The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, following an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operation, Feb. 3.
Michael Murphy departed Pearl Harbor in June 2021 as an independently deployed unit led by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1. Michael Murphy participated in Operation Sentinel, promoting freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, and Southern Red Sea. Additionally, Murphy supported U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, enhancing interoperability with allies and partners and served as a ready-response force to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Our goal at the beginning of this deployment was to defend international interests in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets, and our relentless efforts, working with allies, partners and other U.S. naval units did just that,” said Cmdr. Jason Lautar, Michael Murphy’s commanding officer. “I am proud of this ship, but particularly this crew, who accomplished something over the last eight months that they, their loved ones, and their families can be proud of.”
In support of Operation Sentinel, Michael Murphy completed 10 Bab el-Mandeb and eight Strait of Hormuz transits. Throughout these 18 strait transits, Michael Murphy escorted a variety of ships, to include Essex Amphibious Ready Group, three U.S. patrol craft, one U.S. military sealift command ship, two U.S. Coast Guard cutters and three merchant ships in order to ensure safe passage and promote maritime stability.
While in U.S. 5th Fleet, Michael Murphy embarked a USCG advanced interdiction team and conducted flag verification boardings of stateless dhows to help ensure maritime security in the region. It served as the air warfare commander and the Tomahawk land-attack missile launch area coordinator for the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
Michael Murphy operated alongside allies and coalition warships and served as the command-and-control unit during the Patrol Craft Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training live-fire missile exercises. In addition, the ship participated in an exercise alongside the Israeli navy to practice and hone search and rescue tactics. During this exercise, the ship and its crew integrated the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, to practice search and rescue patterns, which led to the recovery of two exercise targets. The ship also embarked members of the Egyptian navy to strengthen partner-nation maritime collaboration and interoperability.
Following the support to U.S. 5th Fleet, Michael Murphy joined the Essex Amphibious Ready Group – comprised of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77), the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) – in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to ensure maritime security and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
While assigned to the ready group, Michael Murphy participated in joint expeditionary strike force operations with Carl Vinson CSG, and then integrated with Task Force (CTF) 71 and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) led by CSG 3 to support maritime security and enhance regional stability.
During deployment, Michael Murphy successfully completed 23 replenishments-at-sea, transferring a total of 650 pallets of stores and nearly five million gallons of fuel. The embarked helicopter squadron completed two vertical replenishments.
An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.
For more Michael Murphy information, please visit the ship’s website at
https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/ddg112/ or the Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/USSMichaelMurphy.