File Photo by Mori Keizo/UPISept. 17 (UPI) -- The USS John S. McCain on Friday headed to its new homeport in Naval Station Everett, Wash., after 24 years in Yokosuka, Japan, the Navy said. While forward-deployed to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, the USS John S. McCain has supported joint and multinational exercises and military operations, including troop surges in Iraq. "It is definitely a changing of the guard with USS John S. McCain and her crew departing the 7th Fleet after over 24 years in Japan," Capt. During its most recent seven-month deployment, the USS John S. McCain participated in the annual multinational exercise MALABAR. The USS John S. McCain will join the U.S. 3rd Fleet, which leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific.