Sunday, December 06, 2009

USS Wayne E. Meyer Arrives in San Diego

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Martin

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, arrived at its new homeport in San Diego Dec. 4, where the ship will be stationed after transiting from the Bath Iron Works Shipyard in Bath, Maine.

"From Bath, Maine to here it took us about two months," said Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class (SW) Matthew Luke Willis. "We left Bath, Maine, on Sept. 25 and arrived here today."

During its transit, the ship stopped in Philadelphia, Rodman, Panama, and Manzanillo, Mexico.

"I am ecstatic right now!" said Kimberly Davis, wife of Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Brackshea Davis. "I missed him so much and I am so glad they are here!"

Wayne E. Meyer is the 58th destroyer in her class and is named after Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer.

The ship also carries the 100th Aegis combat system; an advanced command and control, weapons control system which powerful computers and radars use to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets.

Meyer will provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and humanitarian /disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the nation's maritime strategy when forward deployed.