SAN DIEGO - The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) will return to San Diego from its seven-month, independent deployment to the 7th Fleet area of operations Jan. 11.

Cmdr. Richard LeBron, Benfold's commanding officer, credits the ship's crew with a successful performance during the deployment. "Our remarkable success over the last seven months is testament to the skills, professionalism, and inexhaustible energy of Team Benfold.

"I woke up every day inspired by my reliable and resolute crew who gave their all each and every day to ensure Benfold lived up to our motto and remained '100 percent ready 100 percent of the time," LeBron said.

Throughout Benfold's deployment, she performed thousands of helicopter deck landings and was handpicked to validate warfare doctrines for minesweeper and maritime infrastructure defense.

With 10 port visits in 2012, Benfold Sailors served as international ambassadors during their time ashore, while operational commanders relied on Benfold for Ballistic Missile Defense missions.