By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) departed their homeport of Naval Station Pearl Harbor March 24 to join the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
Friends and family waved goodbye as the ship left the pier for a regularly scheduled deployment with the strike group in support of the war on terrorism.
"It's a pretty powerful feeling to see them leave," said a spouse of a Russell Sailor. "We recently found out I'm pregnant, so I can't wait for them to come back to celebrate."
Cmdr. Jeff Weston, commanding officer, Russell, believes the crew is capable of completing any and all tasks they may receive during the deployment.
"We are a multi-mission destroyer and we are given many different missions during a deployment," said Weston. "I always tell the crew we're going to go where we're told to go and when that time comes, we'll be ready."
The crew of Russell looks forward to getting back underway, carrying out the tasks assigned to them and visiting foreign countries during port visits.
"It's exciting and I try to make the best of it even though I have to leave my family behind," said Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Julio Cortez. "Every deployment I look forward to going to new places, seeing different cultures and supporting our country."
Prior to deploying, Russell participated in a Composite Training Unit Exercise and a Joint Task Force Exercise to hone their skills and become certified in mission areas.
"Both the exercises helped prepare the ship in the mission areas and made sure we were certified for deployment. Everything we can imagine to do during a deployment, they do in order to prepare you for deployment," said Weston.
Russell is 505 feet in length, 66 feet wide and has a maximum speed of 30 plus knots. The primary mission of Russell is to destroy enemy aircraft, missiles, submarines, surface ships, and land targets. Russell is normally assigned to a carrier strike group and brings significant capabilities to the battle force, carrying the latest technology in all areas of modern warfare.
