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USS Halsey Returns Home for Holidays

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061228-07
Release Date: 12/28/2006 12:39:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Joseph Caballero, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Family and friends lined the pier at Naval Station San Diego as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) returned home Christmas Eve following the successful completion of its maiden deployment.

During its four-month underway period, Halsey worked with ships from the U.S. Pacific Fleet in support of the global war on terrorism by conducting patrols in the Southeast Asia region and participating in aircraft carrier support operations.

"The deployment went very well," said Cmdr. John Pinckney, Halsey’s commanding officer. "We worked with the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group where we participated in carrier operations. We performed as plane guard, and also conducted anti-air and anti-submarine patrol operations for them."

With its maiden deployment complete, Halsey and its crew will take some time off to enjoy the holidays with their family and friends.

"This is the best Christmas present I could ask for,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Waggoner, as he embraced his 2-month-old daughter for the first time. "This the first time I’ve seen her."

"I’m glad to be back. We worked hard and we played hard, but in the end this is what it’s about," said Waggoner.

Although proud of his crew's performance, Pinckney said the best part of Halsey’s deployment was returning to San Diego.

"It’s great to be home and see everyone reunited with their families," said Pinckney. "There are a lot of big smiles here today."

Halsey was commissioned July 30, 2005, at Naval Station North Island and is named after Fleet Adm. William "Bull" Halsey Jr., who commanded the U.S. 3rd Fleet during much of the Pacific War against Japan. It also holds the record for becoming surge deployable in less than 150 days compared to 450 days for previous ships.