USS Forrest Sherman Returns to Norfolk Following UNITAS

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) completed a three-week underway May 8, one that featured a number of evolutions with partner nation ships and a visit to South Florida for Fleet Week.

The ship left her home port of Norfolk, Va., April 27, steaming first to a rendezvous point with the French Navy frigate FS Forbin (D 620) for a passing exercise (PASSEX), then to UNITAS Gold 2009. UNITAS, the longest running multinational maritime exercise in the world, took place off the coast of Florida with partner navies from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

Post at-sea training, the ship was featured among an array of vessels at the Port Everglades Fleet Week 2009 where the ship participated in a number of events and community outreach projects.

On the way home, Forrest Sherman conducted a test of its ship's silencing capabilities and shot an REXTORP —non-detonating training torpedo — as part of a anti-subsurface exercise.

Despite the operations tempo, the ship still worked toward overall preservation, personal qualifications and even had a little shipboard fun.

"I am extremely proud of the way that this ship performed," said Cmdr. Wyatt N. Chidester, Forrest Sherman commanding officer. "There was a lot of tactical maneuvering that came with the exercises and a lot of opportunity to display Navy pride and professionalism during the port visit.

"I think in all aspects, Forrest Sherman Sailors rose to the challenge, learned a lot and enjoyed themselves [at sea and during the Fleet Week]."

For many Forrest Sherman Sailors, the three weeks underway felt like a mini-deployment, at least in the hard work involved, both in port and at sea. But they echoed the sentiments of their commanding officer, in how the experience was both a time to learn and enjoy the many dimensions of Navy life.

"Overall, I was able to gain a lot from this underway period, just in the tactical situations we were a part of and going through the procedures to work with the different ships," said Ensign Marvin J. Jones, the ship's main propulsion officer.

Jones and other junior offers were able to take the conn in a number of different situations of which they do not normally get to be a part, such as leap frogs with ships from the Brazilian and German navies.

Operations Specialist Seaman Stacey J. Longshore had only been on board a month, so the underway operations were a first for her.

"It was a little difficult to keep up at first, but I just jumped in and tried to adjust to what was going on," said Longshore.

Besides the operations, Forrest Sherman Sailors were glad to have been able to make a difference during the port visit to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"I think we did make a difference in their lives," said Interior Communication Electrician Kendale D. Hunter, who participated in a project at a center for disabled people and also a visit to a school. "It makes me feel good knowing that we brought smiles and were able to bring joy to their day."

Forrest Sherman will soon depart soon to support 6th Fleet operations.

The ship is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer based in Norfolk, Va. Her mission is to conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea either independently or as a member of a carrier or expeditionary strike group.

South Florida Welcomes Service Members for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2009

For my good friends in south Florida, another monitoring opportunity is available with the annual Fleet Week. To RW and all, hope you have some success and please pass along any news from this event.

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) enters port on opening day of the annual Fleet Week Port Everglades celebration. (U.S. Navy photo by Scott Lehr/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joseph R. Wax, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- More than 1,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen aboard multiple ships arrived at Port Everglades, Fla., April 27 for Fleet Week 2009.

The crews of USS Ashland (LSD 48), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Toledo (SSN 769), USCGC Tahoma (WMEC 908), and the Canadian Navy HMCS Preserver (AOR 510), as well as Sailors from Naval Beach Group 2 and Marines from the 2nd Marine Division, will take part in fleet week festivities from April 27 to May 2.

An opening reception was held for all hands at the Seminole Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, Fla.

"Fleet Week South Florida has become a tradition that the entire community gets involved with," said Joe Millsaps, the chairman of Broward Navy Days. "South Florida is famous for being a military friendly community. Fleet week gives them the opportunity to express their gratitude."

Hard Rock treated the service members to food and drinks while the Navy Region Southeast rock band, Pride, entertained the crowd.

"The ceremony was great," said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Joey Gonzalez, a member of the Fleet Week Port Everglades security team. "It made me feel really welcome to be here."

While in port for fleet week, the Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will take part in a damage control Olympics, celebrity chef luncheon, blood drive, community relations projects, as well as visit local hospitals and schools.

Forrest Sherman Exercises With South African Navy

By Gillian Brigham, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Public Affairs
The guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98)got underway with South African navy frigate SAS Amatola (F 145) for coordinated at sea operations Sept. 26, 2007.

Forrest Sherman and Amatola sailed from Durban, South Africa where Forrest Sherman was the first U.S. Navy warship to visit in more than seven years.

While the ships are transiting from Durban to Cape Town, the destroyer and the frigate will collaborate with South African submarine SAS Manthatisi (S 101), a South African C-47 aircraft and a U.S. Navy P-3 aircraft to conduct maritime security and safety drills. The two ships are also participating in a crew swap, with South African naval personnel sailing with Forrest Sherman and members of Forrest Sherman’s crew embarked aboard Amatola.

South African naval officer Cmdr. W. Combrink, is hoping to take the lessons he learns from the training and apply them to South Africa’s newly established Maritime Reaction Squadron, where he is assigned. The two year old squadron performs a variety of operations including force protection, littoral operations and diving and maritime interdiction operations.

“We were just established in 2005, so it’s nice to be here and learn new techniques and best practices and put them to use for our Sailors,” said Combrink. “It’s awesome.”

While onboard, Combrink and his fellow South Africans will participate in visit, board, search and seizure scenarios, accompanying U.S. Navy Sailors aboard Amatola as members of Forrest Sherman’s crew demonstrate how to properly board and search merchant vessels suspected of illegal activity.

“With so many unknown actors like pirates, smugglers and unlawful fishermen operating illegally in international and territorial waters, there has never been a better time for the navies of the world to work together in the interest of establishing safe, secure and prosperous oceans,” said Capt. Nicholas H. Holman, commander, Southeast Africa Task Group (CTG) 60.5.

The task group is responsible for building regional maritime partnerships in Southeast Africa. “The opportunity for the U.S. and South African navies to train alongside and learn from each other is absolutely invaluable, fosters camaraderie and is a lot of fun,” noted Holman.

Forrest Sherman left her homeport in Norfolk July 9, and operated in the Black Sea before sailing to Southeast Africa in September. While assigned to CTG 60.5, the ship will continue to operate in Southeast Africa, working to strengthen regional maritime partnerships to promote long-term stability and economic development in the region.

USS Forrest Sherman Arrives in Comoros

By Gillian Brigham, Commander Naval Forces Europe Public Affairs

MORONI, Comoros (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) arrived off the coast of Moroni, Sept. 12 as the first U.S. Navy ship to visit the island nation in more than 30 years.

The country is made up of three islands situated in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the east coast of Africa. Sailing as part of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s newly established Southeast Africa Task Group CTG 60.5, Forrest Sherman is in the region to build partnerships and promote maritime safety and security initiatives.

“Being the first U.S. Navy ship to come to Comoros in 33 years is a unique and exciting experience for everyone aboard Forrest Sherman,” said Capt. Nicholas H. Holman, commander, CTG 60.5. “We are thrilled to be here and hope to forge strong relationships with the people and government of Comoros. Safe and secure oceans are the building block of long-term stability and economic development for every nation in the world.

"We look forward to partnering with Comoros and other countries in Southeast Africa to combat maritime security threats like piracy, unlawful fishing and smuggling.”

Forrest Sherman left her homeport in Norfolk July 9 and operated in the Black Sea and Tanzania before sailing to Comoros. While assigned to CTG 60.5, the ship will continue to operate in Southeast Africa, working to strengthen regional maritime partnerships.