USS Fletcher DD-992 departs Hawaii

[dachef73]

i miss her i was stationed there from '93-'97

[winacka]

My Dad and stepmom were on the USS Kinkaid and did the "Sea Swap" program to the USS Fletcher in 2002. I know my Dad's last deployment was around this time, wonder if he was on board??

[randy946]

@winacka There were four teams during the historic crew swap on Fletcher's last 23 month deployment. Team Fletcher took her out from home port Pearl Harbor in 2002, then she was relieved in Australia by Team Kinkaid, Team Oldendorf and Team Elliot respectively, each doing about 6 months. Each team decommissioned their respective destroyers (all Spruance class) before taking over Fletcher. The last team, Elliot, was from San Diego so Fletcher returned there in June 2004.

[winacka]

@randy946 I knew my dad decommissioned his ship before going on the Fletcher. But I did some research and figured out that they were the first crew to "swap". But thank you for the information!!!

[randy946]

@winacka Your dad was part of an historic first. Ironically, the first Fletcher also did a crew swap in September 1968 in Pearl Harbor, swapping crews with USS Philip, then going back out on a deployment after only a 3 months since the previous one. About 90% of the crew was swapped, a few were retained including myself, so in that regard it was not a full swap like what your dad participated in.

[winacka]

@randy946 Have they done any other crew swaps like this?

[randy946]

@winacka I don't think so but I could be wrong. "Sea Swap" is the name of the event and I think you can Google it to find more information.

[outging01]

my dad was on this ship before i was born:) he loved the navy.

[docstevil]

wow i was on abord this ship from 1990-1992

she was one of my fav ships of the 6 ships i served on

[Handtojohnny981]

I can't believe I ever would say that I miss this stuff!! They fantail shot was worth the whole video....Thanks

[ocnhs73]

I'm a plankowner...onboard during commisioning to 1984. I have a great time even though work is hard.

Lucky Lucero

[Mahdah]

was onboard from 93 to 96.  miss it

[lizzidarloangel]

Nice Video My b/f making this trip now on the Port Royal but the other way around he is leaving San Diego to come back to Hawaii ....

[kingpoker18]

Brings back exciting memories for me too. Thanks a bunch!

[jimmytheclutch]

I was on board 992 from 1982-1985. Thanks for bring back some memories. I have a USS Fletcher Myspace page. Please come and visit. Thanks again.....Jimmy