Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), and guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Higgins (DDG 76) played a critical role from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in the April 13 Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) strikes into Syria.

The three ships launched a total of 60 TLAMs to significantly impact the Syrian regime's ability to develop, deploy and use chemical weapons in the future.

"When called upon by our nation's leaders, Monterey and the combined forces conducted prompt combat operations incident to operations at sea by precisely projecting power ashore," said Capt. Dave Stoner, commanding officer of Monterey. "This was a textbook operation executed superbly by well-trained maritime professionals ... I could not be more proud of my entire team and their performance."

From the Red Sea, Monterey fired 30 TLAMs, and Laboon fired seven TLAMs.

"Every Sailor aboard contributed to the safe, precise and complete execution of the tasks needed to be in position, on time, with ready equipment and ready Sailors when the orders arrived," said Cmdr. Robert Lightfoot, commanding officer of Laboon. "Just like our ship's namesake, Jake Laboon, we were ready when our moment came and executed our mission calmly, proficiently and without fear."

From the North Arabian Gulf, Higgins fired 23 TLAMs.

"My Sailors rigorously trained during deployment work-ups and continuously during deployment to be ready for all assigned missions, and it paid dividends during this total team win," said Cmdr. Victor Garza, Higgins commanding officer.

President Donald J. Trump announced the combined forces of the United States, France, and the United Kingdom launched precision strikes against Syria's chemical weapons capabilities shortly after the strikes. The attack against the targeted capabilities was designed to stop the country's president, Bashar al-Assad, from using banned chemical weapons - weapons have been banned since their widespread use during World War I.

"The purpose of our action tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons," Trump said. "Establishing this deterrent is a vital national security interest of the United States. The combined American, French and British response to these atrocities will integrate all instruments of our national power."

"In summary, in a powerful show of allied unity, we deployed 105 weapons against three targets," said Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, joint staff director. "That will significantly impact the Syrian regime's ability to develop, deploy and use chemical weapons in the future."

This is the second time in the past year the United States struck Assad's chemical network. In April 2017, Trump ordered an attack against the Shayrat air base after Syrian aircraft dropped bombs containing the nerve agent sarin. Some 58 missiles hit aircraft and chemical weapons facilities at the base.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.cusnc.navy.mil/.