The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Oct. 18, after more than five months in U.S. 5th Fleet.

While in U.S. 5th Fleet's theater of operations, McFaul was the lead ballistic missile defense unit for Operation Inherent Resolve, and conducted routine maritime security operations while engaging in theater cooperation efforts in the region.

Quote:
"I couldn't be more proud of the Sailors of McFaul and how they have conducted themselves during this deployment. This crew of warriors is professional, committed to excellence, and patriotic."
- Cmdr. Michael J. Gunther, commanding officer, USS McFaul

Quick Facts:
During McFaul's time in U.S. 5th Fleet, the ship and crew received various accolades as a highly skilled military unit, and were recognized for the contributions they made to strengthening ties among many of the Gulf Coast nations.

McFaul conducted approach-and-assist visits with local mariners, led multi-national naval exercises, and conducted a several community relations projects in support of the citizens of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

McFaul operated in tandem with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike group (TRCSG), comprised of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Normandy (CG 60), and the destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81).

Since deploying, McFaul has steamed over 26,000 nautical miles, and made port calls in Spain, Greece, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

McFaul, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.