7th Fleet Focus: Story of the Day

This is a fairly innocent story right?

USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) began participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Aug. 9.

Valiant Shield 2007 brings together more than 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard in the Guam operating area.

With so many moving parts involved, to include the John C. Stennis, Nimitz and Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Groups, there are certain challenges, which the participants have to overcome for the exercise to succeed.

“Anytime you have a group of ships and an air wing working together with a carrier, it’s a complex environment,” said Lt. Justin Harts, Paul Hamilton’s operations officer. “With three carriers, you have three times the complexity. You’re talking about trying to integrate three different common operating pictures. It’s a lot to sort out.”

While Paul Hamilton is participating in Valiant Shield 2007, their role is to protect USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). They do this by conducting anti-submarine warfare exercises.

So while reading blogs today, I noticed bubblehead had a post up about Valiant Shield 2007. I have looked over his links and can't find where he found that pic, but I'm accepting it as legit. Upon a closer inspection, I am almost certain that picture is the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60).

Ouch.