USS Laboon deploys

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon left Naval Station Norfolk on July 11 for a Ballistic Missile Defense operations deployment.

According to the U.S. Navy, the ship has been preparing for the deployment since receiving the Ballistic Missile Defense upgrade in March 2011. The ship will deploy to the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

“The crew has done an extraordinary job preparing Laboon and themselves for deployment, Cmdr. James L. Storm said. “We are ready to undertake a variety of missions and eager to be a ‘value-added’ asset to the fleet commander in support of theatre and strategic goals.”

The Navy said this is the first deployment for many of the crew after a year of training.

Laboon is the 8th Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer and is the only Navy Ship named after a Navy Chaplain, Father “Jake” Laboon. During World War II, Laboon was awarded the Silver Star for diving off his submarine to rescue a downed aviator while under enemy fire.