From Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold
(DDG 65) departed San Diego, Oct. 2 for Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will
join U.S. 7th Fleet's Forward Deployed Naval Forces.
Benfold will enhance presence in the 7th Fleet as part of
the U.S. Navy's long range plan to send the most advanced and capable units to
the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, while adding to the Ballistic Missile Defense
capable ships in the area of operations.
The security environment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific requires
that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships forward. This stance allows
rapid response times for maritime and joint forces in any given situation, and
brings the most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power to
bear in the timeliest manner.
"We are proud to join the Forward Deployed Forces
family in Japan," said Cmdr. Michele Day, Benfold's commanding officer.
"After a demanding shipyard period and training cycle, our Sailors are
anxious to have an opportunity to prove their abilities among some of the most
capable ships in our Navy. We look forward to the waterfront camaraderie and
sense of community in Yokosuka."
Future missions will include maritime security operations
and cooperative training exercises with allies and partners in the
Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
This ship, along with her counterparts in the Japan
Self-Defense Forces, makes up part of the core capabilities needed by the
alliance to meet our common strategic objectives. The United States values
Japan's contributions to the peace, security and stability of the
Indo-Asia-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S.
forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with its counterparts in the
Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance
to meet our common strategic objectives.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific
from the West Coast of North America to the international date line.
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