]Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) and an embarked detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 conducted operations with Carrier Strike Group 12 and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), participated in multiple international maritime exercises and confiscated more than 1000 lbs. of narcotics in direct support of Combined Maritime Forces’ counternarcotics mission.

“Our team is proud to welcome back Port Royal after a truly exceptional deployment which is evident by their many successful missions across the 5th and 7th Fleet AORs,” said Rear Adm. Robb Chadwick, Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. “We are fully committed to our mission of keeping Pearl Harbor ships combat-ready throughout their maintenance and operational phases, thus ensuring we are equipped to execute the Navy’s tasking across the globe when called.”

During their deployment, the crew of Port Royal enhanced cooperative interoperability and capabilities in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman with participating units from France, Belgium, Japan and the U.S. during Group Arabian Sea Warfare Exercise 21. Additionally, during the annually Oman-led multilateral exercise Khunjar Hadd 26, Omani Lynx helicopters landed aboard Port Royal, marking the first time this type of Omani aircraft has landed on a U.S. warship.

While operating in U.S. 7th Fleet, Port Royal served as the air defense commander for the Makin Island ARG. As part of Makin Island ARG, Port Royal also participated in bilateral flight operations with the Republic of Singapore Air Force as well as Expeditionary Strike Force operations in the South China Sea alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. Port Royal’s support to the ARG reinforced US commitment to protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea toward a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s timeless roles of sea control and power projection. U.S. 3rd Fleet works in close coordination with other numbered Fleets to provide commanders with capable, ready assets to deploy forward and win in day-to-day competition, in crisis, and in conflict.

For more information on Port Royal’s recent deployment, please visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/cg73/.