USS Lassen Promotes Maritime Security in South China Sea

By Lt. j.g. Lauren Chatmas, USS Lassen Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) continues to patrol the South China Sea since the end of May 2015 in support of security and stability in the region.

Since August 2013, Destroyer Squadron 15 DDGs have operated in the South China Sea. During these patrols, safe interactions with People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels at sea, courteous radio conversations, and prudent shiphandling establishes U.S. Navy's commitment to maritime security and informs our Chinese counterparts the U.S. Navy intends to operate freely in international waters.

"It is a unique opportunity for Lassen to read about U.S. defense policies which affect the region and then be called to the tip of the spear to execute these policies," said Lassen's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Robert Francis. "These are priceless lessons for our young junior officers, and will undoubtedly shape them into the skilled mariners who will one day lead our Navy."

Additionally, Lassen assists U.S. Navy aircraft with safety of flight through the area. These aircraft have been queried throughout their flight, and these queries have become ordinary as the U.S. Navy conduct patrols in the South China Sea, a major sea line of world-wide communication for commercial shipping traffic.

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Smith runs the air controller console on board Lassen. As an air controller, she is one of the personnel responsible for the safety of flights. She sums up the experience as, "this is just another day at work in the South China Sea."

On board Lassen, in clear and perfect English, it is common to hear Chinese voices over the radio in the combat information center. Lassen conducts daily flight operations with her two embarked MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51, also known as the "Warlords." During these flights, Warlords are often queried by the Chinese. The pilots on the helicopter respond in a professional manner by reiterating they are operating in international airspace in accordance with international law.

Lassen, Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Yokosuka, Japan and assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.