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USS Hopper Deploys
Story Number: NNS040706-08
Release Date: 7/6/2004 11:34:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class Devin Wright, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS Hopper (DDG 70) left its homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 28 on a six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Over the past several months, Hopper has been preparing for its deployment to the Persian Gulf.
“With all of the training we’ve done over the past year, we feel confident that we will come together as a team to complete any mission we are given,” said Hopper Gunnery Officer Ensign Lauren Kent. “Our commander is exceptional, and holds the officers and chiefs’ mess to a higher standard, and teaches them to think down the line, which ultimately holds the crew to a higher standard. When you add those things up, you have a well trained and prepared crew,” she said.
For some crew members, this deployment gives them an opportunity to use the skills the Navy has taught them.
“I’m really excited, because this is my first deployment.” said Cyrptologic Technician Technical Seaman Lakesha Jackson. “I’ve only been in the Navy since February of last year, so this deployment will give me a lot of training. When we are in port, we usually do deck preservation, but now I get to apply my job.”
Jackson said that although she is nervous about being deployed, she is confident in the abilities of those who have already been deployed.
“I don’t know what to expect, but there are a lot of people onboard who have been to sea before, and they can give us direction,” said Jackson.
For family members on the pier, watching their loved ones steam off into harm's way was an emotional time.
“It’s tough,” said Karen Bowers, wife of Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Jeff Bowers. “Our daughter and her dad are extremely close, and she doesn’t really understand what’s going on or why he is leaving. Plus there are so many loose ends. We’ve just bought a house, our daughter is going to start day care for the first time and I just started a new job,” she said. “I realize, however, what he is doing overseas is bigger than those inconveniences. I’m proud of him and the job he is doing. I’m proud to be his wife.”
Hopper is a multi-mission guided-missile destroyer. Her mission is to operate offensively in a multi-threat environment. Her warfare capabilities are air warfare, surface warfare, undersea warfare, mine warfare, strike warfare and electronic warfare.
For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh.
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