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Guardian Returns to Sasebo After Three-Month, Multinational Exercise Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050708-14
Release Date: 7/8/2005 12:04:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- USS Guardian (MCM 5) returned to Sasebo, Japan, July 8 after completing a successful three-month deployment that included three joint exercises and port visits in six countries.

During the deployment, which began April 16, the mine countermeasures ship participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Russian navy; teamed up with USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and USS Patriot (MCM 7) to conduct mine countermeasure procedures in Russian waters; and participated in Cobra Gold, an annual joint and combined exercise with armed forces from Thailand.

“These types of exercises are critical should there be a crisis where coalition action is necessary,” said Lt. Cmdr. Delbert Yordy, Guardian commanding officer. “It allows us to understand other navies’ capabilities and develop an interpersonal relationship with their commanding officers.”

Guardian also had the opportunity to visit Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Russia. The crew participated in numerous community service activities, highlighted by an orphanage visit in Pattya Beach, Thailand, and a painting project for the Salvation Army in Hong Kong. Sailors aboard Guardian said the experience was quite a positive cultural mix, one in which every Sailor was able to give something to the host nation.

Russia was perhaps one of the most unique experiences during the tour, as Guardian arrived in Vladivostok at a time when the city was celebrating its 145th anniversary - one day before America would celebrate the Fourth of July. The occasion was marked by U.S. Sailors joining Russian forces in a special wreath-laying ceremony in front of the Eternal Flame of the Pacific Fleet Combat Glory.

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Joshua L. Eddy was the Guardian representative in the wreath laying.

“It was an honor to be chosen and an honor to pay respect to the fallen of World War II,” said Eddy. “I think we all were able to pay our respects by being there.”

Guardian Mineman 1st Class Travis F. Meyer greatly enjoyed the Russian experience. It was such a welcoming environment, he said, that a Russian family invited him and three other Guardian Sailors to join them for dinner.

“The whole cruise taught me a lot about the cultures of the countries on this side of the hemisphere,” said Meyer, who had previously only been to Europe. “I was appreciative of how friendly the Russians were to us.”

Meyer served as officer of the deck as part of an all-enlisted watch crew that brought the ship back to Sasebo. Throughout the cruise, Yordy challenged his enlisted Sailors to become qualified for those positions, and they responded.

“They are the ones that made this crew great, so it was only fitting that they were the ones to take us in,” said Yordy.

Guardian is a mine countermeasures ship forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Guardian serves under Task Force 76, which serves as the U.S. 7th Fleet’s mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations.