USS Lassen Enters 4th Fleet Area of Operations

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) sails off the coast of Southern California after an underway replenishment (UNREP) with Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200). Lassen departed Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 6, for her new homeport of Mayport, Florida, after serving nearly 10 years as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Huey D. Younger Jr./Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Huey D. Younger Jr., U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) arrived in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to begin conducting counter illicit trafficking operations in support of Operation Martillo, March 2.

 Operation Martillo (Spanish for "hammer") is a U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner-nation effort launched in January 2012 targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus.

 U.S. military participation is led by Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South), in support of U.S. Southern Command.

 Operation Martillo demonstrates a clear commitment of the Western Hemisphere and European nations to work as partners to counter the spread of transnational criminal organizations, and to protect citizens in Central America from the violence, harm and exploitation created by these criminal networks.

 Operation Martillo is an international, interagency operation that includes the participation of 14 countries committed to a regional approach against transnational criminal organizations moving illicit cargo. To date, partner nation efforts have contributed to 57 percent of all disruptions to illicit trafficking and 60 percent of the metric tons captured as part of the Operation Martillo initiative.

 "We have been planning and training for this deployment for well over the past year," said Cmdr. Robert Francis, commanding officer, USS Lassen. "The entire crew is thrilled to be a key asset in counter illicit trafficking."

 Lassen departed Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 6, for her new homeport of Mayport, Florida, after serving nearly 10 years as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces.

 U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Lassen Returns from Final 2010 Underway

By Ensign Sean A. Brophy, USS Lassen Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, Dec. 13.

Lassen joined USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group during the past two weeks to participate in exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) navy and air force and with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) during Keen Sword 2011.

Exercises with the ROK military in waters west of the Korean peninsula were planned months in advance to increase the interoperability between the ROK navy and U.S. Navy. The two navies participated in highly coordinated drills including anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare scenarios.

The exercises also provided the opportunity for the U.S. to reinforce and emphasize its commitment to the Republic of Korea.

Following the completion of Korean naval exercises Dec. 1, Lassen took part in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.

Joined by the attack submarines USS San Francisco (SSN 711) and USS Houston (SSN 713), and the Japanese destroyers JS Hatakaze (DDG 171) and JS Hamagiri (DD 155), Lassen was the only U.S. surface ship playing the role of opposition forces.

"Taking part in exercises like these is what being forward deployed is all about," said Cmdr. H. B. Le, USS Lassen commanding officer. "Working together with our allies' military forces — particularly the maritime forces — improves our mutual interoperability and promotes regional security and stability in the Western Pacific. It also supports U.S. 7th Fleet's persistent priority to develop and build maritime partnerships."

Earlier this year Lassen was presented the Commander, Naval Surface Forces Battle Effectiveness Award and awarded the 2010 Association of Old Crows Outstanding Navy (Surface) Unit Award.

Lassen's very own Chief Operational Specialist (SW) Samira McBride was recognized for her individual performance when she was selected as one the Navy's four Sailors of the Year.

Away from its forward-deployed port for 201 days in 2010, Lassen's crew made several port calls to Saipan, Korea, India, Guam, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and locations in Japan.

USS Lassen will hold its sixth change of command ceremony Dec. 17, as Cmdr. Walter C. Wrye IV will assume duties as Lassen's seventh commanding officer. Lassen is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Patriot, Lassen Arrive in Russia for Pacific Eagle

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joshua J. Wahl, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Sasebo, Japan

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (NNS) -- USS Patriot (MCM 7) and USS Lassen (DDG 82), arrived to one of Russia’s largest port cities Sept. 24 as part of a scheduled port visit and in conjunction with the bilateral exercise, Pacific Eagle, to be conducted with the Russian Federation Navy (RFN).

Pacific Eagle consists of a series of maritime activities, to include mine countermeasures, aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region by enhancing the strategic partnership between Russia and the United States.

During the ships' stay in Vladivostok, crew members will have a chance to participate in friendship-building activities, cultural exchanges and community service events with the local population.

There will also be an in-port phase of Pacific Eagle, to be followed by an at-sea phase.

“I definitely believe in participating in this joint exercise so that both navies can learn lessons from our rich traditions and rich histories, along with promoting stability in the region,” said Patriot Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Shultz. “I am extremely looking forward to working with the RFN as part of Pacific Eagle.”

The Russian Pacific Fleet and U.S. Navy have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. This visit and ensuing exercise is expected to increase the level of understanding and partnership into the future, said naval leaders from both countries.

“We hope Patriot’s participation in Pacific Eagle will be a continuing trend to bring more U.S. Navy ships here for future exercises and build good relations between our two nations,” said Patriot Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Y. Shu.

Patriot last visited in July 2005 and conducted a mine countermeasures passing exercise (PASSEX) with the RFN along with fellow Sasebo minesweeper USS Guardian (MCM 5).

Many of the Patriot Sailors expect to make the most of this opportunity to visit and explore the surrounding culture.

“I have heard so many good things about the traditions and history of this port so I am really looking forward to getting out and exploring,” said Yeomen 1st Class Steven L. Hood. “I am happy to be here with the Navy because I know it is an opportunity to see sites very few people get to experience first hand."

Patriot has been operating in the Western Pacific under Task Force 76, which serves as 7th Fleet’s mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations from Sasebo, Japan.