Guided-missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) returned to Naval Station Mayport Oct. 23, marking the successful completion of a six-month deployment to the central Mediterranean working for U.S. Africa Command.
The ship, with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 Detachment 9 embarked, deployed April 23 of this year and traveled to the U.S. 6th Fleet to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation as well as Operation Active Endeavor.
While on deployment, Sammy B conducted 18 underway replenishments, 22 small boat evolutions, hosted a flight deck reception in Gaeta, Italy and steamed more than 30,000 nautical miles. Sammy B set a new Navy record of 1,712 Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle flight hours in support of mission tasking, breaking the previous record by more than 800 hours.
Many Sailors found the deployment very rewarding.
Operations Specialist 1st Class Sean Gagne said, “It gives me great pleasure in taking part of tasking that made a difference and served our country well in the long run.”
Seaman Gavino Lopez said, “Being a part of the ship throughout the deployment made me feel that the little things contributed to the larger picture.”
The ship is named after Samuel Booker Roberts Jr, a coxswain who diverted enemy fire with his Higgins Boat during the Battle for Guadalcanal in World War II.
USS Samuel B. Roberts is the third ship named in honor of Samuel Booker Roberts Jr.
[mappress] Press Release, October 24, 2013; Image: Navy