Navy Destroyers

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Comment by Paige on July 10, 2009 at 10:38am

Well Hans, I'm very happy to have a Howard connection!!! There is a Howard group over at the NavyForMoms site, but there are only about 5 members including me. Billy was recently promoted to PO3. He is an IC (Interior Communications Electrician). He is very anxious to join the Howard and was real disappointed that he missed this deployment. NavyDads Creator, EG has formed a group for the USS Ronald Reagan and he has added the Carrier Support Group 7 to that group. So, you might consider joining the group as we try to keep informed about all the ships in that particular support group.
I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with you and continue my learning process about the Howard. After Billy reports to the ship, maybe he can look your grandson-in-law up and make contact with him.

Comment by Hans, The Old Salt on July 10, 2009 at 10:25am

Coincidently, the Howard is the DD that my grand-son-in-law sails in.

He's doing great, a PO2 recently reenlisted. His wife (my grandaughter) is also a PO2 who serves on the staff of Vice Admiral Richard Hunt, ComThirdFlt, in San Diego.

Another grandson serves as a PO3 in USS Green Bay LPD-20 in San Diego.

Comment by Paige on July 10, 2009 at 10:07am

Hans, thank you for joining our Destroyer group! It's nice to have you here with us. Your past experiences of serving on destroyers will be a definite benefit to our group. My son, Billy has not yet reported to his ship the Howard DDG83. He has two more C-Schools to complete and should finish about the time his ship returns from their current deployment. I had the priviledge of taking a tour of the Howard on Mother's Day when I was in San Diego visiting. It was a thrill for me and I'm looking forward to attending their next family day cruise. I don't know if they have Tiger Cruises for the destroyers, but if they do you can be assured I will do everything possible to be a part of it.
Please keep us posted on how your grandson-in-law is doing!

Comment by Hans, The Old Salt on July 9, 2009 at 9:41pm

I served on three destroyers, old timers, DD537, DD762, and DD862. Have grand-son-in-law on a current DDG. What a great looking ship, but her tin-can bloodlines are plain to see. Might sail on his ship for a few days this fall from Pearl to CONUS. Looking forward to it.

Comment by Paige on May 30, 2009 at 3:01pm

Lee, welcome to the Destroyer Group. Glad to have you here with us!

Comment by Paige on May 19, 2009 at 9:39am

Welcome to the group Dave! Congratulations to Nick on his recent graduation from A-School. What a great place to go for his first duty station.

We look forward to learning about Nick as he progresses in his Navy career.

Comment by Paige on May 18, 2009 at 7:58pm

NNS090516-06. Navy Christens Newest Arleigh Burke-Class Ship Gravely

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

PASCAGOULA, Miss (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy christened the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107), May 16, during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.

"For those of you who sail on Gravely, this is your legacy. The namesake of your ship was the consummate Navy professional. He was calm in command, quiet and confident to his approach to any question, but make no mistake: He wore the unmistakable mantle of the captain." said retired Adm. J. Paul Reason, who delivered the ceremony's principal remarks.

Alma Gravely served as the sponsor of the ship named for her late husband. In accordance with Navy tradition, she broke a bottle of champagne across the ship's bow and christened the ship.

She said she looks forward to staying engaged with the crew and has already told the prospective commanding officer to have family cruises, known in the Navy as tiger cruises.

"It would be our duty and pleasure to be with the ship and be a part of the ship for the rest of the ship's life or my life and the children's lives, and I'm really looking forward to a family cruise."

She said her husband would be very proud of the honor to have a ship named after him.

"Whatever job you have, make sure you do it well because it's your ship and you want to be number one when they grade them for the [Battle] E. Keep the ship clean and do your job well."

The new destroyer honors the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. After attending Virginia Union University, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve in September 1942. In 1943 he participated in a Navy program (V-12) designed to select and train highly qualified men for commissioning as officers in the Navy. On Dec. 14, 1944, Gravely successfully completed midshipman training, becoming the first African American commissioned as an officer from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course. He was released from active duty in April 1946, but remained in the Navy Reserve.

Gravely was recalled to active duty in 1949. As part of the Navy's response to President Truman's executive order to desegregate the armed services, his initial assignment was as a Navy Recruiter, recruiting African Americans in the Washington, D.C., area. Gravely went on to a Navy career that lasted 38 years and included many distinguished accomplishments.

"Appropriately DDG 107 will be a member of the most powerful class of surface ships ever put to sea. She will serve as a platform for heroes for decades to come. We now have a vessel bearing his name to remind us who broke down the barriers that once kept African Americans away from the Navy," said Acting Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn.

Gravely was a true pathfinder whose performance and leadership as an African American Naval officer demonstrated to America the value and strength of diversity. Gravely's accomplishments served as watershed events for today's Navy. He was the first African American to command a warship (USS Theodore E. Chandler); to command a major warship (USS Jouett); to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral; and to command a numbered fleet (Third Fleet).

Gravely's wife said the late admiral would urge the ship's crew to pursue educational opportunities to achieve some of the same accomplishments.

"He believed in education, and I know that he would be telling them to study and get your education so that you can be promoted. He believed in education very, very much."

Cmdr. Douglas Kunzman is the prospective commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel of the 9,200-ton vessel.

"This is a Flight Two Alpha destroyer so it has two helicopter hangers, so it will carry as part of the ship's company two helicopters. In addition to that, it will bring a wide variety of new weapons systems, not just the munitions that are put on board but also the gun weapons systems to include the crew served weapons that are used today in countering piracy and also other small boat threats and small boat attacks," said Kunzman.

Designated DDG 107, the 57th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Gravely will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Gravely will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.

Comment by Paige on April 30, 2009 at 6:22pm

Navy News Service
Thursday, April 30, 2009

NNS090430-13. Arleigh Burke Departs for Deployment, Exercise Joint Warrior

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Candice Villarreal, Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) manned the rails aboard the guided-missile destroyer April 25, as the ship departed Naval Station Norfolk and set sail for a six-month deployment in support of maritime operations.

To kick off the deployment, Arleigh Burke and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 staff will participate in Exercise Joint Warrior. Lasting two weeks, the exercise takes place off the coast of the United Kingdom and incorporates American and North Atlantic allied forces. Other U.S. ships paroticpating in the exercise include USS Philippine Sea (CV 58), USS Porter (DDG 78) and USNS Kanawha (T-AH 193).

Exercise Joint Warrior will encompass Fleet Irregular Warfare Training (FIWT) focusing heavily on more non-traditional warfare areas such as counterpiracy and theater security.

"We're going to get a lot of realistic practice for the new emergent threats out there," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class (SW) Benjamin O'Connor, a boarding officer for Arleigh Burke's visit, board, search and seizure team.
Arleigh Burke is slated to support the U.S. maritime strategy in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations during its deployment. During the ship's transit to the region, Sailors on board the destroyer will earn shipboard qualifications and participate in numerous emergency drills, making the "Built to Fight" crew more efficient and battle ready.

"There are lots of new issues arising all over the world at any given time," said Damage Controlman Fireman Michelle Orton. "Our Navy helps protect all of the seas, and we have to be ready for anything. The drills and scenarios we are constantly running give us the training we need to be better at what we do."

According to Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Anthony Smith, Arleigh Burke has had a high percentage of crew turnaround over the last year.

"We are going back to familiar waters with a fairly new team," said Smith. "We're motivating a solid crew, training up nicely and preparing for a successful mission. By the time we come home, we will have accomplished a whole lot."

For many junior Sailors on board, the deployment also marks the first underway in their naval careers.

"It's slowly starting to sink in that we're not going to be going back home for a while," said Orton. "It's just something we have to get used to, though, because deployments come with the territory. They were part of the job description."

Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) Vera Smith said that while she misses her family at home, she knows the crew has a very important job to do for the next six months at sea.

"We're going to be out keeping the peace, showing anybody with bad intentions that we're here, establishing our presence," said Smith. "Being away from your family is easier when you know that you're playing a part in helping your children grow up to experience the same freedoms you have enjoyed."

Comment by Paige on April 22, 2009 at 7:07pm

NNS090422-36. Navy To Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Truxtun

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Truxtun, will be commissioned Saturday, April 25, during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony in Charleston, S.C.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Carol Leigh Roelker and Susan Scott Martin, descendants of the ship's namesake, will serve as sponsors of the ship. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when they give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

Designated DDG 103, the destroyer honors Commodore Thomas Truxtun (1755-1822) who embarked upon a seafaring career at age 12. When the Navy was initially organized, he was selected as one of its first six captains on June 4, 1798. Assigned command of the USS Constellation, one of the nation's new frigates, Truxtun put to sea to prosecute the undeclared naval war with revolutionary France. On Feb. 9, 1799, Truxtun achieved one of his most famous victories when Constellation battered the French warship L'Insurgente into submission in one of the most illustrious battles of the quasi-war with France.

Five previous Navy ships have been named Truxtun: a brig launched in 1842, two destroyers DD 14 and DD 229, a high speed transport APD 98 (initially designated a destroyer escort DE 282), and a nuclear-powered frigate (DLGN) later re-designated cruiser CGN 35.

The 53rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Truxtun will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Truxtun will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.

Cmdr. Timothy Weber, a native of Decatur, Ga., will become the first commanding officer and lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Truxtun was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Ingalls Operations, Pascagoula, Miss. The ship is 510 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.

Comment by Paige on April 20, 2009 at 2:49pm

Norman, thank you so much for joining our group. We're happy to have you here and would appreciate any insight you can share with us about Destroyers and your personal experiences. Thank you to you and your daughter for your service in the Navy. We would enjoy reading about how your sailor is doing also.

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