Decatur (DDG 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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CDR VICTORINO G. MERCADO COMMANDING OFFICER CDR Vic Mercado was bom in Portsmouth, Virginia on February 20, 1961. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Computer Science. His first assignment after Surface Warfare Officers School in Coronado, California was Missile Fire Control Officer and later Combat Information Center Officer in USS LEFTWICH (DD 984). Next, he served as the Damage Control Assistant in USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50) where he participated in the re-flagged Kuwaiti oil tanker escort operations in the Arabian Gulf. Rotating ashore, CDR Mercado earned a Master of Science in Systems Technology in Joint Command, Control and Communications from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, completed Department Head School with distinction, and returned to sea as the Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer in USS ANTIETAM (CG 54). During a 40 month tour in ANTIETAM, he oversaw the first ever installation, test, evaluation and deployment of the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) with the CARL VINSON Battle Group. Additionally, during the deployment, he assisted in the enforcement of the no-fly zone over southern Iraq in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. CDR Mercado s most recent sea assignment was with the Forward Deployed Naval Force as Executive Officer in USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. His most notable accomplishments during this tour were the planning and execution of CURTIS WILBUR ' s homeport shift from San Diego to Japan and deployment with the INDEPENDENCE Battle Group as the Air Warfare Commander. CDR Mercado ' s significant shore assignments include Washington D.C. tours with the Navy ' s engineering and acquisition community, the Navy Staff, and as a Congressional Fellow. He was the Command. Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) Warfare Systems Engineering Manager for the AEGIS Program Manager (PMS 400) and served as an Action Officer and as the Vice Director, Navy Staff for Staff Operations and Special Events (N09BX) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Prior to reporting to DECATUR, he served as the National Defense Legislative Fellow for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee in the 106th Congress. CDR Mercado ' s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals and various individual and unit campaign medals. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) at Air University in Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama and is also a former Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Shiphandler of the Year award winner. CDR Mercado is married to the former Ms. Suzane Balan. They have two children - Daniel (12) and Melinda (9) and call Oxnard, California home.