USS Chung-Hoon Returns Home

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin W. Sisco, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) returned home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) from a six-month independent deployment Dec. 1.

Families, friends and co-workers of Sailors aboard the Chung-Hoon waited pierside for their loved ones to cross the brow as the ship pulled in.

"It was a really tough six months, but I really appreciate how he called me and we kept in contact," said Relonda Begay, who waited for her boyfriend. "I supported him, he supported me while I was in school, so I'm finally glad that our six months is up and he's coming back."

While on deployment, Chung-Hoon participated in several missions including Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines, Naval Engagement Activity Vietnam, and CARAT Singapore.

CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Lt. Harry Bednarczyk talked about coming back from a long and successful deployment.

"It feels overwhelming," said Bednarczyk. "I am glad to be back. I was really looking forward to coming around the bend with the blind signals and all the whistles going. It brought a tear to my eye knowing that I was finally home again."

The crew of more than 275 Sailors conducted ballistic missile defense operations, as well as maritime interdiction operations and theater security cooperation, supporting the nation's maritime strategy.