SAIPAN (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) arrived in Saipan for a regularly scheduled port call, Sept. 24.
The port call provided Momsen's crew an opportunity to refresh after four months of operations in the Western Pacific and South China Sea as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group.
Under the operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet, the PAC SAG is conducting routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability. The U.S. Navy maintains a presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to help preserve peace and security and to further partnerships with friends and allies.
Momsen, along with USS Decatur (DDG 73), has conducted multilateral exercises with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea navy, as well as U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps assets.
"Our crew has performed superbly on this deployment," said Cmdr. Elaine Brunelle, executive officer of Momsen. "We've operated effectively throughout the Western Pacific, and the operations we've completed further enhanced our relationships with strategic partners in the region."
After the port call, Momsen will participate in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program leveraging Department of Defense assets transiting the region to increase the Coast Guard's maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting its maritime law enforcement operations in Oceania.
Momsen, Decatur and USS Spruance (DDG 111) are part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet PAC SAG deployment, promoting freedom of navigation and lawful use of the sea, as well as further operational training and enabling an exchange of culture, skills and tactical knowledge throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet works constantly with U.S. 7th Fleet. The forces of both fleets complement one another across the spectrum of military operations in the Pacific.