Decatur (DDG 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Hello Shipmates, Families, and Friends, The fifth U.S warship named after the legendary Commodore Stephen Decatur set sail on her first deployment on 07 January 2000. It was a wonderfully successful deployment to the Western Pacific, which marked a lot of firsts even for those sailors who have deployed numerous times. For myself, it was the first deployment where I deployed independent from any Battle Group or Surface Action Group. It was the first deployment that I had instantaneous and mostly continuous connectivity with my Operational Commanders and folks at home via e-mail and direct-to sailor phones (yes, there are still communication black holes out there). It was the first time that I had the opportunity to watch a SuperBowl live while at sea (although, I was truly disappointed that neither team wore Purple and Gold! ) It was my first to exotic places such as Kota Kinabalu Malaysia, Suva Fiji, Pago Pago American Samoa, and Brisbane Australia. But none of these places held as much personal meaning to me as my return to Guam for the first time on a warship that I am in Command. The people of Guam opened their hearts and homes to my Officers and Crew. It was truly a magical visit that I will always remember with fond memories. Our deployment was also filled with numerous operational achievements including several bi-lateral operations with several other Navies. I cannot say enough good things about my crew during this deployment. They met every operational commitment asked of them, perfomied superbly as Ambassadors of the United States at over 14 port visits with zero liberty incidents, and had no safety mishaps. I have told my crew that this particular deployment is a once in a lifetime experience. I believe our experiences can attest to that. It was a privilege to have sailed the Western Pacific waters with such dedicated and outstanding professionals. It is my hope that you enjoy the many faces and places highlighted in this cruise-book. They are what made Decatur ' s landmark maiden deployment a truly magical one. God bless and AGE QUOD AGIS! Best Regards, CDR Pete A. Gumataotao Commanding Officer

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USS DECATUR DDG 73 In Pursuit of Peace I tmn ' ir A destroyer is a lovely ship, probably the ni cest fighting ship of all. Battleships arc a little like steel cities or great factories ofdestriictioji. Aircraft carriers are float iiig flying fields. Even cruisers are big pieces of macl.u fiery, but a destroyer is all boat. In the beautifiil clea)i lines of her in her speed and roughness, in curious gallantry she is completely a ship, in the old sense. - fohfi Steinback

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WestPac 2000 Depart San Diego 7 Jan Pearl Harbor Hawaii 13- 14 Jan SHA REM 132 26-28 Jan Chiiihae, S. Korea 29 Jan-3 Feb Yokosuka, Japaji 7-12 Feb Nagasaki, Japan 14-17 Feb Okinawa, Japan 18-19 Feb Hong Kong PRC 22-25 Feb Balikatan 01-2000 Exercise 27 Feb-02 Mar Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia 6-9 Mar Guam 14-18 Mar SOCEX 1-00 23-25 Mar Guam 29-30 Mar Cross Equator (south) 3 Apr Sura, Fiji 9-12 Apr Pago Pago, American Samoa 14-18 Apr Syd}iey, Australia 26-30 Apr Brisbane, Australia 3-5 May Darwin, Australia 13-16 May Cross Equator (north) 19 May Guam 23 May Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 1-2 Jun Return to San Diego 8 Jun