USS Ford (FFG 54) returned from a five-month deployment to their homeport at Naval Station Everett, Sept. 28.
Ford was among other U.S. warships deployed in the waters of Southeast Asia supporting Combined Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT),
conducting a series of exercises intended to bring about stronger international relations with many Southeastern Asian nations.
“We were on a CARAT deployment with USS Jarrett (FFG 33) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and were able to visit Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei,
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan,” said Ensign Anthony Smith. “While we were in these countries, we participated in bilateral naval
exercises, both in port and underway, which focused on interoperability between us and them, as well as between themselves.”
Some of the key issues addressed and trained in were anti-piracy, disaster relief, VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure), multi-ship tactics,
and anti-submarine operations.
“This was a very successful deployment,” said Fordís Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Donald Eddleman. “We did about 30 [community relations]
projects which included everything from handing out soccer balls and books to barbeque events. Our crew did something each day and promoted
good relations with the people of the host nations. Each Sailor was an outstanding ambassador for the United States and the Navy.”
“While we were in port, we had a wide variety of activities for the Sailors,” said Commanding Officer, Cmdr John Wilshusen. “We make an effort to
get involved with multiple community relations-type projects. About 40 to 50 of my crewmembers were involved at any given time working with
orphanages, schools, hospitals, cleaning up parks or distributing donated toys. The Sailors had a good time doing all those things and it was fun
to watch.”
Some Sailors aboard Ford believe the underway period was difficult, but were up to the various assignments they received while at sea.
“We worked with six different navies in a span of approximately three and-a-half months, said Wilshusen. “Each navy had different capabilities,
different language barriers and so on. It was a great challenge, but the crew overcame. Now the Sailors are able to enjoy a much needed rest.”