By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific Aug. 3.
While on deployment, Crommelin will participate in Pacific Partnership 2010 and Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2010.
Cmdr. Joseph Keenan, commanding officer of Crommelin, noted how well-prepared the crew and the ship are for the deployment.
"The crew is very excited and they are more than ready for this deployment," said Cmdr. Joseph Keenan, Crommelin commanding officer. "They have worked hard all year in preparation for this mission, and we are ready to fulfill our nation's tasking."
Keenan also said that Crommelin is ready to execute a wide range of operations if needed.
"We are looking forward to carrying out our tasking. Whether it is providing humanitarian assistance, working with partner nations during CARAT or working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, Crommelin is ready to go," Keenan noted.
Even though Crommelin Sailors were sad to say goodbye to their families, they were ready for the challenges that may lie ahead.
"It's always difficult to say goodbye to my wife, but this will be my fourth deployment, so I'm more than ready to take care of the task at hand," said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Terry Gilliam.
Friends and family waved farewell from the pier as they watched their Sailors aboard Crommelin depart Pearl Harbor in route to the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Partnership is designed to strengthen alliances, improve U.S. and partner capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and improve security cooperation among partner nations.
CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in the Southeast Asia region. Longstanding participating nations include Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Frigates fulfill a protection-of-shipping mission as anti-submarine warfare combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys.
