The Aegis guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) departed Naval Base San Diego Nov. 29, for an independent seven-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The first ship to complete the DDG modernization (DDGMOD) midlife hull, mechanical, and electrical upgrade, John Paul Jones is a hallmark of both the platform and a successful maintenance program. The DDGMOD upgrade consisted of extensive changes through every compartment of the ship. Beginning in Spring 2010…