Military

USS Lake Champlain Surge Deploys

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070127-03
Release Date: 1/27/2007 5:25:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel A. Barker, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) surge deployed from Naval Base San Diego Jan. 27, with USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as part of the Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Lake Champlain is deploying under the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan (FRP) and will operate in the Western Pacific in support of U.S. commitments in the region. FRP provides the U.S. with the ability to respond to any global commitment with flexible and sustainable forces and the ability to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice.

“Our nation relies on flexible, credible forces forward deployed, ready for immediate employment to address the challenges we face today,” Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio, Reagan CSG commander, said in a statement. “Being able to project forces both rotationally and through surge readiness makes us more effective and responsive.”

Lake Champlain’s short-notice deployment comes just six months after the guided-missile cruiser returned home from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific Ocean.

“The short notice to deploy is a challenge for the crew, though we are always prepared to go,” said Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Geoffrey Clarke. “We are always ready. As soon as we got the word we only had like two weeks to get everything laid out.”