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USS O'Kane Returns from Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090210-01
Release Date: 2/10/2009 5:42:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 300 Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) arrived to a crowded pier of friends and family at Naval Station Pearl Harbor Feb. 9 following a four-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

O'Kane departed Sept. 25 in support of the Pacific Fleet's Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment. While on deployment, the crew participated in various exercises, including ANNUALEX 20G and the defense of Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf.

"I was really excited to see all my family and friends here," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Jeremy Cuthbert. "I had difficulty sleeping last night because I was so anxious to come home."

"The thing I was looking forward to the most was being able to hold my daughter in my arms," said Engineman 2nd Class Dustin Buckler.

Families were more than excited to see their Sailors return home.

"It is great to have him back," said the wife of an O'Kane Sailor. "I have been looking forward to this since the day he left."

"I could not be prouder of this crew, they have done so much to help support the ship's mission," said O'Kane's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Timothy Steadman. "The crew showed a lot of flexibility being able to adapt to every tasking that came to us."

"It's always difficult being away from our friends and family during the holidays, but the crew handled it very well like professionals," said Steadman.

The crew experienced other cultures as the ship made port visits in Singapore and Guam as they returned home.

ANNUALEX 20G was designed as a series of tactical exercises conducted between the U.S. and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.

Guided-missile destroyers provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups.