Fourth Deployment and Periodic Training
Her return to Naval Station San Diego on 6 December marked the end of the 9.4 million dollar refurbishment and refitting period. The destroyer got underway the following week to begin the work up for her next deployment, and on 14 December, She began her holiday leave and stand down period. The crew assembled in mid-January 2002 to continue efforts in support of her inter-deployment training cycle and Tactical Tomahawk testing. In early February, Stethem anchored off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; this was the first foreign port visit by any U.S. naval combatant since the terrorist attacks on America on 11 September 2001.
In the ensuing months Stethem embarked on her third Inter Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) and served as Command Destroyer Squadron 23’s flagship throughout the month of February. In March, Stethem completed the Command Assessment of Readiness for Training II (CART II). Between the weeks of 1 April and 3 May 2002, Stethem completed the Tailored Ship’s Training Availability period. On 6 May Stethem served as the opposition forces for the Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group’s Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).
In early June, Stethem earned her seventh Engineering Command excellence award as a result of outstanding performance during the Engineering Underway Demonstration. On 8–12 July, she commenced a supply management assessment which was upgraded to an inspection because of her exemplary combat logistics readiness. Returning to the site of her commissioning in 1995, at the end of July, Stethem took part in the 60th Anniversary of Seabee Days in Port Hueneme, CA in honor of her namesake. She then transited to Everett, WA, embarked families and friends for the short transit to participate in the Seattle Seafair Festival. On 12 September 2002, Stethem was given the distinct privilege of leading the Parade of Sail into San Diego Bay. In the beginning of October, Stethem occupied a place of honor downtown at Broadway Pier as part of San Diego’s Fleet Week Celebration. While at Broadway Pier, Stethem safely hosted the first public Navy ship tours in San Diego after the 11 September attacks. Soon afterward, on 16 October, Stethem successfully launched the first Tomahawk Cruise Missile using the new Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS). At the end of October, Stethem once again played the role of opposition force, this time for the Constellation carrier battle group.
In January 2003, Stethem played the opposition force role for the Nimitz carrier battle group. On 5 February 2003, Stethem returned to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for another port visit. Working with the San Diego and Puerto Vallarta Navy League Chapters, Stethem delivered medical equipment for distribution to handicapped residents of Puerto Vallarta. The crew also painted the local library frequented by many of Puerto Vallarta’s school children. On 5 April 2003, Stethem successfully performed the first ever surface ship launch of a Block IV Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile, bringing it one big step closer to fleet introduction. This was followed up on 8 May with the first surface ship launch of a Block IV Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile with a live warhead. After the missile left the launcher, Stethem's strike team became the first to demonstrate Tactical Tomahawk’s post launch execution capability when they redirected the missile in flight. Both the team and the missile performed flawlessly, completely destroying the intended target on San Clemente Island after over 2 hours and 700 miles of missile flight.
On 14 May, after a two-week intermediate maintenance availability, Stethem sailed in support of a different kind of missile-firing exercise. During this exercise Stethem's air warfare team engaged two airborne targets with Standard Missiles. After this successful engagement, Stethem celebrated by transiting north to Juneau, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. All of the crew took advantage of great opportunities for sightseeing and shopping.
Returning from her trek up North in June, Stethem rested for one week and then put back to sea to serve as the opposition force against Pacific Fleet's first Expeditionary Strike Group, which was headed up by USS Peleliu.
Stethem returned to homeport from a port visit in Hong Kong on 6 December 2006.
Commanding Officer: CDR Brent DeVore
Executive Officer: CDR Christopher Adams
Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/AW) Trenton Schmidt
Read more about this topic: USS Stethem (DDG-63), Ship History
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