SAN DIEGO - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Dewey (DDG 105) and USS Sterett (DDG 104) returned to San Diego, May 11, following a three-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

While deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet, the ships and crews, assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, joined the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) enhancing the capabilities of the "Up-Gunned ESG."

Dewey and Sterett operated together to bring additional weapons capabilities to the traditional ESG. While on station, they joined the Wasp ESG for integrated operations in support of the Amphibious Readiness Group.

"This deployment was an excellent proof of concept," said Cmdr. Anthony Webber, commanding officer of Dewey. "Sterett and Dewey had an unique opportunity to become part of history by adding increased fighting power to the traditional ESG, further expanding the abilities of our Navy as a whole. I’m very proud of my crew and the hard work that they put forth over the last few months to support the ESG."

Under the operational control of U.S. 7th Fleet, Dewey conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35, Det. 2 was embarked on Dewey during the deployment and helped complete multi-warfare missions, including search and rescue operations and high-end maritime warfare scenarios.

Sterett, and an embarked detachement from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, also conducted routine operations in the South China Sea and visited Hong Kong.

“I’m incredibly proud of the crew and all of their hard work over the last three months," said Cmdr. Claudine Caluori, Sterett commanding officer. “They met every challenge head on, conducted themselves professionally, and executed our missions in the 7th Fleet AOR (area of responsibility) perfectly. We’re all excited to come home and be reunited with our friends and families."

Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission ships with air warfare, submarine warfare, and surface warfare capabilities, designed to operate independently or with carrier strike groups, surface action groups or amphibious ready groups.

Dewey and Sterett are homeported in San Diego and are part of Naval Surface Forces and U.S. 3rd Fleet.

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