Pearl Harbor-based Cruiser Returns Home

By Fire Controlman 2nd Class Joseph W. Lovett, USS Port Royal, and Lt. Chris Davis, ESG 1 Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS Port Royal (CG 73) returned home to Pearl Harbor March 11 following a six-and-a-half month deployment with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1.

The 350 crew members assigned to Port Royal returned to “the Navy’s best homeport” following operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Port Royal deployed Sept. 2 with ESG 1, supporting a Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps-sanctioned strike group experiment designed to provide forces that are more flexible in the global war on terrorism. Under the plan, the Navy could field 12 ESGs and 12 Carrier Strike Groups, in addition to independent surface strike groups that conduct maritime interdiction patrols, counter-drug and other naval presence operations around the world.

Port Royal, the last of the Ticonderoga-class of AEGIS guided-missile cruisers, performed duties as Air Defense Commander (ADC) for the seven-ship flotilla. Port Royal operators controlled the network of sensors, data-links, missile systems and Marine Corps aircraft that combined to form an air defense umbrella over ESG 1 ships and Marines ashore.

At various times, Port Royal was also assigned as the ADC for all Persian Gulf maritime operations. During these periods, Port Royal tracked all U.S. and coalition aircraft operating over the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Port Royal used the AEGIS system and associated Command and Control networks flawlessly in performance of these complex and demanding duties.

“This was a challenging and highly successful deployment for Port Royal and ESG 1," said Commanding Officer Capt. Pat Allen. "We developed new tactics, techniques and procedures that will pave the way for surface combatants to participate in the global war on terrorism.

"Working with the 13th MEU [Marine Expeditionary Unit] Marine Special Purpose Forces was particularly rewarding," Allen added. "It was a powerful new experience for the crew and embarked Marines.”

Port Royal was innovative and resourceful during the course of the deployment. The ship served as “platform of choice” for the 13th MEU’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon for Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations.

With Port Royal acting as on-scene commander, the cruiser/USMC team intercepted and boarded a suspect fishing dhow Dec 31, that was discovered to be smuggling 2,800 pounds of hashish with an estimated street value of $11 million. The 15 dhow crew members, suspected of possible links to the Al Qaeda terrorist network, were detained and delivered to coalition forces ashore.

In addition to a variety of security cooperation exercises with countries in the U.S. Central Command/5th Fleet area of responsibility, Port Royal Participated in Exercise Sea Saber, the fifth in a series of multi-national exercises based on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) announced by President Bush in May 2003 in Krakow, Poland.

Thirteen of the 16 coalition PSI participants provided personnel and military and law enforcement forces to the exercise. Led by U.S. 5th Fleet and ESG 1, Port Royal played a major role in the success of the event by serving as intercept and blocking ship to the simulated WMD [weapons of mass destruction]-carrying vessel, portrayed by USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10). Port Royal exercised its unique capability to forward live video of tactical action in progress to higher authority command centers afloat and ashore.

The ship now turns its focus toward return and reunion with families and friends in Pearl Harbor.

“My kids are the only thing I am thinking about seeing right now,” Storekeeper 2nd Class Mark Mcardle said.

Chief Culinary Specialist Thomas Esclito expects duty and a plate lunch the day the ship returns, but the day after is a different story. “I am going to have Christmas with my two kids around our brown tree that is still standing surrounded by gifts,” Esclito said.

“I want to kiss the sand,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jeff Aldridge, an avid beach-goer and outdoorsman.

Port Royal and the rest of the ESG have earned the appreciation of the strike group commander, Rear Adm. Bob Conway.

“Breaking with paradigms is a difficult prospect to consider, let alone execute. But did they do it? You bet they did. They made it happen the way they always make it happen, and I am very proud of all our Sailors and Marines,” said Conway.

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

031205-N-6895M-018 Northern Arabian Sea (Dec. 5, 2003) – Ships assigned to the Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) and Japan’s Escort Flotilla Four (EF-4) conduct a replenishment at sea. From the bottom, the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) support ship JDS Tokiwa (AOE 423), USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the Japanese Haruna-class destroyer JDS Hiei (DDH 142). ESG-1 is on a scheduled deployment conducting missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class James K. McNeil. (RELEASED)

031205-N-6895M-020 Northern Arabian Sea (Dec. 5, 2003) – The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) lead ship for Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) support ship JDS Tokiwa (AOE 423) assigned to Escort Flotilla Four (EF-4) execute an underway replenishment at sea. The U.S. guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), far left, and JMSDF Murasame-class large frigate Akebono (DD 108), far right steam alongside. ESG-1 is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class James K. McNeil. (RELEASED)

031231-N-2295R-001 North Arabian Sea (Dec. 31, 2003) -- Boarding teams from USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG 1) approach a dhow suspected of drug trafficking. Upon inspection the vessel was found to have over 2,800 pounds of narcotics, believed to be hashish. The vessel was seized and its 15 crewmembers were detained after being tracked and intercepted by U.S. and coalition forces. Port Royal and the 13th MEU (SOC) are assigned to ESG 1 deployed to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility on a regularly scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

040101-N-2295R-002 North Arabian Sea (Jan. 1, 2004) – Boarding teams from USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG 1) take a dhow, under tow following seizure of the vessel which was carrying over 2,800 pounds of narcotics, believed to be hashish. The vessel was seized and its 15 crewmembers were detained after being tracked and intercepted by U.S. and coalition forces. Port Royal and the 13th MEU (SOC) are assigned to ESG 1 deployed to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility on a regularly scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

040101-N-2295R-006 North Arabian Sea (Jan 1, 2004) – Boarding teams from USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG 1) seized over 2,800 pounds of narcotics, believed to be hashish upon inspection of a dhow suspected of drug trafficking. The narcotics were stored in 50 to 100 pound bags and were during an inspection uncovered by U.S. boarding teams. Port Royal and the 13th MEU (SOC) are assigned to ESG 1 deployed to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility on a regularly scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

031015-N-0000M-001 Arabian Gulf (Oct. 15, 2003) -- The sunrises behind a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) during well deck operations aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5), lead ship for Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1). The guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) sits on the horizon. ESG-1 is deployed conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the continued war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Boatswain’s Mate Klaus Moser. (RELEASED)

031205-N-6895M-007 Northern Arabian Sea (Dec. 5, 2003) -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) destroyer JDS Akebono (DD 108), bottom, of Escort Flotilla Four (EF-4) and the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), top, of Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) steam side by side in the Northern Arabian Sea. Port Royal and ESG-1 are currently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and the continued war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class James K. McNeil. (RELEASED)

031205-N-6895M-005 Northern Arabian Sea (Dec. 5, 2003) -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JDS Akebono (DD 108), left, of Escort Flotilla Four (EF-4) and the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), right, of Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) operate side by side in the Northern Arabian sea. Port Royal along with other elements of ESG-1 are currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the continued war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class James K. McNeil. (RELEASED)

031103-N-6939M-001 North Arabian Gulf (Nov. 3, 2003) -- The Guided Missile Cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) fires a Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CIWS) during a routine maintenance exercise. Port Royal and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) are deployed with Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher Mobley. (RELEASED)

031103-N-6939M-011 North Arabian Gulf (Nov. 3, 2003) -- The Fast Combat Support Ship USS Detroit (AOE 4) performs an underway replenishment with USS Peleliu (LHA 5) as USS Port Royal (CG 73) comes alongside. Port Royal and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) are deployed with Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher Mobley. (RELEASED)

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