Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Media interested in covering USS Benfold's arrival should contact Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs Office by 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 at (619) 437-3873 and plan to meet at Naval Base San Diego Pass/ID office at 12:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 to gain access to the base.

SAN DIEGO - The Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS Benfold (DDG 65), will return from its seven-month, independent deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility 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,' said LeBron. "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.'"

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. Operational commanders relied on Benfold for Ballistic Missile Defense missions as combat systems readiness.

Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and is responsible for providing realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

For more information on USS Benfold (DDG 65) visit:
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg65

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