Zumwalt tackles surface warfare basics in first operational employment

[Tony]

WASHINGTON — The stealth destroyer Zumwalt has returned from three months of operations in the Western Pacific, achieving a number of firsts for the new class of ship even as its primary payload — a hypersonic missile — remains under development.

Zumwalt departed its San Diego homeport Aug. 1 and returned Nov. 10, ship commanding officer Capt. Amy McInnis told reporters Wednesday. After a full year of workups, the ship headed toward Guam and then on to Japan, conducting a number of joint and bilateral training events along the way.