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USS Decatur Returns Following 6-Month Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060707-03
Release Date: 7/7/2006 8:09:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Joseph P. Gocong, Fleet Public Affiars Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Nearly 300 Sailors from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) returned to San Diego after a six-month deployment from the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific July 6.

Decatur was attached to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Decatur also conducted maritime security operations and participated in various joint and coalition exercises.

“The crew of Decatur made many significant contributions to the security of the waters in 7th Fleet and 5th Fleet, and their performance has increased the level of readiness of the U.S. Navy,” said Cmdr. John Steinberger, commanding officer of Decatur. “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our nation, just as our namesake, Commodore Stephen Decatur, did 200 years ago.”

Decatur participated in exercise Valiant Shield off the coast of Guam in June. The exercise tested the military’s ability to rapidly bring together joint forces in response to any regional crisis, while assuring regional allies of the U.S. commitment to treaty obligations and security arrangements.

While conducting routine operations off the coast of the Horn of Africa, Decatur rescued seven Somali mariners.

“I am particularly proud of the conduct of our Sailors on this deployment,” said Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW) J.C. Clements, command master chief of Decatur. “Not only did they behave admirably, they also contributed significant amounts of time to community service projects.”

Decatur Sailors are also proud of the community service they did and happy to be home.

“It feels good to be home," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Marisela Valdovinos, assigned to Decatur. “There is nothing like coming home from being underway.”