US Navy surface action group makes first stop in Hawaii

The U.S. Navy’s Sterett-Dewey surface action group (Sterett-Dewey SAG) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 11, for the first stop of the group’s Western Pacific deployment.

The group is composed of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Dewey (DDG 105) who are joined by their embarked helicopter detachments from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 and HSM 78, and the command staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31.

During the transit to Hawaii, the Sterett-Dewey SAG completed a series of training and certification exercises. The group additionally worked with Carrier Strike Group 11 in a series of communications exercises.

The Sterett-Dewey SAG deployed from Naval Base San Diego on March 31 and will operate with regional navies to conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability in the Western Pacific.

U.S. 3rd Fleet will retain control of the Sterett-Dewey SAG as it crosses the international dateline and enters the 7th Fleet area of operations. This operational concept allows both numbered fleets to complement one another and provide the foundation of stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“The Sterett-Dewey SAG has demonstrated exemplary technical and tactical proficiency and teamwork, giving this deployment a very strong start,” said Capt. David A. Bretz, commander, DESRON-31. “I’m extremely proud of the dedication and mission focus on display from every Sterett-Dewey SAG Sailor and we are looking forward to putting these sharpened skills to use in support of maritime security and stability operations with our partners and allies in the Western Pacific.”