SAN DIEGO, California -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), along with an embarked detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 “Monstars,” returned to its homeport of Naval Station San Diego, Nov. 18, following an independent deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
While in 7th Fleet, Lake Erie conducted Enforcement Coordination Cell operations in various areas of the Western Pacific, monitoring shipping vessels in support of United Nations sanctions against North Korea. They worked to identify not only the North Korean ships that are receiving products in violation of these sanctions, but the feeder networks that are providing the transfers to include the commercial entities from all across the region.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this crew and the way they handled themselves during this unique deployment,” said Capt. Christine O’Connell, commanding officer of Lake Erie. “Our efforts operating forward were in support of a multinational coalition bringing unity and reassurance to areas of uncertainty in the Western Pacific and the Lake Erie crew excelled through every challenge faced in that dynamic environment. We are all looking forward to hard-earned rest with loved ones.”
While in various ports, Lake Erie participated in multiple community relation events including teaching English to Japanese students while in Yokosuka, Japan, and helping clean the grounds of a school house in Busan, South Korea.
The ship covered approximately 52,000 nautical miles over the course of its deployment.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet works in close coordination with U.S. 7th Fleet to provide commanders with capable, ready assets across the spectrum of military operations in the Indo-Pacific.