USS Paul Hamilton Departs on Deployment

From Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) departed on an independent deployment to the Arabian Gulf and Western Pacific Ocean.

While deployed, Paul Hamilton and its crew of more than 300 Sailors will conduct theater security cooperation and maritime presence operations with partner nations.

"We are proud, confident, and ready for all tasking Paul Hamilton will be assigned," said Commanding Officer Cmdr. John Barsano. "For many of our young Sailors, it's the first time they will live aboard for eight months and travel overseas. I could not have asked of anything more from the crew for this upcoming deployment."

Commissioned May 27, 1995, Paul Hamilton is the third U.S. Navy ship named after the third secretary of the Navy. His term in office included the first months of the War of 1812, during which time the small United States Navy achieved several remarkable victories over British warships.

Paul Hamilton is a multi-mission ship designed to operate independently or with an associated strike group. The ship is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21 and is homeported in Hawaii within the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.