U.S. deploys missile destroyer to Japan

CNN ^ | July 8, 2006 | AP

[RDTF]

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- A new top-of-the-line U.S. guided missile destroyer was deployed to Japan on Saturday, amid tensions over North Korea's missile tests.

The USS Mustin sailed into the port of Yokosuka, home to the Navy's 7th Fleet, with a crew of 300 for permanent assignment to the region, 7th Fleet spokeswoman Hanako Tomizuka said.

The Mustin, commissioned in 2003, is one of the most advanced in the fleet.

Its deployment to Yokosuka was previously planned and not in response to North Korea's missile tests, Tomizuka said.

[yobid]

Tick tock....

[AdvisorB]

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

USS Mustin website:

http://www.mustin.navy.mil/

[Cinnamon]

good good.. roonery pot-bellied pig dog-eating Great Leader will turly feel the might of our military.. sometimes I think that pot-bellied dog-eating great leader lives in a bubble.. and he does!

[ExcursionGuy84]

Its deployment to Yokosuka was previously planned and not in response to North Korea's missile tests

The way that its deployment is being trumpeted, it sure is easy to think otherwise.

Nice of our Big Media to splatter this on the top news for anyone worlwide to read.

[RDTF]

[RDTF]

from article:

In August, Yokosuka will also welcome the USS Shiloh, which last month demonstrated its ability to shoot down missile warheads in a landmark test off the coast of Hawaii.

Both the Mustin and the Shiloh are equipped with radar systems that employ so-called Aegis technology, which is geared toward tracking and shooting down enemy missiles.

The system was instrumental in identifying and assessing Wednesday's missile launchings, which all fell apparently harmlessly into the Sea of Japan.

The U.S. Navy now has eight Aegis-equipped vessels at Yokosuka.

[Semper911]

Nice of our Big Media to splatter this on the top news for anyone worlwide to read.

You can bet the administration planned for this to be shouted from the rooftops. Good move, especially the part about how this is a permanent assignment.

[RDTF]

I agree with you - we released this info on purpose. And example of how the media can be used to our advantage.

[Sacajaweau]

I'm sure the ship's trip to Japan was previously planned. It just arrived a year early. :-)

[Fudd Fan]

WOO-HOO!!

[STARWISE]

Regular Naval exercises have been going on for a couple of weeks .. this may just be some extral "motivation."

"Seven Pacific rim nations along with the Republic of Korea are participating in RIMPAC 2006 from June 26 through July 28, 2006. RIMPAC 2006 brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. More than 40 ships, six submarines, 160 aircraft and almost 19,000 sailors, airmen, Marines, soldiers and Coast Guard members will participate.

The commander of RIMPAC Training Group, Commodore Ki-Sik Lee said their navy has participated in RIMPAC since 1990 -- now with more personnel and more experience in the exercises."

[STD]

We will need them all. In the recent 2003 war game an ex-Marine corps general mauled the US Navy with a barrage of cruise missiles that beat our attacking fleet and won the war game for Iran in the Straights of Hormuz. So, much for our obsolete carrier battle groups.

[Duke Wayne]

Anyone want to bet the Rats will say this is a overreaction.

.....Anyone!

[ExcursionGuy84]

I definitely agree with you;
the Pacific Theater is gonna need as much Anti-Missile assets parked near North Korea & China as can be rounded up.

[NonValueAdded]

Captain Henry C. Mustin, U.S. Navy, (1874-1923) was a 1896 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899. CAPT Mustin also flew the first aircraft ever catapulted from a ship, the first operational missions of naval aircraft during the Vera Cruz action in 1914, and was the first commander of Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. He designed the insignia worn by U.S. Naval Aviators.

[pabianice]

USS Mustin Facts

[NonValueAdded]

Continuing:

His son, Vice Admiral Lloyd Mustin, (1911-1999), was also a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy took part in developing the Navy's first lead-computing antiaircraft gun sight. This proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of World War II. VADM Mustin served on the cruiser USS ATLANTA (CL 51) during the naval battle of Guadalcanal. His ship was lost, but he and other survivors landed on Guadalcanal and served ashore with a naval unit attached to the First Marine Division. His post war service included commands at sea and development and evaluation of weapon systems. VADM Mustin later served as director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Vice Admiral Mustin's two sons, retired Navy Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin, and Lieutenant Commander Thomas M. Mustin have continued their family's legacy of service. Vice Admiral Mustin, a 1955 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the 1980's as the Naval Inspector General, Commander Second Fleet, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy. Lieutenant Commander Mustin, also a 1962 Naval Academy Graduate, earned a Bronze Star during the Vietnam conflict for river patrol combat action.

[RDTF]

what a great tribute to a family that has given so much to our country. They must feel very proud and honored.