I was able to get some shots from RimPac '06 (July). Another ship took these pictures of us shooting two SM-2. The Standard Missile is our primary air intercept weapon. The Naval Station on Kuauai shot two drones at us. We tracked them and launched two missiles to intercept and destroy them. One missile actually made skin-to-skin contact, a rarity. Generally they explode in the near vicinity of the target, either destroying it or severely diabling it.
We had a drag race on our way back to Hawaii from San Diego. Its not very often we get to go flank speed, which is 30+ knots (35 mph) for a destroyer. DDGs are capable of producing 100,000 shaft horsepower. Its good times and we kick up a big 'rooster tail' at the tail end of the ship. We ended up winning, mostly because we kept going after the other ships had some engineering casualties.
nice little wake.
lining up
It is hard to tell here, but the props kick up water 20+ feet into the air. That rooster tail was taller than me stading on the deck. For those interested, here is a page detailing the specs of the USS Hopper. It is the same class ship as the O'Kane.
Nacho Libre x 2
We went hiking a few days later.
A postal worker and an injun with a blade she probably shouldn't be caring around.
Halloween in Honolulu is a big event, people pack the streets. You see some crazy costumes. 
The morning we pulled in from our 6-week underway.
The island in the early morning mist.
The fantail.
A few sonar techs, all smiles before a few well-deserved days off.
Cleaning and stowing.
A funny shot I threw in. Me taking a cat nap during a general quarters drill, don't tell on me.
A few of us in front of the torpedo launhcers right after we shot.
Its not abnormal for me to have a mouth full of food.
Lazy sonar techs...
You never knew that a Vertical Launching System could be used to hold soda and potato salad.
Even the overcooked burgers are great in the middle of the ocean.
Together again.
Half the Pile clan, the mentally retarded half...
Military material.
Allie, probably on her cell phone.
Mom and Allie
+ Dad
Ben and Audre were trying to get as close to the water as they could...
The crew watching American Idol bloopers, a must see.
Two of my favorite babes - mom and my cousin Melanee.
RimPac was a bit long for underway but otherwise it was pretty sweet. A lot of countries with a lot of ships. The base was pretty full. Most of the pictures were taken during the last day, during a photo exercise. We were the only ship not to get "shot" during the war games. All in all it was 21 days of war games and tactical exercises.
USS Chafee
A Japanese destroyer and one of their diesel submarines
I thought it was funny that even in the middle of the ocean there was a Japanese guy taking pictures.
A shot of about half the task force involved in RimPac.
