USS Paul Hamilton Enters US 7th Fleet AOR

By Ensign Ashleigh Share, USS Paul Hamilton Public Affairs

WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Feb. 19.

The destroyer is scheduled to conduct presence operations and good will port visits to enhance maritime partnerships and promote security and stability in the region.

"Paul Hamilton will strengthen and sustain invaluable global partnerships while operating in the Pacific region," said Cmdr. John Barsano, commanding officer, Paul Hamilton. "We are proud to serve our Navy and our nation during these challenging times."

The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR covers more than 48 million square miles and spans from west of the international dateline to the western coast of India. Vice Adm. Robert Thomas Jr., commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, is responsible for more than 45,000 Sailors, 100 ships and submarines, and more than 200 aircraft in the largest naval AOR.

Paul Hamilton departed from its homeport in Pearl Harbor, Feb. 14, for a training exercise and its deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. Central Command AOR. Paul Hamilton's last deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR was in 2013.