USS O'Kane Departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (EXW) Donald W. Randall, Navy Region Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a deployment in the western Pacific March 23.

The crew of more than 250 Sailors plans to conduct integrated operations in conjunction with coalition partners deployed to the Western Pacific.

"O'Kane has prepared for this deployment for more than a year, and we are returning to a theater we know well," said O'Kane Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Ray. "The unique capabilities of this ship afford us the opportunity to make a real contribution to the peace and security of that region. I am extremely proud of the crew for the work they have done to prepare for this day and feel honored to stand beside them as we head over the horizon."

O'Kane, is deployed under the Middle Pacific Surface Combatant (MPSC) deployment concept in which Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam based ships deploy in support of operations primarily in the western Pacific under Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet.

"I am really excited about all of our port visits because I have been to none of them before," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Donovan Nuusolia. "My goals for this deployment are to get my surface warfare pin and make rank."

Nuusolia's wife, Lynne Nuusolia, and their children were pierside to see him off.

"I plan to keep my kids healthy and be both mom and dad, said Lynne. "I want to take care of everything so he has nothing to worry about and can concentrate on his objectives."

Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants. They operate independently for support of carrier and expeditionary strike groups and surface strike groups.

Japan, U.S. Naval Ships Complete Dynamic Koa Kai Training

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Hawaii

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Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (NNS) -- Hawaii-based Destroyer Squadron 31 completed a week of dynamic training as ships returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Nov. 17-18, from the latest Koa Kai exercise in Hawaiian waters.

It was the first time U.S. Navy ships were joined by a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) surface ship for a Koa Kai exercise. The JMSDF helicopter destroyer JS Kurama (DDH 144) participated in the exercise that began Nov. 10.

"The Koa Kai exercise provided intense and comprehensive training for all of us," said JMSDF Capt. Shinji Maruzawa, commander, Escort Division 2. "It was remarkable how well we worked together, demonstrating good teamwork and sharing skills. We have great support from our U.S. Navy friends and partners here in Hawaii."

Kurama joined guided-missile destroyers USS O'Kane (DDG 77) and USS Chafee (DDG 90); frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37); and Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11). The surface ships of CDS 31 are joined by assets from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Helicopter Squadron Light 37, Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2, and the Royal Canadian Air Force 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron.

"This is the first time we've had a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship participate in Koa Kai," said Capt. Dave Welch, commander, Destroyer Squadron 31. "They were a fantastic addition to the exercise. This gives us an opportunity to exercise in another area that our deployed ships deal with, operations with coalition and allied partners."

Hawaii-based surface combatants regularly deploy to the Asia Pacific region and often train with international partners while on deployment. Koa Kai demonstrates the Pacific Fleet commitment to forward readiness and prepares Middle Pacific ships to meet current and future challenges.

"The opportunity to work together gives our crews the chance to see that there is strength in the diversity of capabilities that our allies and partners bring and gives us a chance to work closely with them in a controlled training environment," Welch said. "It also gives our allies confidence in the rigor that we put in our preparations to go forward in deployed areas."

Sailors aboard the JMSDF and U.S. Navy ships participated in visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drills; tactical training; anti-submarine warfare and live-fire ammunition exercises; and other drills and training.

"We just returned from major exercise Koa Kai, which translates as 'Sea Warrior' from the Hawaiian language," said Firecontrolman 2nd Class Deborah Rosen, USS O'Kane. "It's a major test of the entire ship's battle readiness. It's challenging. It has to be. It's meant to be. It's designed to be. It's to make sure that we're really going to be ready to go out on deployment and accomplish our mission."

Units participating in Koa Kai 12-1, the first of two such training events in FY 12, conducted integrated flight operations, anti-surface and anti-submarine training and dynamic ship maneuvers.

Koa Kai supports the U.S. Pacific Fleet's mid-Pacific surface combatant operational employment program, which calls for all Hawaii-based surface combatants to use the strategic location in the Middle Pacific to conduct intermediate and advanced training in a multi-ship environment. The training helps each ship prepare to deploy and respond quickly to support the Maritime Strategy.

All MIDPAC Ships Receive Green "H" Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Surface Group Middle Pacific (CNSG MIDPAC) announced that all 11 of its Hawaii-based Navy surface ships received the 2010 Force Health and Wellness Award, or the Green "H", May 6.

"The Green H Award is a milestone we all can take pride in as it encompasses everything from Safety/Operational Risk Management to Tobacco Cessation, all of which affect the lives of our most precious resource - our people," said Vice Adm. D. C. Curtis, the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC). "Without the professional oversight of SURFPAC's very own medical department, the awareness and execution of these programs would not have achieved this impressive milestone."

The purpose of this unit award is to recognize the Sailors aboard ships who demonstrate their dedication to helping Sailors make constructive changes in their life by conducting activities like cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, smoking cessation courses, regular health fairs, fitness sessions and education on healthy living.

"It has never happened before," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Timothy George, the independent duty corpsman program manager for CNSG MIDPAC. "This is the first time that we have attained a hundred percent of our ships getting Green H. It also tells that more focus is being placed on health and wellness programs on board these ships. It means these ships have realized that a healthier ship is a better ship to go out a fight with."

The ships under CNSG MIDPAC include USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Chosin (DDG 65), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Crommelin (FFG 37), USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Lake Erie (CG 70), USS Okane (DDG 77), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and USS Russell (DDG 59).

"My personal congratulations to all commands that made submission and special recognition is extended to this year's winners," Curtis said in an official message. "You have again demonstrated unfailing commitment to the health and wellness of our Sailors, our Navy's most valuable asset. Their welfare is absolutely essential to our readiness and to the success of our mission. Continue to provide tools and awareness to out Sailors so they may be successful."

The qualifying period for this award was from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010. Ships that receive the COMNAVSURFOR Force Health and Wellness award can paint a Green "H" on the ship's bridge wing. Hash marks are painted below the "H" to indicate sequential awards. Commands awarded the Green "H" five consecutive times are authorized to paint a green star above the Green "H".

"It took a constant push to remind Sailors how important fitness, safety and mission readiness," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) William Triplett, the independent Corpsman assigned to Port Royal. "It was only accomplished through a collaborative effort from the drug and alcohol prevention advisor, command fitness leaders, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, safety officer and the food service officer. Without their help and drive, we would not have been able to pull this off."

Port Royal and Hopper received their 12th consecutive Green H award.

"For most, I think it shows that our decrease in alcohol related incidents, physical fitness assessment failures and reduction in overall mishaps has not gone unnoticed," said Triplett. "This ship has come a long way in a short time and her crew is finally reaping the rewards for getting her back in the game."

Koa Kai Trains Above, Below and on Sea Near Hawaii

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Surface Navy and other combatant units are participating in an integrated training environment called Koa Kai 11-2 in waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, March 31 to April 5.

Conducted by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31, Koa Kai is a semi-annual exercise event for mid-Pacific Navy combatant units, including submarine and aviation assets. The designation "11-2" signifies the second iteration of the exercise in fiscal year 2011.

"My expectations are to take full advantage of the six days at sea," said Capt. David Welch, the commander of DESRON 31. "We'll accomplish quite a bit in terms of training and certification readiness for each of the independent deployable units."

Guided-missile destroyers USS Russell (DDG 59), USS O'Kane (DDG 77), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Chafee (DDG 90); and guided-missile cruisers USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and USS Port Royal (CG 53) are participating in the semi-annual exercise.

"Our focus is to prepare our ships, which are all independent units, preparing them for forward deployment operations to either 7th or 5th Fleet, depending on where they are scheduled to operate," said Welch.

Attack submarines were also included in the exercise as they provided submarine familiarization training to surface and air units.

Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, Patrol Squadrons (VP) 9, 47 and the 407th, which is a Canadian Air Force P-3 squadron, participated, as well.

Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oilier USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) also took part in the exercise, not only to provide key services to Koa Kai participants but also to serve as a high-value unit from which ships rallied and protected.

French navy frigate FS Prairial (F 731) also joined the ship-maneuvering portion of the exercise.

"We've got some great resources out here with our submarines, our ASW squadrons and our ships," said Welch. Welch said that because each of these units is so busy in port, Koa Kai gave them rare opportunities to put so many assets at sea at once.

In one exercise, Port Royal, Russell, Chafee, Chung-Hoon and Prairial operated in unison performing ship maneuvering and formation.

Cmdr. Justin Orlich, executive officer of Chung-Hoon, said that Hawaii-based destroyers do not normally perform work-ups in a battle group environment.

"It provides us with a higher-level intermediate training that we don't normally get by being out here in Hawaii," said Orlich. "In the old days, we had to go to San Diego to work in a strike group before deploying, which took up a lot of time. It was time away from family and time away from our own training."

Orlich said that the ability to work with other ships in close proximity and in an integrated environment allowed Chung-Hoon to prepare for its upcoming deployment.

In another exercise, Chief Fire Controlman Robert Jennings, assigned to Chung-Hoon, led a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team to Yukon.

Jennings said that the exercise allowed his team to integrate its newer members. The VBSS team had four new members added for a total of 15 VBSS trained Chung-Hoon Sailors.

"We run drills per quarter, but to be able to use a USNS ship, that's something we get to do once or twice a year," said Jennings. "It's a good opportunity to get aboard another ship of a similar design to what we get to see on deployment."

VBSS teams are used extensively for maritime interdiction and anti-piracy operations.

"We have a crew that's very experienced," said Orlich. "I think we have a very well-trained crew. What's super about Koa Kai is that it affords the crew the opportunity to flex and see them at a higher-level. It's nice to have the opportunity like this to showcase our crew in this type of environment."

USS O'Kane Returns to Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS O'Kane (DDG 77) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 8, following a scheduled seven-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command and western Pacific regions.

O'Kane was deployed as a part of Commander, Task Force-Iraqi Maritime, supporting maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"The deployment was wonderful," said Cmdr. Derek Trinique, USS O'Kane commanding officer. "The crew did an outstanding job in every mission, ranging from the 5th Fleet to the 7th Fleet. It feels great to be back in Hawaii and to be in command of this ship, and this crew is a real honor for me."

Trinique also spoke about some of O'Kane's operational activities while on deployment.

"We spent five of our seven months in the (Arabian Gulf), and while there, we helped protect Iraqi oil infrastructure, provided maritime security for coalition efforts and partnered with our allies to further enhance maritime security," Trinique said.

As the ship moored at Bravo Pier, Sailors were happy to be home as they were greeted by their families.

"It's great to be home," said Yeoman 3rd Class Jorge Cuellar-Lopez. "This homecoming experience almost feels surreal for me. Overall I think we did a great job on deployment. We went to some good ports, and now it's capped off with our return home."

Guided-missile destroyers like O'Kane provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and can operate independently, or as part of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.

O'Kane is a part of Destroyer Squadron 31 and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.

This article was sponsored by Military Books.