USS Elrod Deploys to the Mediterranean
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS140114-07
Release Date: 1/14/2014 1:03:00 PM
From USS Elrod Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) departed Jan. 14 on a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of operations.
'Elrod will deploy to conduct theater security cooperation missions in support of United States Africa Command, and maritime security operations in support of commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. Throughout the deployment, we expect to conduct exercises with several African nations in maritime operations to include damage control, visits and ship boardings, medical drills, and maneuvering exercises,' said Cmdr. Brad Stallings, Elrod commanding officer. 'We very much look forward to working with and learning from our partner nations' navies.'
This is Elrod's 11th deployment since her commissioning in 1985. Elrod sailed in the U.S. 4th Fleet as an independent deployer from January to July of 2012. She was an integral part of Operaton Maertillo, seizing nearly $1 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana. Additionally, she rescued four stranded mariners who would have died without Elrod's swift assistance.
Elrod is configured with MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned air vehicles, port and starboard torpedo tubes, one 76 millimeter gun, and advanced SONAR and electronic warfare systems. Elrod will deploy with more than 230 Sailors and civilians.
Elrod was commissioned May 18, 1985 and her name honors Maj. Henry T. Elrod, a Marine aviator who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the defense of Wake Island in World War II. Elrod has completed five deployments to the Persian Gulf, three to the Mediterranean Sea, one to the Adriatic Sea, and one to the Caribbean Sea, and has participated in numerous operations in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the Caribbean Sea.
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