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Two Norfolk Ships Return From Deployment
Story Number: NNS040901-07
Release Date: 9/1/2004 10:18:00 AM
From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Nearly 700 Sailors reunited with family and friends here at Naval Station Norfolk, when the guided-missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Ramage (DDG 61) returned from a four-month deployment Aug. 31 in support of the global war on terrorism (GWOT).
Ross and Ramage departed Norfolk April 30 accompanied by the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55).
Under the Fleet Response Plan, the Navy remains committed to deployments not exceeding six-months, unless mission requirements dictate otherwise.
“We were prepared to do a deployment of more than four months, but the Fleet Response Plan had us providing presence for only four months, and that’s what we did,” said Cmdr. Mark Young, Ramage’s commanding officer.
Since her departure April 30, Ramage has operated with U.S. coalition and NATO warships, and participated in exercises NEO TAPON ’04 and IRON SIREN ‘04. Ramage’s first duty on deployment was to support the GWOT by conducting extended maritime interdiction operations throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
According to Young, Ramage was in charge of a multi-national exercise in the Persian Gulf. Another highlight was a port visit in Cannes, France, in which the crew participated in the 60th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the D-Day landings in France.
During their deployment Ramage made port calls in Malta, Italy, Croatia and France. While in Italy, Ramage also sailed off the shores of Anzio to commemorate the 60th D-Day anniversary.
“It’s probably the best deployment I’ve been on, and I’ve been on deployments on which we conducted some offensive operations, though we did everything exceptionally well," said Young. "I’m extremely proud of my Sailors, and I couldn’t ask for a better cruise."
Ross also participated in Operation Atlas Shield, which provided maritime protection for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
“I definitely have the best crew in the Navy,” said Cmdr. Lisa M. Franchetti, Ross’ commanding officer. “They were ready to go and made a lot of good preparations training-wise, maintenance-wise and logistically. And I tell you that our schedule changed several times, and when it did, our Sailors adapted. Because of their flexibility and can-do attitude, we were always ready to go … we did the mission, and they were just awesome.”
Elrod continues to operate in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility and is expected to return to Norfolk in the coming weeks.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c2f.
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Norfolk Surface Strike Group Ships To Return From Deployment - 8/30/2004
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