USS Ralph Johnson Returns from Maiden Deployment

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Collier | 210114-N-FP334-1129 NAVAL STATION EVERETT, Wash. (Jan. 14, 2020) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) man the rails as the ship pulls into Naval Station Everett, Jan 14. Ralph Johnson returned following a successful deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, which included freedom of navigation operations and participation in Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anthony Collier)  

EVERETT, WA, UNITED STATES

01.14.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Collier 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

NAVAL STATION EVERETT, Wash. (Jan. 14, 2021) – Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Everett, Wash., Jan. 14, following its first deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
Ralph Johnson first departed Naval Station Everett April 15, 2020, following a restriction-of-movement period. This period served as the first of many measures the ship took to mitigate the risk of crewmembers being exposed to COVID-19 during their deployment.
“The crew’s performance was amazing from start to finish,” said Cmdr. Rob Biggs, Ralph Johnson’s commanding officer. “They excelled in every operation and in all mission tasking. Through all of it they remained focused and united and continued to be committed to making each other better.”
Ralph Johnson conducted freedom of navigation operations, sailed in combined interoperability exercises with the Indian Navy, supported maritime security operations in support of the International Maritime Security Construct’s CTF-Sentinel for 48 days, provided regional ballistic missile and air defense and supported Operation Inherent Resolve while operating with USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Also during their deployment, while providing direct support to Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, Ralph Johnson interdicted a shipment of more than 2,000lbs of suspected narcotics from a vessel in the international waters of the Arabian Sea.
The ship conducted several port visits while on deployment, where Sailors were restricted to designated areas on the pier for liberty in order to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19, but also providing Sailors well deserved rest and relaxation with food, beverages and events coordinated by Moral, Welfare and Recreation.
Ralph Johnson steamed for a total of 78,186 miles during her maiden deployment. The ship was commissioned March 24, 2018. For additional information about Ralph Johnson, please visit https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg114/Pages/default.aspx.

• Date Taken: 01.14.2021
• Date Posted: 01.14.2021 16:16
• Story ID: 386940
• Location: EVERETT, WA, US