Reuben James Heads to Central America

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040212-N-3019M-002 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Feb. 12, 2004) – A line-handler aboard the guided missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) adds slack to a mooring line while preparing the ship for getting underway. Reuben James is scheduled to perform various counter drug operations in the Eastern regions of the South Pacific Ocean. Reuben James returned ten months ago from the Arabian Gulf following a nine-month deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley. (RELEASED)

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Reuben James Heads to Central America
Story Number: NNS040217-04
Release Date: 2/17/2004 10:32:00 AM

By Ensign Nathan Christensen, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS Reuben James (FFG 57) set sail Feb. 12 en route to Central and South America to perform counter-drug operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Although the ship returned 10 months ago from the Persian Gulf following a nine-month war deployment, the ship is answering the nation’s call again. This time, Reuben James will fight not only the war on terror, but also the war against drugs.

In order to help perform this mission, Reuben James has embarked several members of a U.S. Coast Guard ship’s boarding team detachment, specializing in counter-drug operations.

Lt. j.g. James Cole, the ship’s Combat Information Center officer and primary Visit, Board, Search and Seizure officer, looks forward to Reuben James’ mission and teamwork with the Coast Guard.

“For me, this deployment gives me a chance to do what I love and what I joined the Navy to do,” Cole said. “Working with the Coast Guard will definitely be a learning experience and something that I greatly look forward to.”

Frigates perform important roles in the Navy today, serving primarily as escort ships and littoral combatants. Although the ship performed escort duties in the Persian Gulf, this deployment will test the ship in a host of different ways.

Lt. Cmdr. Ian Pollitt, the ship’s executive officer, served on the last deployment to the Persian Gulf and will take part in the ship’s current deployment. “The mission has changed, but the ship and her crew are ready for the challenges that lie ahead,” said Pollitt.

The ship leaves Pearl Harbor after completing a successful inter-deployment training cycle (IDTC). Upon completion of the final evaluation problem and underway demonstration, the IDTC’s two major milestones, Reuben James’ crew has set their sights on the challenges that await.

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Jonathan Manley views this deployment as “a great opportunity to see another part of the world and serve the U.S. in new and exciting ways. That is what the Navy is all about - being able to make a difference no matter what we do and where we go,” he said.

For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh.

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