Cmdr. Kevin Dore, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), hugs his family during the return to homeport celebration at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)

Welina hou, USS Daniel Inouye!

After a nine-month deployment, the guided missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye returned Friday to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Friends and family welcomed the ship and crew home during a homeport celebration.

The Daniel Inouye completed its first successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th fleet areas of operation as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. Daniel Inouye promoted regional stability and security, deterred aggression and protected the free flow of commerce.

The ship’s crew demonstrated readiness and responsiveness throughout the deployment but especially during a rescue on Aug. 23 when the ship’s rigid-hull inflatable boat along with a search and rescue helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron saved two distressed Iranian mariners in international waters and transported them to the USS Theodore Roosevelt for medical care.

“Every single day this crew goes about their da_ily routines, treating every drill like it’s real life. Every time a real situation comes up, everyone is cool, calm and collected under pressure,” said Cmdr. Ryan Kelly, executive officer of Daniel Inouye. “That is ‘going for broke,’ when you give everything you have to everything you do in training. I’m honored to be part of a crew that gives their all every single day like the team on this ship.”

Cryptologic Technician Technical 2nd Class Tad Holm, assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), hugs his family following the Daniel Inouye’s return to homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)

Chief Information Systems Technician Kasim Barnett, assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), poses for a photo with his family following the Daniel Inouye’s return to homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)

Friends and family of the crew of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) welcome the ship and crew home at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)

Friends and family of the crew of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) welcome the ship and crew home at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), pulls into its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)

“Go For Broke” was the motto of the Army’s storied 442nd Regimental Combat Team and is now carried on by the crew of Daniel Inouye, featured prominently on the ship’s crest.

When not conducting sea operations, Daniel Inouye sailors also had the opportunity to enjoy foreign cultures during port visits to the South Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

“When you look at the history of Daniel Inouye, he had to fight to prove that he was an American through joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. On this deployment, we as the Sailors of USS Daniel Inouye, carried his name into the Pacific and then into the 5th Fleet area of operation for the very first time, honoring his legacy,” said Cmdr. Kevin Dore, commanding officer of Daniel Inouye.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), pulls into its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 4, 2024. (Paula Hackbart/U.S. Navy)