USS Port Royal Returns to Homeport

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) returned to its homeport Feb. 9 after being freed from shoal waters off Honolulu Airport. An investigation has begun into the cause of the grounding of the ship that occurred Feb. 5.

Pending results of the investigation, the ship's commanding officer, Capt. John Carroll, was temporarily relieved by Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, commander of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. Smith temporarily assigned Capt. John T. Lauer III, of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific staff, as commanding officer.

Smith went aboard the ship the day after it grounded.

The Navy undertook three major efforts to free Port Royal and achieved success after removing about 600 tons of seawater, anchors and other weight.

Rear Adm. Joseph A. Walsh, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, kept the media informed throughout the weekend and held another press conference pierside shortly after Port Royal's return to Pearl Harbor.

"As I've said since the onset of this incident, our top priorities have been the safety of the crew, the safety of the ship and the safety of the environment," Walsh said. "To those priorities, no one was injured either during the grounding or during the efforts to free the ship. Secondly, the ship remains structurally sound and is safely moored here in Pearl Harbor."

Walsh noted that there was no leakage of oil, just a light surface sheen in the area. Coast Guard over flights of the area, including at first light after the ship was freed, revealed no pollution threat.

According to a Coast Guard news release, the sheen was marine diesel, a very thin fuel which burns off quickly in sunlight. "There is no threat to the coastline or marine life from the sheen," according to the Coast Guard release.

"The Navy, in coordination with the state, will conduct surveys in the area where the ship was grounded and develop a remediation plan if necessary," Walsh said.

The ship will be dry-docked to complete the damage assessment already begun by Navy divers and shipyard workers. A repair cost estimate has not yet been determined.

"I would like to extend the U.S. Navy's thanks and appreciation to the state of Hawaii, the United States Coast Guard and the Clean Islands Council for their help and cooperation during our efforts to free the ship," Walsh said.

"I would also like to commend the U.S. Navy men and women who worked day and night throughout the past three days to refloat the ship. Their professionalism and tenacity were key to our success."

The grounding occurred while the ship was transferring Sailors, contractors and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard workers to shore, via small boat. There were no distinguished visitors or flag officers embarked at the time of the grounding. Reports to the contrary are erroneous.

USS Port Royal was commissioned on July 9, 1994.

Port Royal Shoots Missiles, Hunts Submarines, Fires Guns During RIMPAC

By Lt. j.g. Cassidy Rasmussen, Rim of the Pacific Public Affairs

USS PORT ROYAL, At Sea (NNS) -- During Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008, which runs from June 29 through July 31, USS Port Royal (CG 73) fired nearly every weapon system aboard and tested every sensor in operations with ships, submarines and aircraft from the U.S. and seven other countries.

The Port Royal crew gained valuable experience conducting both surface and anti-submarine warfare operations. During one training opportunity, the cruiser worked with units from Chile and the Republic of Korea to track an Australian diesel submarine.

"It's really important for us to get real-world experience searching for and tracking diesel submarines," said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Tara Kerrin. "We have simulators, but nothing can simulate actually working in a realistic [operational] environment. The U.S. doesn't have diesel subs anymore, so exercises like RIMPAC give us a great training opportunity with other navies."

In another training evolution, the ship had the opportunity to fire an SM-2 standard air-attack missile.

"We have practiced it so much, but there's a point in the launch sequence where we can't simulate anymore – we only see it when it's the real thing," said Lt. j.g. Corry Lougee, Port Royal fire control officer. "We got to that point, and it was intense."

"The training is invaluable," said Capt. David Adler, Port Royal commanding officer. "The opportunities we have during these few weeks to see our equipment and people operate in real-world environments can't be replicated in scenarios. It's also a chance for us to see how well we can integrate with our partner navies and try new methods and tactics. RIMPAC is an exciting event, and I embrace this opportunity for Port Royal to represent the U.S."

Combined and joint military exercises like RIMPAC demonstrate the Navy's commitment to working with global partners to protect the maritime freedom that is the basis for global prosperity.

"I'm excited and really looking forward to this cruise," said Midshipman 1st Class Samantha Greco, who is from the Northwestern University's recruit officer training command unit in Evanston, Ill. Greco is underway with Port Royal for the four-week RIMPAC at-sea phase.

"I want to be a surface warfare officer, and this month is going to give me a snapshot of everything the surface Navy does."

RIMPAC, hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, is the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. It demonstrates the Navy's commitment to working with our global partners in protecting the maritime freedom as a basis for global prosperity and to ensure stability throughout the Pacific. Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear is the Combined Task Force commander responsible for overall exercise coordination.

RIMPAC has been conducted since 1971. This year's exercise consists of 10 nations, 35 ships, six submarines, over 150 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Coast Guardsmen. Participants include Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States.

Hopper, Port Royal Return to Pearl Harbor

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

USS Port Royal CG-73. US Navy File Photo

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Sailors of USS Port Royal (CG 73) and USS Hopper (DDG 70) returned to their homeport of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor May 2 following a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific as part of the Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) in support of the war on terrorism.

"It's fantastic to be home with the family and be able to take some time to relax," said Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW/NAC) Rex Farmley, assigned to Port Royal. "The deployment was amazing, the ship did a lot of wonderful things and it was very well-executed."

As the two ships approached the pier, Hopper was greeted with hula dancers and Port Royal listened to the sounds of the Army 25th Infantry Division Band. Family and friends of the two crews lined the pier waving 'welcome home' signs and cheering the Sailors.

"It's been a long six months, but it's a great feeling to know they're finally home," said the wife of a Port Royal Sailor.

After the ships moored and the brows were in place, the two ships each held "first kiss" ceremonies and Sailors rushed to greet their loved ones waiting on the pier.

"This deployment has proven that our ship is capable of successfully completing any mission it's tasked with," said Cmdr. Jeffrey James, commanding officer of Hopper. "Our crew has risen to the challenge of every task and performed superbly throughout our underway time. Now we are all eager to return to our Ohana and enjoy the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands."

Both ships departed NAVSTA Pearl Harbor Nov. 12, 2007 to join the Tarawa ESG. While on deployment, Port Royal and Hopper provided support to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, provided disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh after Tropical Cyclone Sidr, took part in operations in the Horn of Africa, and conducted maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.

Combined, the two ships made port visits to Singapore; Penang, Malaysia; Bahrain; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Phuket, Thailand; Palau; and Guam during the deployment. While on liberty, Sailors took in the culture and customs the areas had to offer.

USS Hopper DDG-70. US Navy File Photo.

USS Port Royal Visits Bahrain

By Ensign Cassidy Rasmussen, USS Port Royal Public Affairs


MINA SALMAN, Bahrain (NNS) -- USS Port Royal (CG 73) departed Mina Salman pier, Bahrain, Jan. 15 after an eight-day visit.

Sailors from Port Royal spent time reaching out to their neighbors on the pier, lending their technical expertise to train with the crew of the Bahraini ship RBNS Sabha (FFG 90).

Electronics technicians, engineers and gunner's mates on board Sabha welcomed their U.S. counterparts to train on their radar, electrical switchboards and torpedo launchers.

"It was a great feeling," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class Iva Schroyer. "It was an excellent opportunity to interact with a different culture. I saw that the way they do things isn't that much different from how we go about our own business."

While in Bahrain, Port Royal also hosted Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)/5th Fleet, and Rear Adm. Scott Swift, deputy commander, NAVCENT/5th Fleet.

Port Royal is part of the Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which is operating in the Persian Gulf to provide support for U.S. and coalition forces in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO). Tarawa ESG is in the AOO to provide support to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Operations in the 5th Fleet AOO are focused on reassuring regional partners of the coalition's commitment to help set conditions for security and stability. U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities, while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy.

USS Hopper and the USS Port Royal Deploy

Family and friends wave farewell to Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) as she departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor for deployment. Hopper and guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) deployed with the San Diego element of Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group for a six-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul D. Honnick)

Sunday Punch Monitored

An anonymous Hawaiian monitor caught callsign "Sunday Punch" (USS Port Royal CG-73) conduting a radio check on 328.200 MHz. This is the SOPA Harbor-Port Operations in Pearl Harbor, HI. Thanks Brian for the update.