The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, USS Nitze (DDG 94), departed Nov. 29 on a seven-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of operations.
The ship will conduct maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in and around the waters of Europe and Africa.
“The U.S. Navy has routinely deployed throughout Europe and Africa to promote peace, regional cooperation and security. Nitze will continue to do its part to help ensure this is maintained,” said Cmdr. John Bub, commanding officer.
This is the ship’s fourth deployment since her 2005 commissioning. Nitze deployed with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group to the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas in last March and returned Nov. 4, 2012.
The ship is capable of firing surface-to-air missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles from forward and aft vertical launching systems and is configured with port and starboard torpedo tubes, one five-inch gun; and advanced electronic warfare systems. Nitze will deploy with more than 220 Sailors and civilians.
DDG 94’s name honors Paul H. Nitze, whose career included serving as the 57th Secretary of the Navy from 1963 to 1967. He also served as Deputy Secretary of Defense, was a member of the U.S. delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Affairs. In 1984, Nitze was named special advisor to the President and Secretary of State on Arms Control. President Reagan awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 for his contributions to the freedom and security of the United States.
[mappress] Press Release, December 02, 2013; Image: US Navy