NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- The USS Laboon (DDG 58) is scheduled to deploy Friday from Naval Station Norfolk.
The guided-missile destroyer will head to the U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of operation to conduct maritime security operations, which includes the area of the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean.
During the ship's last deployment in 2017, the crew confiscated hundreds of pounds of heroin in several drug busts.
It's a true case of no-rest-for-the-weary for the USS Laboon. They just returned from deployment last July now they are shipping out again.
It's an important mission. Families left behind are proud, but sad to see their sailors go.
"Very hard, very hard, especially with a baby," said Thomas Pimentel, Sr., father of a Laboon sailor. "But it's something we knew he had to do. The country needs him. So, got to do it."
With just a 7-month turnaround, the crew stayed in a constant state of readiness.
"We knew about it prior to last deployment," said Command Master Chief Angelo Rappa. "So, everybody kind of stayed in a bit of deployment mode. Training was consistent. Sailors are ready to get back out to it."
This deployment comes as the surface fleet faces increased scrutiny following the fatal crashes last summer of the USS McCain and USS Fitzgerald.
The Laboon's commanding officer welcomes it, including new certifications for officers of the deck.
"I've got a great team of officers of the deck up there. they know to call me when they need help," said CDR Jason Labott. "It's a great idea. We on Laboon, we actually made that a key part of how we do things."
The Navy did not announce a length for the deployment. If it were to last a typical six months, the ship and crew would return to Hampton Roads sometime in August.