Patriot Returns to Sasebo after Almost Four Months Underway
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090612-16
Release Date: 6/12/2009 9:56:00 PM
By Mineman 3rd Class J'myle Koretz, USS Patriot Public Affairs
SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- The Avenger-class, mine countermeasure ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) returned to Sasebo June 7 after almost four months at sea.
The ship's spring schedule included major certifications, a bilateral mine countermeasure exercise, a major maintenance availability and port visits throughout 7th Fleet's Area of Operations.
"This has been the furthest patrol south by a FDNF (Forward Deployed Naval Forces) minesweeper that we know of," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Y. Shu, commanding officer of Patriot. "We've pushed our limits, and I think in the next year we'll see this cruise setting a new standard for how far our minesweepers can go in Asia."
The ship represented the U.S. Navy in exercise Foal Eagle 2009 in Chinhae, South Korea. Since February, Patriot visited nine ports in six countries, including a stop in Ishigaki, Japan, and Bali, Indonesia.
"I'm proud we can represent the Navy so well in so many places," said Mineman 1st Class Travis Hutchens. "But it's great to pull in and see the smiles on our loved ones' faces."
The spouses and children of the 100-member crew were pierside to welcome the Patriot Sailors home.
Patriot is forward deployed to Sasebo and is assigned to Combined Task Force 76, which is 7th Fleet's amphibious force. Operating in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, 7th Fleet, the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, covers 52 million square miles with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines.
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