The guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) rejoined the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) upon completion of Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) tasking in the Western Pacific, March 11.

OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program leveraging Department of Defense assets transiting the region to increase the Coast Guard's maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting its maritime law enforcement operations in Oceania.

An embarked law enforcement detachment from U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South worked with Lawrence's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team and embarked air department from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 throughout the OMSI tasking. Together, they conducted eight boardings in support of U.S. and Pacific Island Nations (PIN) fisheries laws.

"OMSI was a great opportunity to engage with PIN in an enhanced capacity and to continue building our relationships and partnerships in the region," said Cmdr. Walter C. Mainor, Lawrence's commanding officer. "It was a privilege to be 3rd Fleet's OMSI platform and operate forward in the region."

Commander U.S. 3rd Fleet Vice Adm. Nora Tyson praised the crew for their participation in the joint maritime security initiative and for their completion of the first exercise of the 3rd Fleet Forward concept.

"The William P. Lawrence crew and embarked detachments did a phenomenal job. Their participation in OMSI demonstrates one way 3rd Fleet's role in operations is expanding. In the past, 7th Fleet would have taken over operational control once the ship crossed the international dateline, but for the entirety of the ship's OMSI mission, 3rd Fleet maintained operational control. This is a great example of how our forces complement one another and provide the foundation of stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region."

Lawrence now turns her attention to reintegrating with the JCSSG who has been conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. Stennis, along with USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93), transited the Luzon Strait March 1 and is conducting patrols in international waters.

"By transforming energy use and awareness, we become a more flexible fighting force - whether in the waters of the Western Pacific or in the waters we sail closer to home," said Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, commander, John C. Stennis Strike Group. "That flexibility becomes more operational time on station, more time to build partnerships, and more time to promote peace and stability in the region."

Despite her disaggregation from the JCSSG over the past weeks, Lawrence continued to play her part as integral asset of the Great Green Fleet, a year-long initiative highlighting the Navy's efforts to transform its energy use to increase operational capability.

The ship is using an alternative fuel and has adopted additional fuel conservation procedures, resulting in sustained operations at sea.

According to Lt. Quinn Matt, chief engineer, Lawrence burned an average of 20,159 gallons of fuel per day throughout OMSI tasking, which is only 4.4 percent of her total fuel capacity and 60 percent less than her average fuel burn rate in 2015.

"In conducting the OMSI mission, fuel conservation is an absolute must. Due to the geography of the region and the tyranny of distance, logistical support is in short supply over large swathes of the Pacific, especially for ships operating alone," said Matt. "By adhering to our fuel conservation measures, we were able to meet all our mission requirements and prolong operational endurance."

Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific, Lawrence is operating as part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment.

Commissioned June 4, 2011, Lawrence is named after Vice Adm. William P. Lawrence, a naval aviator, former Vietnam prisoner of war and former commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet. Lawrence is a recipient of the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation's third highest military award, for his inspirational leadership while in captivity.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

For more information please visit www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg110 or www.facebook.com/usswilliamplawrence.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.c3f.navy.mil/.