Welcome

WELCOME

Dear Shipmate,

Welcome aboard! A huge congratulations on your assignment to the USS Preble (DDG 88). We are genuinely excited for you to become part of our crew. You’re joining one of the most technologically advanced destroyers in the world, and in a fantastic part of the globe! As a member of Destroyer Squadron 15, our ship is part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) based in Yokosuka, Japan. This is an incredibly rewarding assignment, and serving in the FDNF fleet is a unique and memorable experience for both our Sailors and their families.

You're joining a ship with a proud history. Commissioned in 2002, we are the sixth warship named for Commodore Edward Preble, a hero of the Revolutionary War and the first Barbary War. Today, our ship carries on that legacy as a true one-of-a-kind vessel—the first destroyer in the world equipped with a high-energy laser and the Navy’s latest Aegis Combat System.

To make your transition as smooth as possible, your first step is to get connected with a sponsor. If you haven't been assigned one yet, please send a quick email to sponsor@ddg88.navy.mil with your name, rank, email, and phone number. Your sponsor will be your personal guide, ready to help you and your family with the move to Japan. They are your primary resource for any questions you might have. Once you're in touch, feel free to ask them for the password to our "USS PREBLE (DDG 88) Family and Crew" Facebook group—it's a great way to connect.

Another wonderful resource for our families is our Command Ombudsman, who is a professionally trained specialist ready to provide information and support. You can reach them anytime at prebleombudsman@gmail.com.

We understand that moving overseas comes with its own unique set of challenges. But please know, you are not making this journey alone. Our ship and the majority of our crew just made this same move in 2024, so we are all very familiar with the process. We are more than happy to share our experiences, resources, and the lessons we've learned along the way. Your sponsor is there to answer any and all questions, so please don't hesitate to ask.

Getting orders to join the team on Preble is like winning the lottery! You are about to become part of the best crew the Navy has to offer, and we can't wait to welcome you.

On behalf of the entire Wardroom, Chief's Mess, and Crew, congratulations again on your orders.

We look forward to your arrival and wish you safe travels.

CDR Andrew Vann

Commanding Officer

USS Preble (DDG 88)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Ombudsman?

Ombudsmen serve as a liaison between the command and families. They are available to assist and advise all family members of USS PREBLE sailors. Ombudsmen communicate with the command's families by newsletter, e-mail, and telephone. The Ombudsmen can be reached at prebleombudsman@gmail.com

What is the job of the Ombudsman?

Serve as a liaison between command families and the command.
Keep the commanding officer informed regarding the general morale, health and welfare of command families.
Communicate regularly with the Command and Command family members.
Establish and maintain an up-to-date and timely telephone tree to rapidly distribute and gather information. (This is especially useful during emergency situations or when a natural disaster or crisis strikes.)
Aware of services provided and contact information of the Fleet and Family Support Centers and other support organizations available to Navy Families (i.e. Tricare, PSD, and Housing).
Serve as a source of emergency and crisis information.
Maintain confidentiality.
Establish, maintain, or contribute to the Yahoo! Russell Families Online Group providing information to families.

What is the confidentiality policy of the Ombudsman?

Every phone call and conversation is kept confidential, with the exception of the following topics:

Spouse abuse.
Child abuse or neglect.
Drug and/or Alcohol abuse.
Suicide, potential or attempted.
Threat of physical harm to yourself or another person.

What is the Family Readiness Group (FRG)?

PREBLE’s FRG is a family networking group that provides support and camaraderie among its members. The FRG is a valuable way for family members to gain information about resources, policies and events that may impact families of PREBLE sailors or families of service members as a whole.

The group has an active social media presence. Please contact the command Ombudsmen for access to the Facebook group.

What is the American Red Cross Emergency Communications Service?

If there is a family emergency (i.e. death or serious illness of a family member) or other important event (i.e. birth of a child) and you need to contact a sailor onboard the USS PREBLE, you will need to contact the ship’s Ombudsman as well as the American Red Cross. The Red Cross will assist in verifying the emergency with local agencies (hospitals, police, etc.). Such verification is both essential and mandatory if a service member is to be able to receive emergency leave and financial assistance to assist in getting home.

Examples of family emergencies include (but are not limited to):

Injury, hospitalization or death of someone in the service member’s immediate family.
A disaster or event (such as hurricane, flood, fire, earthquake, etc.) that affects the family and which disrupts normal communication between the service member and their family.

How to Contact the Red Cross to send an Emergency message:

Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members may call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number (877) 272-7337.
Other family members who do not reside in the service members’ household, members of the National Guard and Reserves, retirees and civilians may access Red Cross services through their local Red Cross chapter, which is listed in the local telephone directory and at American Red Cross online at www.redcross.org/where/where.html.
Overseas personnel stationed on military installations should call base or installation operators or the on-base Red Cross offices.
At overseas deployment sites, contact the American Red Cross deployed staff.

When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a service member, it is helpful to have the following information: Service Members:

Full Name (Last, First and Middle Initial)
Rank/Rating
Branch of Service (US Navy)
Social Security Number
Military Address: (USS PREBLE DDG-88, FPO AP 96675)
Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit (for deployed service members only. USS PREBLE DDG-88 Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan)

Attachments:

Ombudsman Support Brief

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Podcast Orders to Japan

Yokosuka Sponsorship on Demand