By Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
The guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) departed May 18 from Pearl Harbor for on an independent deployment to the U.S. 7th and 4th Fleet areas of operations.
Chafee deployed with its crew of more than 300 Sailors. The ship will conduct theater security cooperation and maritime presence operations with partner nations as well as participate in exercise Talisman Saber within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. It is expected to play an integral part in counter-illicit trafficking mission Operation Martillo (Spanish for ‘hammer’) in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.
Along with the crew of Chafee, the drug interdiction team includes the ship’s organic visit, board, search and seizure team, providing support for the embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, Detachment 6 will provide embarked air support.
Chafee will also participate in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI), a joint Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Commerce program. The ship will support maritime law enforcement operations to administer U.S. and Pacific island nations fisheries laws and the suppression of illicit activities.
“This ship and crew are ready for any real world operations,” said Cmdr. Shea Thompson, commanding officer. “There is no other team I would rather deploy with.”