Last modified Thu., August 14, 2008 - 09:31 AM
Originally created Thursday, August 14, 2008

Farragut Sets Sail From Guantanamo Bay Cuba

By CWO3 Luigi G. Federici, USS Farragut Systems Test Officer

The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) approaches along side the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in preparation for a refueling at sea. GW is undergoing carrier qualifications and flight deck certification in preparation for its homeport change to Yokosuka, Japan. GW will relieve USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Luis Ramirez

Guantanamo Bay Cuba- The crew of USS Farragut (DDG 99) set sail from the Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Aug. 4, in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2008, an annual operation sponsored by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in the SOUTHCOM Area of Focus.

This deployment includes multi-national exercises, Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) events, and Counter Narcoterrorism (CNT) missions in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Cmdr. Scott Dugan, Farragut's Commanding Officer, said that he and the crew are looking forward to the second half of their deployment, which began April 7, and has already taken them around South America.

"Our maintenance availability in Mayport Florida followed by the training we completed in Guantanamo Bay was time well spent in preparing the ship for this second phase of our deployment. Our mission in this phase of the deployment is to build relationships with our partners in South America and the Caribbean for greater maritime security in the region by our involvement in various multinational exercises."

During the ship's entry into Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the ship passed the windward side of the island, it slowed to three knots as Cmdr. Deidre McClay, Farragut's commissioning commanding officer, was promoted to the rank of Captain. As her promotion ceremony was being held in Guantanamo Bay, she was excited that FARRAGUT was able to be the backdrop of her promotion ceremony.

"It is a thrill to be back onboard Farragut. It is clear from the reports that I have received that the crew and the ship lives up to its motto of "Prepared for Battle". I am sure the ship's maiden deployment will continue to be marked with acts of pride and distinction," said Captain McClay.

Farragut will visit Cartegena, Columbia next and participate in PANAMAX 2008, a multi-national joint exercise dedicated to the defense of the Panama Canal.

After PANAMAX, Farragut will participate in several TSC and CNT missions throughout the Caribbean. POA 2008 is a SOUTHCOM sponsored program, implemented by NAVSO/4th Fleet, designed to foster greater interoperability and cooperation between partner nations throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Farragut Sailors have been participating in POA 2008 since April, visiting and working with countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. During the second half of their deployment, Farragut will be participating with USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and USS Tarawa (LHA 1), in conjunction with Destroyer Squadron 40 and HSL-42 Detachment 7.

TSC missions, which encompass an important part of the POA deployment, include subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) with foreign Navies, community relations (COMREL) projects, and receptions for foreign dignitaries.