Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group Departs San Diego for Western Pacific

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Hafer | SAN DIEGO (March 31, 2017) – Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) departs homeport San Diego for deployment with guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104). The Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group is the third deploying group operating under the command and control construct called 3rd Fleet Forward. The first iteration in recent history occurred in 2016 with the Pacific Surface Action Group deployment and was further executed with the January 2017 deployment of the Carl Vinson Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Hafer/Released)  

SAN DIEGO , CA, UNITED STATES

03.31.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis Spencer 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

SAN DIEGO – Ships and units from the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group departed San Diego for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific, Mar. 31.

The command staff of Destroyer Squadron 31 and guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Dewey (DDG 105) deployed with the embarked helicopter detachments from Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 49 and HSM 78.

The Sterett-Dewey SAG is scheduled to operate with regional navies to conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability.

As established during the three-ship Pacific Surface Action Group deployment in 2016, Sterett-Dewey SAG will remain under Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet control for the entirety of the deployment, including beyond the international dateline, which previously divided operational areas of responsibility for 3rd and 7th fleets. Third Fleet operating forward is aimed at offering additional options to the Pacific Fleet commander by leveraging the capabilities of 3rd and 7th fleets. This operational concept allows both numbered fleets to complement one another and provide the foundation of stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“We are building upon the successes and applying the lessons learned from the inaugural PACSAG deployment,” said Capt. David A. Bretz, commander, DESRON 31. “The value of a SAG cannot be overstated. We are ready and able to support a variety of exercises and missions with our partners and allies in support of maritime stability and security in the Western Pacific.”

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c3f/.

-- USN –

• Date Taken: 03.31.2017
• Date Posted: 03.31.2017 20:17
• Story ID: 228764
• Location: SAN DIEGO , CA, US