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Crew Sierra Turns Over USS Gonzalez to Crew Golf

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060223-02
Release Date: 2/23/2006 9:26:00 AM
 

By Journalist 2nd Class Abraham Essenmacher, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Cmdr. Jack Noell, commanding officer of DDG Crew Sierra, turned over command of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) to Cmdr. Robert Randall and DDG Crew Golf at an exchange of command ceremony, Feb. 21.

Gonzalez is taking part in the Navy’s Sea Swap program, which is designed to increase forward naval presence by keeping the ship continuously present in its area of operations while swapping crews at six-month intervals.

The Sea-Swap initiative has enabled Gonzalez to remain forward deployed since March 25, conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the U. S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility (AOR).

MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.

Crew Golf, which is the original crew of Gonzalez, will bring the ship home to Norfolk, Va., once the six-month deployment is complete. Crew Golf initially swapped ships with Crew Lima Oct. 22, 2004, in order to allow Crew Lima to spend time training aboard Gonzalez before they deployed with the ship. Crew Lima was relieved aboard Gonzalez by Crew Sierra Sept. 20.

Crew Sierra’s deployment saw them travel throughout the 2.4-million-square-mile area, which spans the Persian Gulf, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

During this timeframe, Gonzalez supported the Dutch-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, the American-led CTF 152, and the British-led CTF 58. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer also conducted several exercises with various regional countries, all in support of MSO.

Additionally, Crew Sierra focused on the care and preservation of the destroyer.

“Because of the leadership on board, we’ve been able to give the Sailors a sense of pride and ownership,” said Sierra's Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW/AW) Allen Walker of Homerville, Ga. “When we turn the ship over to Crew Golf, it’ll be in better condition than when we received it.”

The deployment marks Gas Turbine Electrical Technician 2nd Class (SW) Allan Rivers second tour aboard the Gonzalez.

“I extended my contract to return to Gonzalez,” said Rivers, a member of Crew Sierra. “I first served on board for two-and-a-half years, and this gives me a sense of accomplishment to come back to my first ship.”

The Rockford, Ill., native also thought the transition of crews went well due to the communication with Crew Golf before their arrival. They communicated regularly through e-mails, keeping up to date with equipment installations and other changes, he said.

The Crew Golf-manned Gonzalez will now conduct MSO with Combined Task Force 150. CTF 150 is one of three coalition maritime task forces that conduct MSO under the direction of Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, Combined Maritime Forces Component commander, based in Bahrain.