USS Halsey Returns to San Diego from Independent Deployment

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Halsey (DDG 97) returned to San Diego following an independent six-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Western Pacific areas of responsibility (AOR), March 14.

Halsey participated in a Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in the Republic of the Philippines, Joint Task Force Presidential Support operations for President Barack Obama's first visit to Indonesia, and conducted counter-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea.

"This deployment has been tremendously successful, and our team performed as professionals and patriots," said Cmdr. Jordy Harrison, USS Halsey commanding officer. "A Navy deployment is unique amongst the armed services, in that it not only serves to defend our homeland, but also enables us to represent America as ambassadors and symbols of strength; we accomplished this mission."

On its way to the CENTCOM AOR, Halsey transited the Strait of Malacca and joined forces with USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), providing air defense control and maritime defense duties. Halsey also operated with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91) and the French frigate Forbin (D 620).

"Halsey traveled nearly half way around the world and displayed one of the world's finest warships to six different countries across two oceans," said Harrison. "We symbolized freedom and American resolve, reinforced our allies and deterred adversaries everywhere we traveled. Halsey fully executed the mission thanks to the 300 professional warriors on board and the hundreds of family members supporting them ashore."

Halsey crewmembers volunteered more than 400 man-hours and engaged in five community relations projects to help improve communities in the countries they visited.

Halsey helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile AOR in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.