SAN DIEGO - Guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Decatur (DDG 73) returned to San Diego, Nov. 14, following a seven-month Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) deployment in the western Pacific.

As part of the inaugural PAC SAG, Decatur and Spruance were joined by the Everett, Washington-based USS Momsen (DDG 92), as well as embarked "Devil Fish" and "Warbirds" detachments of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, also based in San Diego. During the deployment, the PAC SAG was under the direction of Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31, from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Under the operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet, the PAC SAG conducted routine patrols, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation activities with allies and partners to enhance regional security and stability. Since deploying in April, the PAC SAG conducted several multilateral exercises with Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and France, and joint exercises with the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps assets.

"I am honored to have served on the first PAC SAG with these hard-working Sailors," said Capt. Charles Johnson, commander, CDS-31. "Their loved ones should be proud of the perseverance they demonstrated these past seven months, and we are thrilled to be home."

Along with Momsen, Spruance spent part of the deployment participating in Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) patrols. OMSI is a secretary of defense program which uses 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.

Spruance and Decatur are homeported in San Diego and are part of U.S. 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, working constantly with U.S. 7th Fleet. The forces of both fleets complement one another across the spectrum of military operations in the Pacific.