USS Sterett returns from eventful maiden voyage

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A guided-missile destroyer that took fire during a high seas clash that resulted in the deaths of four American hostages at the hands of Somali pirates returned to San Diego from its deployment Wednesday.

The return ends the maiden deployment of the USS Sterett, which departed in October.

On Feb. 22, the Sterett was shadowing the pirates when they fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the vessel. In response, Navy SEALs boarded the 58- foot sailboat on which a Marina del Rey couple, Jean and Scott Adams, and their friends, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle of Seattle, were being held.

All four had been fatally shot. Two pirates were killed and 15 captured.

The Adams' boat was seized by the pirates a couple of days earlier off Oman.

No Navy personnel were injured, and there was no damage to the Sterett.

During the deployment, the Sterett also took part in exercises with the Indian Navy and military of the United Arab Emerites.