Dewey-Sterett Conduct Unrep in South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 6, 2017) Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) prepares to join USS Dewey (DDG 105) for a replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194). Sterett and Dewey comprise the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group and is the third deploying group operating under the command and control construct called 3rd Fleet Forward. U.S. 3rd Fleet operating forward offers additional options to the Pacific Fleet commander by leveraging the capabilities of 3rd and 7th Fleets. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Byron C. Linder/Released)

Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group Operating in South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 4, 2017) Cmdr. Claudine Caluori, seated, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), Cmdr. Sean Lewis, executive officer, and the bridge watch team monitor a replenishment-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194). Sterett is part of the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group and is the 3rd deploying group operating under the command and control construct called 3rd Fleet Forward. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Byron C. Linder/Released)

Sterett Completes Strait of Hormuz Transit

By Ensign Steven Mulherin, USS Sterett Public Affairs

USS STERETT, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) led the ships of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 during a routine, scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz to the North Arabian Sea, Feb. 14.

Sterett, the lead ship during the outbound transit, was followed by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). The CSG 9 ships transited the strait to begin conducting flights in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Cmdr. Rich McDaniel, Sterett's commanding officer, said the transit was routine and professional in nature and was carried out without interference.

"Tuesday's transit played out as expected and was completed on schedule," McDaniel said. "I continue to be impressed with the performance of Sterett Sailors on this deployment."

An important element to any strait transit is the preparation conducted by a ship's navigation team, McDaniel added. He said Sterett's navigation team was well-prepared to lead CSG 9 through the Strait of Hormuz.

Lt. j.g. William Pappas, Sterett's navigator, and his contingent of six quartermasters spent hours combing through charts to ensure the ship's safe passage through the strait. They completed the transit without incident.

"My navigation team, comprised largely of junior Sailors, put a lot of time and effort into all of our preparations, especially for transiting the Strait of Hormuz," said Pappas. "Sterett's navigation team was able to plan and execute a safe transit through the strait, and I am proud of their performance."

Sterett and USS Momsen (DDG 92) are part of Destroyer Squadron 9, embarked aboard Lincoln. CSG 9 also includes Cape St. George and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2. CSG 9 is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of OEF.

USS Sterett Calls Tomahawk Missile Launch a Success

A Tomahawk missile launches off the aft vertical launching system aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104). Sterett is conducting a weeklong training exercise to test its tactical weapons systems in preparation for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez/Released)

By Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) Fireman Margaret Darton, USS Sterett Public Affairs

USS STERETT, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) successfully launched two Tomahawk missiles during a weeklong weapons training exercise in the Pacific Ocean June 21-25.

"The missile launch was a success," said Pablo Dasalla, lead platform test coordinator, who was on board to observe the launch.

According to Dasalla, the planning required to launch a Tomahawk missile takes three to four months to coordinate. The coordination involves mission planning, approval from different organizations, scheduling of range time and fulfilling requirements prior to the missile launch.

The ship's crew has been preparing for the past four months to maintain its mission readiness by conducting daily drills and training evolutions.

"We've been conducting a simulated land attack missile exercise (SLAMEX), twice a month," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Elliot Asmah, who is part of Sterett's strike group and was responsible for launching one of the Tomahawk missiles during their second day out to sea.

The missile launch became an historic event for the Sterett, as this was the first time the ship launched a Tomahawk from its vertical launch system.

According to Asmah, every year a ship is chosen to test the Tomahawk missiles, but there are many ships that can spend their entire lifetime in the fleet without ever shooting one.

For many aboard the ship, the missile launch was a lifetime experience especially for Asmah, who pushed the button that sent the missile soaring into the sky after a countdown.

"It was a privilege to be the first person on the Sterett to shoot a Tomahawk missile," said Asmah. "This will make history, and I am part of it."

Dasalla credits the flexibility of Sterett's leadership and its crew to the success of the missile launches.

"The leadership on board made things happen," said Dasalla. "The diligence and dedication of the strike team has shown their willingness to succeed with Tomahawk launch attack missile operations."

USS Sterett Commissioned in Special Ceremony

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick Grieco

BALTIMORE (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's commissioned the latest guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) at Baltimore's Locust Point Cruise terminals Aug. 9 - the fourth time in naval history that a ship bears this name. The ship can now directly support the Navy's effort to execute the maritime strategy.

During the ceremony, Greg Sterett, a descendant of the ship's namesake Lt. Andrew Sterett, was dressed in a colonial naval uniform, and left the 19th century warship USS Constellation, normally anchored in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, to board the modern warship. He brought with him not just his family name, but the spirit of his Maryland ancestor.

"Lt. Sterett was born in Baltimore in 1778 and [it] is fantastic to be in a town with such great nautical history," said Cmdr. Brian Eckerle, the ship's commanding officer. "He was a brave naval hero at a time when the Navy was a fledgling force. He is an incredible individual and we welcome his spirit on board."

For one Maryland Sailor, this was also his opportunity to shine.

"It's an honor for me," said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class (SW) Torell Beulah of Greensboro, Md. "I never thought I'd get to come to Maryland on board my ship and see my local Maryland citizens."

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit Beulah said his family is waiting at the ship's future homeport in San Diego.

The ceremony included speeches by Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, Gov. Martin O'Malley and U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

Eckerle said the ship's motto, "Forever Dauntless," is in honor of the third Sterett vessel, a Vietnam-era cruiser (CG 31).

"Their slogan was dauntless," said Eckerle. "We wanted to become part of CG-31 and carry on the tradition of the Sailors who cruised before us."

Veterans of both the Vietnam-era cruiser and the World War II destroyer were present to witness the commissioning of the next generation Sterett.

As Sailors manned the rails of the destroyer, bursts were shot out of torpedo tubes, speeches were made and then it came time to bring Sterett to life. Another Sterett descendant and ship sponsor, Michelle Sterett Bernson gave the order to bring the ship to life.

Moments after hearing the order, both the commissioning flag and national ensign were raised.

Quartermaster Seaman Apprentice Ashley Cochran, of the ship's navigation department, had the honor of raising a rather unique commissioning flag.

"This commissioning flag was from the Vietnam-era ship's ceremony," said Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW) Frank Mossely, leading chief petty officer, navigation department. "Normally the flag is supposed to go the commanding officer, but the signalman who raised it kept it."

Mossely said this same signalman contacted the ship after hearing about the commissioning.

"He said he would be honored if we flew his flag," said Mossely. "There is a great line of history here and this is just another artifact of that history."

Cochran said she volunteered to raise the commissioning flag because she felt a connection to the Vietnam-era signalman.

"To know that another quartermaster or signalman raised this flag up many years ago is very exciting to me," said Cochran. "Being so new to the Navy, it's an honor to be a plank owner. Many years from now, I can say I was here when the ship was commissioned. I could also say when I was 20, I raised the commissioning flag."

Sterett is technogically advanced warship, with several structural and electronic upgrades. One of the upgrades is a direct response to lessons learned from the attack on the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67).

"We have a stronger hull as well as improved isolation systems," said Eckerle. "This makes it easier to isolate chill water, firemains, or anything else we need to shut off."

Eckerle said the ship's weapons systems are the first ever to be commercial off the shelf technology. This means software and components can be changed out for newer high-end equipment easier.

"We can use circuit boards and software that are industry standards today," said Eckerle. "It keeps us modern and more sophisticated. It also allows us to bring the latest and greatest technology to the Navy."

Sterett was built by Bath Iron Works Dynamics Company and is 509.5 feet long and has a waterline beam of 59 feet. Four gas turbine engines power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.

Navy Commissions New Guided Missile Destroyer Sterett

The newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Sterett, will be commissioned Saturday, Aug. 9, during a 7 p.m. EDT ceremony in Baltimore, Md., at the South Locust Point Marine Terminal.

Designated hull number DDG 104, the new destroyer honors Andrew Sterett (1778-1807), appointed lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in 1798 and assigned to the USS Constellation as third lieutenant. During the quasi-war with France, he served with Capt. Thomas Truxtun onboard Constellation, capturing the French frigate L’Insurgente in 1799. By 1800, he had risen to the rank of first lieutenant. He was soon given command of the schooner Enterprise. In June 1801, he sailed Enterprise from Baltimore to serve with the Mediterranean Squadron and captured a 14-gun Tripolitan warship and her 80-man crew during the Barbary Wars. Sterett continued his Navy career until he resigned his commission in 1805. Three previous ships have carried his name: DD 27, DD 407 and DLG/CG 31.

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Michelle Sterett Bernson, a descendant of the ship’s namesake, will serve as sponsor of the ship. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Sterett Bernson gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

The 54th Arleigh Burke class destroyer, Sterett is a multi mission ship that can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, in support of the National Military Strategy. Sterett is capable of fighting air, surface, and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century.

Cmdr. Brian P. Eckerle of Jasper, Ind., will become the first commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Sterett was built by Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics company, and will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. The ship is 509 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 33 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.