Resident, Shipmates Ready For Deployment

For Robert W. McKavanagh of Arlington Hts., the months of drills, inspections and training evaluations are finally over.

McKavanagh and his shipmates aboard the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) have proven to the Navy that they are ready to deploy to the Arabian Gulf and can handle anything that may occur during their six-month mission, scheduled to begin in early January.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class McKavanagh, the 25-year-old son-in-law of Robert and Josephine Maller of Arlington Hts., and the crew of Lake Champlain have spent the last six months conducting exercises to prepare for deployment overseas.

Now, as part of the USS John C. Stennis Battle Group, Lake Champlain will participate in Operation Southern Watch by enforcing United Nations' sanctions against Iraq.

McKavanagh believes it is important to deploy ships to this hostile region of the world.

"We have to maintain a presence around the globe," said McKavanagh, who is married to the Mallers' daughter Deana.

As a cryptologist, McKavanagh uses high tech equipment to collect and transmit sensitive data on board Lake Champlain.

Displacing 9,600 tons, Lake Champlain's primary mission is to help defend USS Stennis (CVN 74) from air, surface and submerged threats.

With advanced radar, sonar and weapons systems, the 563-foot-long Lake Champlain can deliver a lethal blow to any adversary.

Daily life on board this vessel can be demanding, but Sailors like McKavanagh still have the opportunity to pursue personal and professional goals, even during a deployment.

The two-year Navy veteran says, "I plan to take college courses and obtaining my enlisted surface warfare specialist qualification."

McKavanagh and the other professionals aboard Lake Champlain know that deploying ships on a regular basis is the only way to maintain peace and to assist those who cannot help themselves.

"We deploy to help maintain peace, and if a war does break out, we're already there," McKavanagh said.