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Reuben James Returns in Time for Holidays

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081222-08
Release Date: 12/22/2008 5:57:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs and Ensign Kim Mai Pham, USS Reuben James (FFG 57) Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 220 Sailors aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) received an early holiday gift as they arrived to the waiting arms of friends and family on the Bravo Pier of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor Dec. 19.

The ship returned after departing Sept. 25 in support of the Pacific Fleet's Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment. While underway, the ship participated in Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines, and multi-national exercises ANNUALEX 20G and SHAREM 159.

"We were underway for the holidays last year, so it feels great to be home this year and spend time with family and friends," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Marcus Greene.

"If there was ever a time to come home from deployment, this is it," said Storekeeper 2nd Class (SW/AW) Ron Nacianceno. "My wife is literally right around the corner and I can't wait to give her a huge hug."

Family and friends on the pier, some dressed in their festive holiday attire, waved with excitement as if they were children waiting for Santa Claus as the ship moored and the Sailors walked off the brow.

"I'm so excited that I want to scream," said the wife of a Reuben James Sailor. "Having the ship come home is the biggest Christmas gift ever; I may even put a bow on top of his head."

Cmdr. Joseph Naman, Reuben James' commanding officer, was glad to have the Sailors back in Pearl Harbor to spend quality time with their loved ones after being away for the greater part of the year.

"We were gone eight months out of this year, so it's great to be back for the holidays so that the crew can spend time with their families," said Naman. "The crew performed incredibly well and did everything they were tasked to do. We've even been recognized by the fleet commander and the strike group commanders. That's a direct reflection of the crew and how they run the ship," Naman added.

While supporting Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines as part of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, Reuben James visited Legazpi, Republic of the Philippines. Sailors painted an elementary school with the help of Philippine Navy volunteers and distributed Project Handclasp medical and hygiene supplies to the City Health Office. The ship also visited Yokosuka, Japan, and Saipan.

ANNUALEX 20G was designed as a series of tactical exercises conducted between the U.S. and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces. SHAREM 159 was created for the testing analysis of sound propagation in relation to active sonar. During the exercise, Reuben James' sonar technicians received an abundance of acoustic analysis training while dealing with real world Anti-Submarine Warfare scenarios.

Reuben James is 453 feet in length, 45 feet wide and can go 29 plus knots. The ship is a multi-mission platform designed to escort and protect carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups, underway replenishment groups and convoys, in addition to conducting anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.