USS DeWert Returns Home After Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060502-12
Release Date: 5/2/2006 11:00:00 PM
From Ensign Paige Sellers, USS DeWert Public Affairs
MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- After five months patrolling the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea conducting counter-narco-terrorism operations for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, USS DeWert (FFG 45) returned home to family and friends April 28.
During its 115 days away from home, DeWert traveled nearly 28,000 nautical miles, visited seven cities in the Caribbean, Central America and United States, transited twice through the Panama Canal, and participated in a multinational operation with three other countries. DeWert’s crew agreed that their deployment was an overall success.
“Everyone met every challenge with tremendous resilience and professionalism. I could not be more proud of the job this team has done,” said DeWert’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. M. J. DeClue, from Cocoa Beach, Fla. “This crew bonded seamlessly with the helicopter and law enforcement detachments. They are a well-trained, skilled crew that has done a magnificent job.”
The ship’s accomplishments during the five-month deployment were shared by Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 48, Detachment 9, also from Mayport, and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) 401, 406, and 402, based out of Miami.
As the deployment progressed, each of these units were vital in the success of carrying out each task, whether it was LEDETs leading boarding efforts or the helicopter conducting air surveillance.
“Team DeWert was able to accomplish our counter-narco-terrorism mission on this deployment through the hard work and dedication of her crew,” said Operations Officer Lt. Pete Chaveriat, from Chicago. “They rose up to every challenge and overcame all of them. Though the deployment had a tough beginning, we finished it strong, and we are a better crew for having made it together.”
The “tough beginning” refers to the tragedy of losing the embarked SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter Venom 505 and its crew into the Pacific Ocean just one week into the deployment. After the search and rescue efforts had been exhausted, the crew assembled on the flight deck to pay their respects in a symbolic burial-at-sea memorial service for Lt. Chris Snyder of Princeton, N.J., Lt. j.g. Nick Juron of Latham, N.Y., and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class John Kaye of Traer, Iowa.
“Chris, Nick, and John are in our thoughts every day, and at the completion of this deployment, we are proud of the successes and accomplishments resulting from their sacrifice and the detachment’s hard work,” said HSL-48 Maintenance Officer Lt. Thomas Eisenstatt, from Harrison City, Pa.
The ship’s Sailors, LEDET and air crew agreed that the two high-speed “go-fast” chases, unannounced nighttime vessel boardings, and other boardings were the highlights of the cruise. They collectively said, “It felt like we were really doing something down here.”
“My favorite part of this deployment was after we caught the go-fast and brought the drugs and detainees on board,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Kevin Vanderbilt from Bellport, N.Y.
DeWert and the embarked LEDETs successfully boarded five suspect vessels throughout the deployment based on intelligence received, with some searches lasting up to two full days of searching every potential tank and void that may have held contraband.
“Boardings are dangerous,” said Chief Fire Controlman Scott Haas, of Lenior, N.C., a member of the ship’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Team. "Each LEDET was very professional and took charge of the situation." Once the LEDET members had control of the vessel in question, the VBSS Team would provide any additional support needed. “We used our training effectively and efficiently to provide security for the LEDET to search for contraband,” said Haas.
The LEDET was also crucial in processing 80 Ecuadorian migrants rescued at sea, attending to potential medical, security and safety issues. The VBSS Team stood watch around-the-clock with LEDET personnel, ensuring both the safety of the crew and the migrants while DeWert transited to take them home. In addition to the migrants, DeWert was responsible for guarding 17 detainees from both drug trafficking and human trafficking, and 260 bales of contraband stored in the ship’s torpedo magazine.
Just before pulling into Mayport for a mid-deployment maintenance period in February, DeWert received national tasking to anchor off the coast of Port Au Prince, Haiti, during that county’s elections. The ship’s presence was intended to show U.S. support for the elections and help local authorities preserve order if necessary. When finished with the forward presence mission in Haiti, DeWert transited home for two weeks to get the ship back up to full readiness to continue patrolling.
The pace of operations eased during the second half of deployment. During the slower periods DeWert focused internally on training and preparing for the upcoming Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) visit in July.
“The second half of deployment afforded us the opportunity to have a rigorous training program, at times doubling the number of training events for a typical deployment-month," said Training Officer Lt. j.g. Justin Popso, from Ashtabula, Ohio. "We should all have a sense of pride for what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last two months.”
In addition to intense training evolutions, DeWert participated in a multinational operation, Operation Contra-Ataque with three other countries as part of an ongoing effort to enhance theater security cooperation among nations in the region. Nicaragua and Costa Rica each sent one rider to DeWert, and the three countries, along with representatives from Panama, worked together for two weeks on anti-terrorism and anti-drug efforts.
As with any deployment, the crew was able to get some rest and relaxation during the ship’s port visits to Key West, Panama, Guantanamo Bay, Curacao, Aruba and Miami. The crew enjoyed spending their time on the beaches, shopping, gambling and enjoying some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world.
“From the rush of two 30-knot go-fast chases and numerous covert, nighttime boardings, this deployment has had it all,” added DeClue. “None of us will ever forget the devastation of losing our shipmates, but we rebounded and focused on our mission.”
DeWert sailed into the Mayport Basin April 28 for a homecoming reception on the pier with friends and families.
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