The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., March 12 for a scheduled deployment.
Nitze, operating with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, is scheduled to work with coalition maritime forces focusing heavily on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts designed to maintain regional stability.
This deployment comes in the wake of countless hours of training, maintenance and practice.
“Our training was meant to closely simulate potential situations as realistically as possible, ” said Cmdr. John Bub , Nitze’s executive officer. “It was meant to force crew members to think through problems and face potential issues.”
“ Some of the problems the ship faced in training were counter-piracy related, as well as handling surface and air contacts,” said Lt. Chris Byrnes , Nitze’s operations officer. “It gave the crew a lot of operational experience to make sure they were ready for deployment.”
Commissioned in 2005, Nitze has deployed twice to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility and is ready for the challenges they may face on this deployment.
“ Nitze established a great reputation during previous deployments,” said Byrnes. “ The commanding officer and the crew expect to meet and exceed expectations placed on them.”
“The crew performed above expectations in every aspect of our training,” said Bub. “We are more than prepared to face any challenges that come our way during deployment.”
For the crew, the deployment will be business as usual.
“I expect the crew to perform in the manner in which they have been trained,” said Bub. “The crew has been trained on every aspect of the ship and are prepared to use what they know, including the combat systems, if necessary.”
Since returning from a month-long training exercise earlier this year, Nitze has gotten several new crew members.
“We expect the new crew members to successfully and fully integrate with the crew,” said Byrnes.
Upon arriving in the 5th and 6th fleet areas of responsibility, the crew will be ready to perform any task asked of them.
“When we arrive, we will be ready to go anywhere and perform any duties asked of us at a moment’s notice,” said Byrnes.
The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group is comprised of Enterprise, Carrier Air Wing (CVW 1), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and guided-missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Nitze (DDG 94) and USS Porter (DDG 95).
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , March 15, 2012; Image: navy