Spruance (DDG-111) and Michael Murphy (DDG-112) returned home this week after 357 and 346 days in the sea, the last sign of how the U.S. Navy was involved in actions that were significantly removed from the standard of six to seven months, reaching almost a year.
This may be the longest sea period for ointment since World War II. Head of Naval Operations Ed Dr. Daryl Kahl told the soldiers that operations should be expected for at least 10 months in the future.
Navy leaders also told the families of Carrier Strike Group members, George H.W. hook. Bush (CVN-77) that they must plan to remain at sea for a year if the blockade continues or the war resumes. Caudle also warned of a "multi-year" effort to fix the destroyer's backlog of maintenance problems.