USS O’Kane deploys for Western Pacific

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner | 171103-N-WC566-0041 PEARL HARBOR (Nov. 03, 2017) The guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departs from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific. While deployed, O'Kane will conduct theater security cooperation efforts and maritime presence operations with partner nations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

11.03.2017

Courtesy Story

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – The guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific on Nov. 3.

O’Kane has a crew of nearly 330 Sailors, officer and enlisted, and is a multi-mission ship designed to operate independently or with an associated strike group.

While deployed, the ship will conduct theater security cooperation and maritime presence operations with partner nations. Having steadily worked through a sustainment cycle, the ship's commanding officer is confident in his ship and crew’s performance.

“The crew has worked hard over the past several months, participating in advanced level exercises and improving the material condition to be ready for our deployment,” said Cmdr. Colby Sherwood, commanding officer of O’Kane. “I am proud of the resiliency of these Sailors and all they have accomplished to maintain O’Kane’s readiness. We look forward to operating with our allies and partners from around the world again."

O’Kane is named after Adm. Richard O’Kane, a Medal of Honor recipient, as the aggressive commanding officer of USS Tang during World War II. USS O’Kane was last deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2014.

O’Kane is part of U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. Naval Surface Forces. U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd 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 information on Navy Surface Forces visit the Commander, Naval Surface Forces website at http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/Pages/home.aspx.

For more information on Hopper visit the ship's website at:
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg70/Pages/default.aspx

• Date Taken: 11.03.2017
• Date Posted: 11.03.2017 20:36
• Story ID: 254087
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US