Decatur (DDG 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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Commanding Officer Commander Peter A. Gumataotao United States Navy Commanding Officer USS DECATUR (DDG 73) Commander Peter A. Gumataotao, a native of Agana, Guam, earned his commission in May 1981 from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapohs, Maryland where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Resources Management. His first tour at sea was on board USS BAGLEY (FF 1069) as First Lieutenant and CIC Officer. He later served as Battery Control Officer in USS WORDEN (CG 18). During this tour he was the recipient of the Hawaii Navy League Award. Ashore, he served as Assistant Surface Operations Officer and Surface Systems Analysis Officer for COMTHIRDFLT. He was COMTHIRDFLT ' s primary action officer for the planning and execution of Operational Test Launches of Tomahawk cruise missiles to include the only open ocean Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM) live test shot conducted in the Pacific Fleet. During his tour as Combat Systems Officer aboard USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57), the ship received the Battle Efficiency Award, and his department was awarded the Spokane Trophy Award for Combat Systems excellence. Commander Gumataotao was the recipient of the COMNAVSURFPAC Shiphandler of the Year award while on board USS REUBEN JAMES. Additionally, USS REUBEN JAMES was one of two ships that accompanied CINCPACFLT on a historic port visit to Vladivostok, Russia in 1990. While serving as Combat Systems Officer for COMDESRON THIRTY ONE, Commander Gumataotao participated in numerous undersea warfare research and development projects both in open ocean and shallow water towed array operations. Commander Gumataotao earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and was the United States representative at the Naval Staff College. His most recent sea assignment was as Executive Officer on board USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54). During this tour. Commander Gumataotao assumed the duties as Commanding Officer of USS CURTIS WILBUR while the ship was deployed to the Arabian Gulf. Following his sea tour, he served as a Fellow for the CNO Operations Strategic Studies Group at the Center for Naval Analysis in Washington, DC and then served as Congressional Liaison for Surface Programs at the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs. Commander Gumataotao ' s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).