Multi-Mission Chosin Departs for Western Pacific as Part of Maritime Strategy

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawai’i Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 300 Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Aug. 7.

Chosin will be a part of the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group providing the six-core capabilities of the Navy's maritime strategy.

Chosin's Command Master Chief John Ullery, was very optimistic about the deployment, noting that the crew and the ship are extremely prepared for the tasks ahead.

"The crew has exceeded all of my expectations, and they do a great job of carrying out their duties," said Ullery. "If Chosin is tasked to do something while on deployment, we will be more than ready to fulfill those needs."

Ullery also said Chosin Sailors will have the opportunity to provide a helping hand to communities during port visits.

"We will have many chances to participate in community relations projects, helping out underprivileged areas in foreign countries," said Ullery.

Chosin Sailors looked forward to completing the challenges that may lie ahead them as they transit to the Western Pacific.

"We are excited to see a lot of liberty ports, have a good time and carry out our mission," said Seaman Brandon Whitlock.

Friends and family waved farewell as they watched their Sailors aboard Chosin depart Pearl Harbor en route to the Pacific Ocean.

"It's bittersweet to see him leave today, but this is his job, and I just can't wait until he gets back home" said the wife of a Chosin Sailor.

"I'm really sad to see my husband leave, but it is something that I'm used to, and I just look forward to his return," added another wife of a Chosin Sailor.

U.S. Navy guided missile cruisers perform primarily in a battle force role. These ships are multi-mission capable, including air warfare, undersea warfare, naval surface fire support and surface warfare, surface combatants capable of supporting carrier strike groups, amphibious forces or of operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. Cruisers are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles giving them additional long range strike warfare capability.

USS Chosin, USS Chung-Hoon Return From Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul D. Honnick, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Hawaii
USS Chung-Hoon DDG-93

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and guided- missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Sept. 28, from a five-and-a-half month deployment to the Western Pacific.

The ships and their crew totaling 640 Sailors deployed April 16 as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and conducted maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet area of operations.

The commanding officers of both ships commented on the outstanding performance of their crews during the deployment.

“It feels great to be back,” said Capt. Steven A. Lott, Chosin’s commanding officer. "Our troops did fantastic and our Sailors did fantastic while we were deployed. We did lots of great work in support of theater security cooperation, made some great new friends in Malaysia, India, the Philippines and Hong Kong, and we played a really important role in supporting the war on terrorism.”

“The deployment was outstanding," said Cmdr. James Aiken, Chung-Hoon’s commanding officer. “We had 300 sea warriors on board that went above and beyond their jobs while doing a lot of interesting things from sea operations to operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf.”

The Arabian Gulf is a body of water more commonly known as the Persian Gulf.

In addition to providing maritime security, the ships also participated in humanitarian assistance missions in the Philippines.

“We had 120 Sailors participate in helping the needy in the Philippines by building houses and building community relations, which was a major impact not only for the people, but for the Sailors,” said Aiken.

This deployment was a learning experience for many of the ships’ junior Sailors, some of whom have never been on deployment.

“This deployment was my first one and I had the chance to see what it was like to work aboard a ship and to do my job,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Ethan Thomas, assigned to Chung-Hoon. “The deployment was long and some days were very hard and demanding, but overall I learned a lot, made good friends and went to places I never thought I would ever go.”

The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group consists of Amphibious Squadron 7, Bonhomme Richard, Chosin, Chung-Hoon, USS Denver (LPD 9), USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Milius (DDG 69), and 2,200 combat ready Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
USS Chosin CG-65