The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) returned to her homeport of Naval Station Pearl Harbor April 23 following a three month deployment to the Western Pacific in support of the Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment program.
Hopper departed Pearl Harbor Jan. 20 to join the John C. Stennis Battle Group and members of Destroyer Squadron 15 while supporting the Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment program. While on deployment, Hopper participated in numerous advanced phase training events and exercises in addition to acting as a ballistic missile defense asset by providing an increased presence of naval ships in the 7th Fleet area of operations.
The Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment program calls for Hawaii-based surface combatants to focus on the Western Pacific by conducting intermediate/advanced training and regular deployments in the Western Pacific. The program also furthers America's maritime strategy by posturing credible power in the Western Pacific to protect our vital interests, assure our friends and allies and deter potential adversaries.
Hopper is 505 feet in length, 66 feet wide and has a maximum speed of 30 plus knots. Guided-missile destroyers operate in support of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups and are multimission platforms.