USS Momsen (DDG 92) has enjoyed two months of its 5th Fleet deployment, sailing West through the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  Along the way, Momsen visited Palau, Brunei and recently Mombasa, Kenya. 

Although this is Momsen’s second deployment, this is its first deployment operating with the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group.  Momsen, an Aegis guided-missile destroyer, home ported in Everett, conducted extensive unit and joint level training for more than a year to reach this stage of deployment, exercising superb proficiency in air, surface and subsurface warfare. 

While underway, the premier controlling watch stander is the officer of the deck, serving as the commanding officer’s representative on the bridge. 

Officers of the deck are not only responsible for safe navigation, but also tactical maneuvering to support an array of ongoing missions in the global war on terror.  However, all of Momsen’s officers of the deck share one similar trait—they are all female surface warfare officers.

Lt.j.g. Allison Berg, Lt.j.g Courtney Thraen and Ensign Allison Cady stand officer of the deck while underway, leading and training teams of three additional junior officers, along with boatswain’s mates and quartermasters. 

As officers of the deck, all three female officers are charged to execute Momsen’s dynamic schedule, working tirelessly to coordinate engineering evolutions, combat exercises and ship-wide events.

“I worked really hard to get officer of the deck qualified, and the effort was definitely worth it,” said Berg. “I really enjoy watching less experienced junior officers in my watch team become proactive and take charge, especially when expertly, but rapidly, demonstrating pre-planned responses for everything from a small boat attack to a man overboard.  I know Momsen will be in good hands for a long time.”

Momsen officers of the deck also oversee high-risk evolutions, including launching and recovering rigid hull inflatable boats and helicopters. Other high-risk evolutions include weekly underway replenishments and weapons firing exercises. 

Momsen Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Sparks chose three officers to effectively drive the ship’s schedule, expertly maneuver during tactical warfare, and most importantly, maintain safe navigation when encountering vessels at sea or transiting through restricted waters. 

“Hands down, the best aspect of standing officer of deck underway is developing a cohesive team that can effectively and rapidly work together to accomplish several objects simultaneously to successfully execute the assigned mission,” said Cady. 

“It’s amazing to watch everyone work smoothly together, most notably with aggressive contact management while simultaneously executing internal and external communications,” added Thraen.  “The entire ship works as a team to accomplish its mission, and the focal point of the efforts is most apparent on the bridge.”

As Momsen’s junior officers become more proficient and earn advanced qualifications, the current officer of the deck watch standers will inevitably change, but the aggressive training conducted by the rotation of three female officers has kept Momsen on an even keel, ready for any tasking or unforeseen challenge.