USS Philippine Sea Surges Homeward

FC3 Joe Spann with his wife, Jill, holds his one-week-old son, Trent, for the first time after returning home from a three-month serge aboard the Guided missle cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58).

The ship's primary mission while deployed was to work with allies and coalition partners to detect, deter, disrupt and deny international terrorist organizations the use of the maritime environment.

Philippine Sea, along with HSL-60 Detachment One Jaguars, deployed on just two months notice as part of the Navy's implementation of the Fleet Response Plan (FRP). The Fleet Response Plan is about new ways of operating, training, manning, and maintaining the Fleet that result in increased readiness and the ability to provide significant combat power when and where it is needed.

After departing Mayport in late May, Philippine Sea crossed the Atlantic, stopped briefly for fuel in Rota, Spain, and continued East to Souda Bay, Crete for a short port visit. Souda Bay, Europe's largest physical harbor, is a vital naval port for U.S. Navy ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea or transiting to the Fifth Fleet AOR.

FC3 Ian Barrett looks at photos of his new daughter, born just a few days before his arrival back to Naval Station Mayport. Barrett was greeted by his mother, Marilyn Barrett, aunt, Donna Barineau, and father-in-law, Stanley Rothfuss. -

Philippine Sea transited the Suez Canal in early June in company with USS Gunston Hall, also deployed in GWOT Surge '05. The intense evolution lasted over fourteen hours and required an all hands effort by Sailors to ensure the transit's success. ''It was a long day for sure,'' said QM1 Erik Crisman. ''However, it was important that we remained vigilant in our watches in order to safely navigate the canal and protect our ship.'' The Suez Canal, owned by Egypt, is approximately 101 miles in length and can be as narrow as 197 feet wide. The waterway was constructed in 1867 as an alternative route for vessels transiting from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean.

Following a transit of the Suez Canal and Red Sea, Philippine Sea conducted Pulse operations in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. A highlight of these operations was the successful tracking of a vessel hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia while remaining undetected throughout the operation.

Philippine Sea continued through the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz en route Manama, Bahrain. The working port visit was complemented by the visit of CTF150 Commander, Commodore Tony Rix, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry Scott and Vice Adm. David Nichols, Commander, Fifth Fleet. Sailors had the opportunity to talk with MCPON (SS/AW) Scott about issues with which they were concerned. Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW) Lawrence Petrowicz asked Scott about the Fleet Response Plan's (FRP) purpose and its effect on ships' previously scheduled deployments. ''Before the FRP, the Navy was able to deploy only twenty-five percent of its naval forces at any given time,'' said Scott. ''This was primarily due to maintenance and work-ups of fleet forces. By instituting FRP, we are capable of increasing the percentage of naval forces ready to deploy when needed.

Upon departure from Bahrain, Philippine Sea proceeded North in the Persian Gulf and commenced Operational Nautical Union - a bi-lateral naval exercise with Royal Saudi Arabian naval forces focused on the cooperation, coordination, and interoperability of forces in the maritime theatre.

A Sailor takes a photo of the crowds of friends and family members lined up on the pier at Naval Station Mayport for the ship's return Thursday. -Photo by PH2 Susan Cornell

In addition to Philippine Sea, the nine-day exercise in the Persian Gulf included participation by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 50, USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) and Saudi Arabian ships HMS Tabuk, HMS Hitteen, HMS Al-Faruq, and HMS Faisal. The United States supplied these four PCG-1 corvettes to Saudi Arabia between 1980 and 1983. Each vessel is armed with eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well as six torpedo tubes.

After another stop in Bahrain at the conclusion of Operational Nautical Union, Philippine Sea exited the Persian Gulf and continued Pulse operations in the Gulfs of Oman and Aden. Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure teams boarded vessels deemed highly suspicious of terrorist activity, illegal smuggling operations, and/or movement of illicit personnel.

''Philippine Sea was an active member of the coalition task force, participating in a variety of [maritime security operations] missions, all of which served the purpose of promoting stability,'' said Operations Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Alysa Ambrose. ''By pressurizing the maritime environment, international terrorist organizations are eventually detected, and their use of the maritime environment is deterred or denied.''

Philippine Sea continued similar operations in the Red Sea with other coalition partners. FS Lafayette (F710) worked closely with Philippine Sea and Gunston Hall to patrol the Red Sea and gather intelligence on the maritime theatre. Additionally, Sailors from the Philippine Sea had the unique opportunity to ''cross-deck'' (a term to describe the visitation of personnel to another ship) to FS Lafayette.

The purpose of cross-deck transfers is to acquaint personnel with coalition naval forces. This familiarization helps to promote increased understanding, readiness, and effectiveness within the coalition force. Philippine Sea Sailors were paired with crew of similar rate and rank aboard FS Lafayette while touring the ship, eating in the mess, discussing ship/job similarities and differences, and most importantly, sharing about diverse cultures.

Philippine Sea's final operation in the Red Sea was another coalition exercise with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia West Fleet. This evolution included multiple air, sub-surface, and surface events.

The ship's final replenishment at sea in the Fifth Fleet was with USNS Yukon. The replenishment demonstrated the competence and ability of Philippine Sea to transfer fuel and stores via three replenishment stations simultaneously.

Following departure from the Suez Canal Northbound and entry into the Mediterranean Sea, Philippine Sea made best speed for Villefranche, France. The port, located on the ''Cote d'Azur'' or French Riviera, was built in 1295 and grew quickly due to its warmer climate and protected bay on the Mediter-ranean Sea. Villefranche was once the homeport of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet.

Upon arrival, Philippine Sea moored to a buoy in the harbor of Villefranche. The mooring evolution was a great opportunity for the ship's First Division to test their skills in this unique deck evolution.

ET3 Marcie Moher gets big hugs from sons, Alexander, 3, and Zachaery, 16 months, after disembarking. The boys won the family support group raffle for First Hug. -Photo by PH2 Susan Cornell

Philippine Sea hosted a reception onboard for more than 50 American and French dignitaries including the Mayor of Villefranche, Gerard Grosgogeat, and Mrs. Ellen Thornburn, the U.S. Consul General from Marseille. The flight deck was transformed into a magnificent social environment complete with ice sculptures, red carpet, tents, and French and American flags.

''We are very happy to have your ship in Villefranche,'' Grosgogeat told the reception's attendees in French as Avery Glize-Kane, the President of the Navy League of Cannes, translated. ''This fine ship is welcome back in Villefranche any time.''

Additionally, Mayor Gros-gogeat hosted Philippine Sea's Commanding Officer, and several officers for lunch the following day at La Mere Germaine, an elegant restaurant on the waterfront of Villefranche. The menu at the historic restaurant offered the most exquisite samples of French cuisine. The Mayor and captain were joined by ranking members of the mayor's staff, Glize-Kane, and Capt. Michael Durnan, the USDAO Paris Naval Attaché.

Other Philippine Sea Sailors experienced French culture firsthand as well. Many frequented local museums, castles, and other tourist attractions in Villefranche. Sailors also traveled West to Nice and Cannes or East to the principality of Monaco to enjoy liberty.

Philippine Sea departed Villefranche en route Mayport Sept. 11. As the ship slipped its moor, the city fired two canon shots in memory of those who perished in the tragic attacks on 9/11, and Philippine Sea returned their salutes from her saluting battery. The day's memorials included several burials at sea before sunset where former USN Sailors met their final resting place.

The reserve squadron HSL-60 Detachment One Jaguars flew 145 sorties while compiling more than 500 hours of flight time while deployed with Philippine Sea. Their multiple missions included Vertical Replenishments (VERTREP), over the horizon search and reconnaissance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations, and Search and Rescue (SAR).

''This deployment showcased the ability of the Naval Reserve to provide service in support of the active-duty fleet,'' said Ambrose. ''HSL-60's success on this deployment truly complemented Philippine Sea as a fully mission-capable and efficient warship.''

''I could not be more proud of our Sailors and during this deployment,'' said Commanding Officer, Capt. Gene Moran. ''Their willingness and determination to meet the challenges of a Surge deployment duties a testament to their sterling professionalism. It is within their achievements that the success of Philippine Sea's Surge resides.''

Philippine Sea will now enter a maintenance availability period in order to prepare for the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) in February 2006 and forthcoming deployment with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group.