• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS McCampbell Arrives in Yokosuka

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070711-15
Release Date: 7/11/2007 5:36:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryan Reckard, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Japan

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- USS McCampbell (DDG 85), an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer, arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka (FAY) on July 9, making her the newest addition to the forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF).

McCampbell will take the place of USS Gary (FFG 51), which is scheduled to leave FAY and return to San Diego.

During the arrival ceremony, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Commander Capt. Daniel Weed welcomed McCampbell to what he said, “is the home of the most strategically important naval base in the Pacific.”

With the arrival of the new ship in Yokosuka, Commander Naval Forces Japan Rear Adm. James D. Kelly highlighted the importance of McCampbell's arrival in theater.

“It’s all about combat capability," Kelly said. "We’re all about improving our capabilities and that’s what [McCampbell] is here for.”

According to Kelly, while the combat capabilities of the McCampbell are a deciding factor in the ship’s success in Japan, so are the capabilities of the crew to adapt to a new culture, and maintain the continued friendship between the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).

“We need you to be warriors, we need you to be ambassadors, we need you to be citizens of Yokosuka,” Kelly said.

Kelly added, “We [the United States and Japan] are the best allies that exist on the face of the earth.”

“Team McCampbell is pleased to share your culture, and call Yokosuka our new home," said McCampbell Commanding Officer Cmdr. William Triplett to locals gathered on the pier for McCampbell's arrival.

During the ceremony Triplett and JMSDF Cmdr. Kensuke Chizo, commanding officer of JS Hatakaze (DDG 171), the JMSDF sister ship of McCampbell, exchanged ship plaques to recognize the friendship between the two.

McCampbell bears the name of Capt. David S. McCampbell, who earned 34 aerial victories during World War II, and is the Navy’s all-time leading ace.

McCampbell has an overall length of 509 feet, travels at speeds of more than 30 knots, and was commissioned in August of 2002.