Petty officer returns home from Gulf deployment

Monroe — Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Christina E. Gallagher, daughter of Ruth M. Gallagher of Monroe, returned from a scheduled deployment while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer U.S.S. Gonzalez, whose homeport is Norfolk, Va. Gallagher joined the Navy in August 2000. The detroyer conducted maritime security operations for the U.S. Fleet while assigned to the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group. The operations set the conditions for security in the maritime environment and complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. The mission of Gallagher’s ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. It is capable of operating independently or as part of a strike group to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore.