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Kauffman, Normandy Return from Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050926-08
Release Date: 9/26/2005 6:06:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class Stefanie Holzeisen-Mullen, Public Affairs Center Norfolk

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Family and friends gathered Sept. 25 to greet more than 600 Sailors from the frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as they returned to Naval Station Norfolk after successfully completing a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

Both ships were elements of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

“The character and resiliency of the crew was awe-inspiring,” said Cmdr. Kenneth Krogman, commanding officer of Kauffman. “Faced with operational and other challenges, their [the crew's] ability to adapt, overcome and work together as a team overcame all obstacles.”

The strike group ships departed Norfolk March 25, and conducted Maritime Security Operations (MSO) for the U.S. 5th Fleet and Theater Security Cooperation for the U.S. 6th Fleet.

Maritime Security Operations sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. It further denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. These operations pressurize the maritime environment by using coalition ships to detect, deter and deny illegal use of the high seas.

In May, Kauffman, in a coalition effort involving ships from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 150, under the Coalition Forces Maritime Component Command, assisted in the seizure of more than 4,200 pounds of hashish after a flag boarding team discovered the drugs hidden behind a false bulkhead.

“This seizure made the war on terror tangible for many of the crew,” said Krogman. “It made the long hours of surveillance, numerous intelligence stops and tireless patrols of the sea well worth it.”

Kauffman also took part in Exercise Inspired Siren, a bilateral joint MSO exercise between the United States and Pakistan navies.

While on station, Normandy provided anti-air warfare protection for the ESG. The ship also combined efforts under Coalition Task Force (CTF) 58 in support of MSO by conducting security support for the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals.

The remaining ships of the Kearsarge ESG are scheduled to return to their respective home ports Sept. 27 after unloading the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in North Carolina.

Returning to Naval Station Norfolk is the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15); returning to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., is the dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).