HONOLULU (NNS) -- Guided missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Decatur (DDG 73), along with embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 and staff from Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31, arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 3, for the final port visit in their Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) Western Pacific deployment.
Decatur and Spruance, operating under CDS 31, were most recently underway conducting routine patrols in the South China Sea prior to pulling into port.
Capt. Charles Johnson, commander, CDS 31, said the staff, which is homeported in Pearl Harbor, looks forward to sharing the culture and scenery of Oahu with Decatur and Spruance crews. The time in Hawaii will allow for some much needed relaxation before the ships continue their journey to their homeport of San Diego.
"The Sailors have worked hard during this deployment, and they greatly deserve this rest and relaxation here in paradise," said Johnson.
While in Hawaii, the ships will also embark riders for a tiger cruise. Tiger cruises provide family members and friends of the crew the opportunity to stay aboard the ship to see the daily operations of a surface naval vessel up close.
Decatur, Spruance and the embarked HSM 49 "Devil Fish" are part of the U.S. 3rd Fleet PAC SAG. USS Momsen (DDG 92) and the embarked helicopter detachment "Warbirds" of HSM 49 are also members of the PAC SAG.
Under the operational control of 3rd Fleet, the PAC SAG conducted routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities with allies and partners to enhance regional security and stability throughout their deployment. Since departing in April, the PAC SAG conducted several multilateral exercises with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea, Australia and France and also conducted joint exercises with U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps assets.
Momsen and Spruance spent part of the deployment participating in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI). OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program utilizing 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.
Later this month, Decatur and Spruance are scheduled to return to their homeport of San Diego, and Momsen will return to its homeport of Everett, Washington.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd 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.