Decatur (DDG 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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03 Qj o CD E o nipmates Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2002) s hipmates, I can ' t express how proud I am of you and what you accomplished these past seven months. On November 12, 2001 we deployed two months ahead of schedule to join the Global War Against Terrorism and support OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. We did that and more. We guarded the Amphibious Ready Groups off the coast of Pakistan, escorted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, conducted Leadership Interdiction and Maritime Interception Operations including numerous boardings, worked with many foreign Navies, and provided presence, stability, and support for the birth of the world ' s newest nation. East Timor. Our success in each of these missions was due to a total team effort - outstanding technicians, operators, cooks, engineers, etc. striving to achieve a common goal. We were combat ready and the Battle Group could always count on DECATUR to be timely, accurate, and reliable with even the toughest tasks. You are our nation ' s and Navy ' s finest and I am thankful and proud to have sailed with you on this different and historic deployment as your Captain. This deployment was a short-notice call to service where our job was to take the fight to the terrorists, disrupt their planning and organization, capture them if possible, and deter their escape by sea, among others. We did that and still found time to enjoy some very nice places around the world representing our Navy and country. I hope that you enjoy the many faces and places highlighted in this cruise book. It ' s a compilation of Sailors at war, relaxing at sea, working hard, playing, enjoying liberty, and showing the Flag - memories for a career and a lifetime. Reflect on these memories often and be proud of your service during the war and throughout WESTPAC 2001 - 2002, as I am. Take care and God Bless. V.G. Mercado

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USS DECATUR (DDG 73) OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM I am a United States Navy Sailor. I have trained all my days to protect you to give you comfort in your time of need. I have watched my loved ones cry on the pier, I have shed a tear at the pain and sacrifice they share with me. May their sacrifice not go unnoticed. But I do it for a greater cause, I don ' t do it for the money; I don ' t do it for the medals or the benefits. I do it for the promise I made to you. A promise to keep our land free from all evils. A promise to give your family a peace of mind. And your children a future with no fear. This book is filled with all of our memories some good, some bad, but all for the cause. It ' s filled with memories of our sleepless nights, few port visits and great shipmates. It ' s filled with the pain of being away and tears for our fallen shipmates. We did our job and we are proud of it. But when the time came we were properly relieved to go home to our loved ones The ones we sacrificed the most for. Enjoy our memories. We are your DECATUR Sailors Written by: 0S2(SW) Aumack

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OPERATION ENDURING Fp{EEDOM DEPLOYIvIENT 2001r2002 DEPART SAN DIEGO HONG KONG INGAPORE . NDIAN OCEAN BAHRAIN, UAE SHAREM EAGER SENTRY 2002 no OPS BAHRAIN, UAE PHUKET, THAILAND BALI, INDONESIA DILI, EAST TIMOR GUAM T PEARL HARBOR, HI TIGER CRUISE ARRIVE SAN DIEGO 12 NOV 2001 24 NOV- 27 NOV 30 NOV - 3 DEC 5 DEC 2001 13 FEB- 16 FE 21 1VIAR - 26 MA 30 MAR - 1 AP ; 2APR-6AP 19 APR- 24 AP. 6 MAY- 10 MA 13MAY-17MA 19 MAY -21 MAY 25 MAY - 26 MAY 1JUN-3JUr • 3JUN-8JUN -• 8JUN200: ftt