• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Vella Gulf Returns from Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS140921-01
Release Date: 9/21/2014 8:48:00 AM

By Ensign Karina M. Loor, USS Vella Gulf Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) returned to its Naval Station Norfolk homeport on Sept. 20 after a six-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Operations.

Vella Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, Va., deployed March 14, 2014, to conduct naval operations with allies and regional partners in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

'I am extremely proud of our accomplishments throughout this deployment. Our performance both ashore and at sea adhered to the highest standards of excellence,' said Capt. Robert D. Katz, Vella Gulf's commanding officer. 'The crew worked long, hard hours prior to our departure from Norfolk, and I attribute their training, perseverance, and dedication to our successes these past six months.'

During the course of her deployment, Vella Gulf conducted naval exercises with partners in the region. Evolutions included joint visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations, live-fire proficiency, aviation operations, personnel exchanges, shiphandling exercises, and flag hoist drills.

Vella Gulf also had the unique opportunity to host several VIPs, including a visit from the Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Chuck Hagel, in Constanta, Romania. In Batumi, Georgia, the ship hosted distinguished guests Prime Minister of the Republic of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, Georgian Minister of Defense, Iraklii Alasania, and U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland.

She conducted 15 port visits to 9 different countries, to include Scotland, Italy, Cyprus, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Turkey, and Georgia. These visits served the purpose of enhancing relations with each of these countries while affording the crew the opportunity to explore their culture and history.

'This was my first deployment and it was a pleasant experience,' said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Gerald Raymond Green. 'I saw beautiful countries and experienced a range of cultures.'

'Our three journeys into the Black Sea and visits to nine different countries is one that very few get to experience on a deployment,' said Katz. 'We are thankful and enjoyed the opportunity to understand different cultures, participate in coalition exercises, and strengthen maritime partnerships throughout the 6th Fleet. Our deployment was definitely one that can be defined as 'Join the Navy, See the World.''

'I am very proud of the crew's performance during this deployment,' said Vella Gulf's Command Master Chief, Scott Nagle. 'Their pride and professionalism, teamwork, and professional accomplishments are all
noteworthy. They represented the Navy and the United States well both on and off duty.'

Commissioned in 1993, Vella Gulf is named after the World War II Battle of Vella Gulf, one of the last and most decisive battles in The Solomons campaign. It was the first time that destroyers were used as an independent striking force, free from responsibilities for screening battleships and cruisers. American forces experienced no combat-related damage to ships or crews while the enemy suffered a humiliating defeat and never again attempted to resupply through Vella Gulf.