USS Benfold Deploys in Support of BMD

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) is nearing preparations for her upcoming deployment to the western Pacific and Middle East.

Benfold is expected to depart Naval Station San Diego Sept. 8.

During the deployment, Benfold and her crew of about 18 officers and 250 enlisted Sailors will operate independently from any carrier strike group, and will directly support the U.S. Central and Pacific commands as a ballistic missile defense (BMD) asset.

Commanded by Cmdr. Thomas C. Disy, Benfold is one of 18 U.S. ships - three cruisers and 15 destroyers - fitted with the full Aegis BMD capability in the Navy, allowing them to detect, track and engage enemy ballistic missiles.

Maritime ballistic missile defense, a core capability of the Navy, will enhance deterrence by providing an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces and friends and allies, while contributing to the larger architecture planned for defense of the United States.

As one of 20 destroyers that belong to U.S. 3rd Fleet, Benfold helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50 million square mile area of responsibility in the western Pacific as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Navy Completes Air and Ballistic Missile Exercise

The San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) fires a missile Thursday, March 26, 2009 during training exercise Stellar Daggers in the Pacific Ocean. Benfold engaged multiple targets with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA and modified SM-2 BLK IV missiles. The overall objective of Stellar Daggers was to test the Aegis system's sea-based ability to simultaneously detect, track, engage and destroy multiple incoming air and ballistic missile threats during terminal or final phase of flight. The Benfold's Aegis Weapons System successfully detected and intercepted a cruise missile target with a SM-2 BLK IIIA, while simultaneously detecting and intercepting an incoming SRBM target with a modified SM-2 BLK IV. This is the first time the fleet has successfully tested the Aegis system's ability to intercept both an SRBM in terminal phase and a low-altitude cruise missile target at the same time. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear announced the completion of the fleet operational exercise, Stellar Daggers, March 26.

The scheduled event took place March 24 and 26. Command and control of the participants in Stellar Daggers resided with U.S. 3rd Fleet based in San Diego.

San Diego-based Aegis destroyer, USS Benfold (DDG 65) engaged multiple targets during this multi-event exercise with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA and modified SM-2 BLK IV missiles. The overall objective of Stellar Daggers was to test the Aegis system's sea-based ability to simultaneously detect, track, engage and destroy multiple incoming air and ballistic missile threats during terminal or final phase of flight.

During the event, Benfold's Aegis Weapons System successfully detected and intercepted a cruise missile target with a SM-2 BLK IIIA, while simultaneously detecting and intercepting an incoming short range ballistic missile (SRBM) target with a modified SM-2 BLK IV. This is the first time the fleet has successfully tested the Aegis system's ability to intercept both an SRBM in terminal phase and a low-altitude cruise missile target at the same time.

Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), which includes Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), is a Navy core competency and a key warfighting capability for the U.S. maritime strategy, which calls for credible combat power to be continuously postured to protect America's vital interests.

Cape St. George, Benfold, Halsey Return Following Six-Month Deployment

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Donnie Ryan, Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Benfold (DDG 65) practice formation maneuvering. Halsey and Benfold are part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shannon K. Cassidy (Released)

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Halsey (DDG 97) returned to San Diego Nov. 3 following a six-month deployment as part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group (PELESG).

PELESG ships, which deployed from San Diego May 4, conducted maritime security operations (MSO) and theater security cooperation activities in the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Operation.

Capt. Jon Padfield, commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 (COMPHIBRON 3) and leader of the PELESG, said that Cape St. George and Benfold supported MSO through presence activities and interaction patrols in the Arabian Gulf, while Halsey conducted MSO near the Horn of Africa.

"Expeditionary strike groups deploy in order to give fleet commanders the assets to accomplish a wide variety of contingency operations including the delivery of combat forces, humanitarian assistance and non-combatant evacuations in addition to MSO," said Padfield.

"The Sailors and Marines of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group operated alongside our coalition partners to help provide security and stability in the region."

According to Cmdr. Thomas Disy, Benfold's commanding officer, the deployment provided an opportunity for the crew to use the skills and equipment they had trained on in real-world operations.

"We accomplished every tasking assigned by both 5th and 7th fleet commanders, including counter-piracy, weapons interdiction, maritime community engagement and security operations," said Disy. "As proud as I am of their performance at sea, I'm equally proud of their flawless performance ashore while acting as U.S. ambassadors during our six port visits to foreign nations."

During the deployment, Benfold made port visits to Phuket, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Hong Kong and Sasebo, Japan. Cape St. George stopped in Penang, Malaysia; Manama, Bahrain; and Brisbane, Australia. Halsey visited Penang, Malaysia; the Seychelles; as well as Fremantle/Perth and Sydney, Australia.

Cmdr. Robert Beauchamp, who assumed command of Halsey during the deployment, said he was proud to have served alongside the men and women of the crew.

"Their energy, commitment and passion continue to impress and at times, even surprise me," said Beauchamp. "No goal was too lofty, whether training for a professional qualification, studying for an advancement examination or working towards a college degree on their personal time while deployed."

"While this deployment was full of highlights, there is none greater than returning home, to the open arms of family and friends," added Beauchamp.

Dozens of friends and family members of the crews will also arrived in San Diego after joining the ships Oct. 27 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for a scheduled "Tiger Cruise" on the last leg of the deployment.

The other ships that make up the PELESG, USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), are scheduled to return to San Diego Nov. 4.