The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) departed Roatan, Honduras, Oct. 26, to return to its homeport of Mayport, Fla., wrapping up a Southern Seas Deployment to U.S. 4th Fleet.
Roatan was the final foreign port Underwood visited on this deployment and is the last before the ship’s decommissioning next year.
“It was nice for us to visit one final port before heading home,” said Chief Master-At-Arms William Tredick , the command master-at-arms aboard Underwood. “It was unusual because we normally do not visit a port right before heading home. This visit gave everyone a chance to relax and recharge and was a good way to close out the final deployment of Underwood.”
Underwood began its deployment nearly six months ago and has visited countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea while assigned to U.S. 4th Fleet.
“I am looking forward to returning home, ” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Carl Miller , a junior Sailor aboard Underwood. “I have seen and experienced many things since this deployment began and am glad I got to experience Honduras. However, I have been away from my wife and son for six months and I am ready to see them again. I think that most of the crew are ready to see their family and friends on the pier in Mayport.”
Underwood was commissioned Jan. 29, 1983 and is scheduled to be decommissioned in March 2013.
“I am happy to be going home but I feel a sense of sadness, in that this is the end of an era for a great ship,” said Tredick. “I will carry all of the experiences I have had on the Underwood for the rest of my life. This is and always will be a top notch ship in my heart.”
U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff,October 30, 2012; Image: US Navy