USS Wayne E. Meyer Returns from Deployment

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

12.23.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Mora  

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), along with an embarked detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 “Easyriders,” returned to its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam following an independent deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations, Dec 23.

"We are proud to have returned from a successful deployment supporting the U.S. Navy's presence in the Indo-Pacific,” said Cmdr. Alex Mamikonian, commanding officer aboard Wayne E. Meyer. “It is satisfying that Wayne E. Meyer contributed such a relevant part to the larger mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, and our team has much to celebrate as we reunite with family and friends during the holidays."

Wayne E. Meyer deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation and conducted an assortment of operations, including several freedom of navigation operations as part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy's largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force. Wayne E. Meyer operated with several other Navy platforms, including the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike, which directly contributed to regional security and stability, and enabled peace and prosperity that benefits all regional countries.

The destroyer also joined numerous bi-lateral and multi-lateral operations, including Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX). The first AUMX, co-led by the U.S. and Royal Thai navies, includes maritime forces from the U.S. and all 10 ASEAN member states. AUMX promoted shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security, and stability in the Southeast Asia.

While in 7th Fleet, Wayne E. Meyer conducted United Nations Security Council Resolution Enforcement operations, and operated in the East and South China Seas.

While in-port Guam, the ship executed six ammunition handling movements in support of the Navy’s first Vertical Launch System expeditionary reload while moored to an anchored ship. This historic evolution displayed the Navy’s ability to rearm a deployed fleet at sea.

The ship covered approximately 25,679 nautical miles over the course of its deployment.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet works in close coordination with U.S. 7th Fleet to provide commanders with capable, ready assets across the spectrum of military operations in the Indo-Pacific.

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

For more information on USS Wayne E. Meyer, please visit https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg108/Pages/default.aspx.

• Date Taken: 12.23.2019
• Date Posted: 12.23.2019 14:16
• Story ID: 357051
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US