summer's operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet and while en route to her training availability in May.