The Source for Navy News
 |
||
|
Official U.S. Navy file photo of the destroyer USS Hayler (DD 997). Hayler returns home from its final deployment June 6. |
||
| View Larger | Download HiRes | |
USS Hayler Returns From Final Deployment
Story Number: NNS030603-19
Release Date: 6/3/2003 12:05:00 PM
By Naval Surface Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Norfolk-based destroyer USS Hayler (DD 997) will return from its final deployment June 6.
Hayler left April 4 for the Pacific to perform counter-drug detection and monitoring operations falling under the area of responsibility of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. While deployed, Hayler disrupted the transfer of 600 kg of cocaine after a high-speed chase, when the vessel being chased beached itself and set itself on fire. In mid-May, Hayler rescued 75 passengers of a distressed vessel and transferred them to safety.
After 20 years of service to the U.S. Navy, Hayler is expected to decommission in August of this year. The ship returned from a Mediterranean deployment in April 2002 with the Theodore Roosevelt battlegroup. During that deployment, Hayler played an active role in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was the first Navy warship to perform Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Mediterranean in more than 20 years.
As a Spruance-class destroyer, Hayler provides multimission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups.
E-mail this story to a friend | Send a comment about this story
Hayler Set to Decommission - 8/19/2003
Hayler Recognized as Best in the Fleet - 10/7/2002
|
All Any Exact |
|
