NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. — It was a "great day for a great crew" when the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Oscar Austin returned to Norfolk Friday the morning of July 10 after a successful 8eight-month independent deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleets that stretched nearly eight months.
Logged more than 950 unmanned flight hours with the Scan Eagle at the Horn of Africa and thought Central Command.
Cmdr. Russell Sanchez, the destroyer's skipper, touted the self sufficiency of his crew. As an independent deployer, the ship was on station anywhere from 40 to 45 days, with parts and materials arriving only once every three weeks21 days.
"The crew did an outstanding job maintaining the ship and fixing any problems that arose," he said.
This was the first deployment for roughly 70 percent of the crew, whose average age was 21. In nearly eight months deployed, 75 were advanced, 95 qualified as enlisted surface warfare specialists, nine qualified as surface warfare officers, 21 re-enlisted, 164 sailors participated in community relations projects in three countries ! and the sailors enjoyed seven port calls in four cities.
The destroyer Oscar Austin returns to Norfolk Friday to the cheers of friends and family. The ship will enter the yards later this year.
Photo Credit: MC1 Josue Escobosa/Navy
But Norfolk proved to be the favorite liberty call.
"It feels amazing. It's nice to be home," said Gas Turbine System Technician Electrical 2nd Class (SW) Cody White, who shared the traditional "first kiss" with wife, Desiree. "There were good times and bad times, but overall a good cruise. Now I'm looking forward to spending time with my wife, relaxing and playing some golf."
Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SW) Zachary Humbert had his hands full with someone he longed to meet — his 6-week old daughter, Clair Addison Humbert.
"It is amazing," he said as he held his first child close to his chest. "I've seen so many photos and heard her on the phone, it's just amazing to actually hold her."
The ship, which pulled a two-month deployment to the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea this time last year, now enters its sustainment phase, where the ship will maintain its mission qualifications before entering the yard She is scheduled to enter the yard later this year.
"Then we will go back through the basic phase and get ready to go again," Sanchez said. "That's what we do."
