Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Chafee Deploys to Western Pacific

Families and friends gathered to say goodbye as the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Nov. 29 for a six-month independent deployment to the western Pacific.

Chafee, commanded by Cmdr. Justin A. Kubu, is deploying under the Middle Pacific Surface Combatant (MPSC) deployment concept in which Pearl Harbor-based ships deploy in support of operations primarily in the western Pacific under Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. The crew of more than 250 Sailors will conduct integrated operations in conjunction with coalition partners.

“The expectations are that we quickly integrate to the operations in the western Pacific and that we perform our mission as well as we’ve been trained,” said Kubu. “I want to make sure that we continue to execute our daily routine, that the Sailors have their professional goals and their personal goals they are working toward, and that we continue to communicate with our families.”

Chafee recently completed training in the Koa Kai 12-1 exercise, which included the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s helicopter destroyer JS Kurama (DDH 144).

Lt. Cmdr. Donnie Cates, combat systems officer, said the ship is expected to participate in a couple of multinational exercises.

“It’s really exciting,” said Cates. “It will be a combination of some of the training that we’ve been through in the past couple of months.”

Marta Riendeau, wife of Chafee’s Weapons Officer Lt. Edward Riendeau, said she felt anxious when the ship departs and hopes that the ship does not get delayed returning home.

“Hopefully they have fair weather to sail and that nobody gets seasick,” said Marta. “I look forward to all the interesting things he picks up as presents for the kids.”

Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants. They operate independently for support of carrier and expeditionary strike groups and surface strike groups. The mission of an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer is to conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea in support of national policy.

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Naval Today Staff, December 01, 2011; Image: navy