The guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) returned to Naval Station Norfolk today following a five-month independent deployment in support of ballistic missile defense and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Under the leadership of Cmdr. Robert W. Lightfoot, Laboon commanding officer, the crew conducted a variety of operations with multinational allies while also providing support to the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Amphibious Readiness Group.

Laboon's crew performed superbly during all events and evolutions. Most notably, in response to Syria's use of chemical weapons, Laboon successfully launched Tomahawk missiles to destroy Syrian infrastructure and chemical weapons production facilities.

"The team performed well, regardless of the missions assigned," said Lightfoot. "From providing presence, protecting U.S. and Allied shipping, to kinetic operations, this crew handled it all with skill and professionalism."

The deployment's other highlights include 36 Sailors being promoted; 63 qualifying as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists; and five qualifying as Surface Warfare Officers.

Logging more than 36,000 nautical miles, Laboon traversed several major choke points, conducted two Strait of Gibraltar transits, four Suez Canal transits, 12 Bab-Al-Mandeb transits and two Strait of Hormuz transits, often while escorting other vessels.

The crew was able to get some rest and relaxation. The deployment was bookended by trips to Rota, Spain as well as the Republic of Djibouti, and Duqm, Oman. Laboon also conducted a port visit to Alexandria, Egypt, where Sailors were afforded a rare opportunity to visit and experience culturally significant sites, such as the Pyramids in Giza and the Library in Alexandria.

"Our port visits provided a great opportunity for our Sailors to visit places and experience cultures that few Americans will ever get" said Lightfoot. They will be showing pictures and telling stories from those visits for the rest of their lives."

For more information about Laboon, see the ship's social media sights:
https://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg58/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/USSLABOON/


For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.