USS O'Kane Returns to Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS O'Kane (DDG 77) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 8, following a scheduled seven-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command and western Pacific regions.

O'Kane was deployed as a part of Commander, Task Force-Iraqi Maritime, supporting maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"The deployment was wonderful," said Cmdr. Derek Trinique, USS O'Kane commanding officer. "The crew did an outstanding job in every mission, ranging from the 5th Fleet to the 7th Fleet. It feels great to be back in Hawaii and to be in command of this ship, and this crew is a real honor for me."

Trinique also spoke about some of O'Kane's operational activities while on deployment.

"We spent five of our seven months in the (Arabian Gulf), and while there, we helped protect Iraqi oil infrastructure, provided maritime security for coalition efforts and partnered with our allies to further enhance maritime security," Trinique said.

As the ship moored at Bravo Pier, Sailors were happy to be home as they were greeted by their families.

"It's great to be home," said Yeoman 3rd Class Jorge Cuellar-Lopez. "This homecoming experience almost feels surreal for me. Overall I think we did a great job on deployment. We went to some good ports, and now it's capped off with our return home."

Guided-missile destroyers like O'Kane provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and can operate independently, or as part of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.

O'Kane is a part of Destroyer Squadron 31 and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.

USS O'Kane Departs Pearl Harbor for a Seven-Month Deployment

By Seaman (SW) Rachel Swiatnicki, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 250 Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam July 9 for a seven-month deployment.

O'Kane is scheduled to conduct operations in the Middle East and western Pacific.

"We look forward to the missions in U.S. 5th Fleet, which differ somewhat from those we executed during our last (western Pacific) deployment," said Cmdr. Derek Trinque, O'Kane's commanding officer. "The ship will support ballistic missile defense requirements in the Central Command region, though I expect we will take part in a host of other missions as well."

O'Kane returned from deployment Dec. 16, 2009, after three months of operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Command Master Chief John Hall said that everyone is recharged, refreshed and ready for the deployment.

"O'Kane has been through an extremely busy, fast few months and a lot of things that we had to do. We stepped up and took care of all of our tasks," said Hall. "We even managed to put in a short leave period to give the crew a chance to relax."

Trinque noted how well the crew is prepared for the upcoming deployment.

"I think the amount of work they have done since the last deployment shows that there are experienced Sailors aboard and they are ready to go," said Trinque. "I know they are looking forward to the deployment where they can see the direct results of all their hard work."

Hall said he looks forward to the different port visits, "and having a very successful deployment for the entire crew while doing our mission and coming home safely on time."

Guided-missile destroyers are multimission surface combatants, capable of anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare missions. They operate independently in support of carrier and expeditionary strike groups.

USS Hopper and USS O'Kane Deploy

The guided missile-destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Honnick, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyers USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for independent deployments to 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility in the Middle East and Western Pacific Sept. 14.

USS Hopper deployed in support of ballistic missile defense (BMD) to the 5th Fleet, while USS O'Kane deployed under the Middle-Pacific Surface Combatant (MPSC) concept to support operations in the 7th Fleet operating area.

Hopper's crew will conduct integrated operations with various carrier strike groups and coalition partners deployed to the Middle East region.

"The crew has done phenomenal," said Cmdr. Timothy J. Kott, Hopper's commanding officer. "In less than sixteen weeks, they've done absolutely every single evolution there is to do in the Navy, and that's probably why we're deploying, because we've trained to do this and it's a return on our investment of training. I'd also like to just say thanks to our families, they've done a fantastic job."

Kott also expects to support the wider mission areas of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC).

Under the MPSC deployment concept, Pearl Harbor-based ships deploy to support operations in the 5th and 7th Fleet operating areas.

Cmdr. Timothy Steadman, O'Kane's commanding officer, will oversee integrated training while operating in the Western Pacific. Operating with the USS George Washington Strike Group will afford the crew of O'Kane the opportunity to improve their operating proficiency and seamlessly integrate into 7th Fleet's Naval Presence and TSC missions.

O'Kane will be conducting a Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) exercise while in 7th Fleet's operating area. This exercise improves the gunnery team's proficiency in shore bombardment to support troops on the ground.

They will also participate in an annual exercise with Japan. This exercise tests and supports the Navy's anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare/ballistic missile defense working relationship with the Japanese.

Hopper and O'Kane are under the command of Destroyer Squadron 31 and are two of 18 U.S. ships — three cruisers and 15 destroyers — fitted with the full Aegis BMD capability, allowing them to detect, track and engage enemy ballistic missiles.

The destroyers are embarking on separate missions but both will support maritime ballistic missile defense, a core capability of the Navy that will enhance deterrence by providing an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces and allies, while contributing to the larger architecture planned for defense of the United States.

USS O'Kane, USS Reuben James Depart Pearl Harbor for Western Pacific

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs



PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departed their homeport of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor Sept. 25 for a Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment.

The Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment program calls for nine of the 11 Hawaii-based surface combatants to conduct intermediate/advanced training and regular deployments in the Western Pacific, and is designed to improve the U.S. Pacific Fleet's war fighting readiness and effectiveness.

Friends and family watched from the pier as their loved ones set sail for the Pacific Ocean.

"It's what they're here to do," said the spouse of an O'Kane Sailor. "The best we can hope for is they come back to us safely."

"We're absolutely ready to do this," said Cmdr. Joseph Naman, commanding officer of Reuben James. "We've spent a lot of time underway recently and are trained in all areas, so this is nothing new to the crew."

Reuben James and O'Kane returned June 8 from a two-month deployment as part of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in support of the global war on terrorism.

Departing their friends and family after a short period of time can be strenuous, but the Sailors are ready for the challenges that are to come.

"It's going to be another great experience," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Adan Ramos, assigned to O'Kane. "We're all confident and ready to do everything we're tasked to do."

Guided missile destroyers provide multimission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups.

Frigates fulfill a Protection of Shipping (POS) mission as Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys.

O'Kane, Reuben James Join Nimitz CSG

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) and the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) departed Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor, April 18, to join the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Friends and family waved goodbye as the ships left the pier for a surge deployment with the strike group in support of the war on terrorism.

"I know it's part of the job, but I'm going to miss him like crazy and at the same time I'm more proud of him than ever," said a spouse of a Reuben James Sailor.

"Our leaving today is part of the whole new concept of being ready at any time we're asked to deploy and I think the crew understands that and everyone's ready and looking forward to it," said Cmdr. Joseph Naman, commanding officer of Reuben James.

Reuben James returned Feb. 22 from a six-month deployment in support of the war on terrorism, where they also conducted community relation projects in Guadalcanal, Tonga and Samoa.

Having to leave their friends and family behind as they return to sea two months after a major deployment is strenuous on the crew of Reuben James but the crew is still upbeat about another underway period.

"I'm pretty excited to get out there, go underway and do whatever it is we may have to do," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Stephen Coffmann, assigned to Reuben James.

O'Kane has been in Pearl Harbor since returning from a seven-month deployment in the Persian Gulf with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG on Aug. 20, 2007.

Cmdr. Tom Druggan, commanding officer of O'Kane, believes that despite the long wait between deployments, the crew is up to the task and ready for their deployment.

"In the end, this is what we're hired to do," said Druggan. "This is why the Navy maintains a ready posture throughout the fleet and we are answering the call."

One O'Kane Sailor said he looks forward to getting back underway and supporting the nation while at sea.

"I think all of us are ready to go out and do what we're meant to do, which is go underway and defend our country," said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) John Grunnels, assigned to O'Kane.

Guided-missile destroyers provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, expeditionary strike groups, and underway replenishment groups. Frigates fulfill a protection of shipping mission as anti-submarine warfare combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys.

USS O’Kane Returns Home from Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joseph R. Vincent, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

Guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) passes by decommissioned battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) as she returns to her homeport at Naval Station Pearl Harbor after a seven-month deployment. O'Kane deployed as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group on a scheduled deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric J. Cutright.)

After completing a seven-month deployment, Sailors aboard USS O’Kane (DDG 77) returned home to pearl Harbor on Aug. 20.

While deployed, O'Kane participated in a wide variety of exercises and operations, such as maritime and approach operations and expeditionary strike force training in the Persian Gulf and Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 off the coast of Guam.

“O’Kane deployed at a high rate of speed to the Middle East and contributed to stability and security of that region and set a one-day record for having the most approach and assist visits in the Arabian Gulf,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn. “She also interacted with the navies of that region, which helped build the capability and capacity of those forces to deal with maritime threats in their own waters. O’Kane’s performance was outstanding.”

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

Cmdr. Tom Druggan, O’Kane’s commanding officer, elaborated on her accomplishments during the deployment.

“The ship exercised every capability of surface warfare,” said Druggan. “We’ve done approaches and boardings for visit, board, search and seizure operations. We escorted a lot of high-value vessels through the Straight of Hormuz and conducted safety of navigation through the Straight of Malacca. We conducted a tremendous amount of anti-submarine and air warfare exercises during Valiant Shield 2007. Overall, it was a very successful deployment.”

During port visits, O’Kane’s Sailors were ambassadors to a variety of nations throughout the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Sailors also used these opportunities to relax and learn about local culture and customs.

“The crew did a great job on liberty,” said Lt. Cmdr. Erik Eslich, O’Kane’s executive officer. “They took care of each other, and they were good ambassadors for the ship, strike group and their country. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the crew.”

For O’Kane’s crew, returning home is filled with excitement and good memories from the deployment.

“This cruise has been an unforgettable learning experience,” said Cryptologic Technician Technical 2nd Class (SW) Jason Welch, who finished his first deployment. “There were many good times over this long deployment, but I’m ready to go home and relax a bit.”

Druggan said O’Kane will soon commence its post overseas movement standdown to give the crew some well deserved time off, especially after an extensive work-up cycle.

“O’Kane hasn’t been operational just for the last seven months; we’ve only been in port two or three months of the last 15 months,” said Druggan. “That’s a lot of underway time, and they really deserve their upcoming shore leave.”

O’Kane departed her homeport of Pearl Harbor Jan. 26 as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group.