Most capable guided-missile destroyer joins US forces in Western Pacific

From Update-Ph (Mar 4): Most capable guided-missile destroyer joins US forces in Western Pacific 

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) has entered 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific March 2, the United States Navy said. Barry completed a midlife modernization, making it among the most capable ships in its class.

Barry is replacing USS Lassen (DDG 82).

USS Barry is fitted with the latest Aegis Baseline 9 combat system which includes state of the art air defense, ballistic missile defense, surface warfare and undersea warfare capabilities.

The US Navy said Barry’s presence in the 7th Fleet supports the US Navy’s long range plan to send the most advanced and capable units to the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

“After a strenuous training cycle following a yearlong shipyard period, the excitement from the crew of Barry can be felt throughout the deck plates,” said Cmdr. Jennifer Eaton, commanding officer of Barry.

Barry brings more advanced Link capabilities including Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) to aid interoperability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, US Navy said.

USS Benfold (DDG 65), also an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer that undergone modernization like Barry, was deployed to 7th Fleet October last year.

In 2017, USS Milius (DDG 69), another modernized Arleigh Burke-class, will also be deployed to 7th Fleet.

US 7th Fleet’s AOR includes 36 maritime countries and the world’s five largest foreign armed forces, People’s Republic of China, Russia, India, North Korea and Republic of Korea. Moreover, five of the seven US Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in the area, Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

http://www.update.ph/2016/03/most-capable-guided-missile-destroyer-joins-us-forces-in-western-pacific/3025