US Navy cruiser, destroyer return from carrier strike group deployments

Sailors aboard US Navy cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) returned to their homeports on May 9 after concluding deployments with their relevant carrier strike groups.

Returning to Naval Base San Diego with its 350 crew, Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain concluded a four-month deployment as part of the Carl Vinson CSG.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Sampson completed a seven-month deployment as part of the Theodore Roosevelt CSG, returning to Naval Station Everett.

USS Lake Champlain took part in routine operations in the Western Pacific and completed a historic visit to Vietnam in March.

Following operations in the Indo-Pacific region, Lake Champlain independently transited to South America and participated in Silent Forces Exercise 2018 with the Peruvian and Colombian navies. Crew members practiced tracking diesel submarines and jointly trained in other warfare areas to promote interoperability.

The cruiser made port calls to Guam, Vietnam, Hawaii and Peru. While visiting Lima, Peru, the crew handed out candy and played games with kids at a local orphanage. The Sailors also donated sleepwear.

Destroyer USS Sampson departed Everett to join Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Oct. 3, 2017. The destroyer provided seaborne protection to the strike group, escorted high-value ships, and served nearby communities during port calls in the US 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.

While deployed, Sampson participated in exercises with the Egyptian and Republic of Singapore Navies at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX). Sampson’s interaction with allies included hosting 12 international representatives during an “open house” aboard the vessel in Qatar during DIMDEX.

Sampson strengthened partnerships with the participating nations during combined exercises and gave the crew the opportunity to interact with sailors from the Egyptian frigate Sharm El-Sheik (FFG 901) during a crew swap event.