Mitscher News

A U.S. Navy warship came to the aid of a sailing vessel drifting about 150 nautical miles east of the Bahamas on Saturday.After the distressed vessel radioed for help on Friday morning, U.S. Coast Guard District 7 coordinated with USS Mitscher (DDG 57) , the closest ship able to render aid. Mitscher rendezvoused with the vessel later that evening and towed it overnight to the closest port of San Salvador, Bahamas.The 51-foot sailing vessel had a damaged steering shaft and was unable to maneuver.

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

1862 - CSS Virginia is destroyed by Confederates off Craney Island to prevent capture. 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, Marines and Sailors from USS Marblehead (C 11) and USS Nashville (PG 7) cut the trans-oceanic cable near Cienfuegos, Cuba, isolating Cuba from Spain. For heroism during this action, 54 Marines and Sailors received the Medal of Honor. 1943 - In the Attu Operation, Task Force 16, commanded by Rear Adm. Thomas C. Kinkaid, landed a force of 3,000 US Army troops of the 7th Division in the cold and the mist of the Aleutians. 1945 - During the Okinawa Campaign, kamikazes crash into Task Force 58s flagship, USS Bunker Hill (CV 17). As a result, Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher transfers his flag to USS English (DD 696), then to USS Enterprise (CV 6) on May 14.

When the 17-story ship glided through the cool morning mist like an apparition in the Virginia town,  many didn't realized that it was a replica of a French frigate that in 1780 transported General Lafayette to America to rally US rebels battling for independence. The Hermione, which carried the Marquis de Lafayette to the US colonies, sailed into Yorktown, Virginia, to kick off a series of events along the east coast. The symbolic return of the Hermione pays homage to Lafayette and the Franco-American alliance that brought victory at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. The ship was guided into Virginia by the Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mitscher. The much-anticipated vessel — which took 17 years and nearly $30 million to build — fired its unarmed cannons as it neared shore.

General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics has been awarded a $36.4 million contract for maintenance, modernization, and repair of the USS Mitscher (DDG 57). "This award is a testament of the hard work by the General Dynamics NASSCO team and the collective effort to reduce costs and improve our competitiveness through continuous process improvements," said Jeff Brooks, senior general manager at General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk. The work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by March 2016. The contract has a total potential value of $40 million if all options are exercised.

Today in U.S. 1821 - Lt. Robert F. Stockton sails from Boston for Africa to carry out his orders to help stop the international slave trade. 1943 - Aircraft from USS Ranger sink five German ships and damage three in Operation Leader, the only U.S. Navy carrier operation in northern European waters during World War II. 1952 - Task Force 77 aircraft encounter MIG-15 aircraft for the first time. 1976 - USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) rescues seven survivors of a Finnish motor craft that sank in the Baltic Sea.

US Department of Defense awards New Year contracts to BAE Systems & Science Applications International Corp. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., was awarded a US$50,180,546 undefinitized contract action as a modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00024-10-C-4308) for the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) fiscal year 2013 extended drydocking selected restricted availability. Extended drydocking selected restricted availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that will update and improve the ship’s military and technical capabilities. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by August 2013.

'Joint Warrior', a two-week exercise, designed and led by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) in the UK has begun. 'Joint Warrior'  is the largest military exercise in Europe and began off the coast of Scotland, Oct. 1, 2012. "The exercise is designed to test the skill, knowledge and equipment of the participants in a range of different environments," said Capt. Paul Titterton, director of JTEPS. Three United States Navy ships are taking part in the exercise, led by Commander Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 26.

1821 - LT Robert F. Stockton sails from Boston for Africa to carry out his orders to help stop the international slave trade. 1943 - Aircraft from USS Ranger sink 5 German ships and damage 3 in Operation Leader, the only U.S. Navy carrier operation in northern European waters during World War II. 1952 - Task Force 77 aircraft encounter MIG-15 aircraft for the first time. 1976 - USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) rescues 7 survivors of a Finnish motor craft that sank in the Baltic Sea. 1991 - USS Arkansas, USS Sioux, USS Aubrey Fitch and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SIX rescue personnel on merchant ships in three different rescue operations in the Arabian Sea. 1998 - U.S. and Algierian Navies conduct first bilateral exercise since Algerian independendence in 1962.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) departed for its maiden deployment May 11. The strike group, led by the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and its nearly 6,000 Sailors; is scheduled to conduct operations in the U.S. Navy's 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe. Working with allied and partner maritime forces…

1821 - LT Robert F. Stockton sails from Boston for Africa to carry out his orders to help stop the international slave trade. 1944 - Aircraft from USS Ranger sink 5 German ships and damage 3 in Operation Leader, the only U.S. Navy carrier operation in northern European waters during World War II. 1952 - Task Force 77 aircraft encounter MIG-15 aircraft for the first time. 1976 - USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) rescues 7 survivors of a Finnish motor craft that sank in the Baltic Sea. 1991 - USS Arkansas, USS Sioux, USS Aubrey Fitch and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SIX rescue personnel on merchant ships in three different rescue operations in the Arabian Sea. 1998 - U.S. and Algierian Navies conduct first bilateral exercise since Algerian independendence in 1962.

Commander, 2nd Fleet ordered ships based in Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia to get underway Sept. 16, to avoid potential damage to ships and piers from anticipated hurricane force winds and high tidal surges. Ships currently underway will stay out to sea until Hurricane Isabel passes. Vice Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet, said the decision to sortie the ships from Hampton Roads is based on concerns for the safety of Sailors, and the preservation of the ships and associated equipment. Forty Hampton Roads-based ships and submarines will get underway Sept.

Exercise Four Norfolk-based ships departed Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 20 to participate in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet’s annual theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, Smart Search ’04.The exercise begins Aug. 29 off the east coast of the United States. This is the fourth year of the annual exercise and is headed by Commander, Task Force 84. The goal of the exercise is to effectively employ and improve the combat capability of Atlantic Fleet submarines and afloat ASW forces while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of operations ashore.The exercise will test, assess and improve the proficiency of Navy theater ASW forces in a complex, realistic training scenario involving Navy ships, submarines and aircraft. ASW remains an important part of U.S.

October 4, 1821 - LT Robert F. Stockton sails from Boston for Africa to carry out his orders to help stop the international slave trade. 1944 - Aircraft from USS Ranger sink 5 German ships and damage 3 in Operation Leader, the only U.S. Navy carrier operation in northern European waters during World War II. 1952 - Task Force 77 aircraft encounter MIG-15 aircraft for the first time. 1976 - USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) rescues 7 survivors of a Finnish motor craft that sank in the Baltic Sea. 1991 - USS Arkansas, USS Sioux, USS Aubrey Fitch and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SIX rescue personnel on merchant ships in three different rescue operations in the Arabian Sea. 1998 - U.S. and Algierian Navies conduct first bilateral exercise since Algerian independendence in 1962.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Barrie Barber, U.S. PANAMA CITY, Panama (NNS) -- Nineteen nations have combined military and civil forces in Fuerzas Alidas PANAMAX 2007, a U.S. Southern Command joint and multinational exercise Aug. 29-Sept. 7, to ensure the continued security of the Panama Canal. The U.S. Navy and participating nations have deployed 30 vessels, a dozen aircraft and more than 7,000 personnel in cooperation with Panama, which maintains the historic canal as a neutral waterway that is crucial to global maritime commerce and peace and prosperity in the region. “This year’s PANAMAX is a truly amazing exercise,” said Brig. Gen. Manuel Ortiz, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army South who spoke at an opening ceremony Aug. 29. Vice Adm.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Alexia M. USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) arrived in Vasco Nunez de Balboa on Aug. 25 after completing a series of theater security cooperation events with Central American partner nations during Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. While in Panama, Pearl Harbor and other POA units participated in a joint and multinational training Exercise, PANAMAX 2007, tailored to the defense and security of the Panama Canal. “PANAMAX provides realistic training opportunities for forces operating in multinational environments,” said Cmdr. Victor Cooper, Pearl Harbor commanding officer. Sea, ground and air force personnel and observers from 20 countries…

USS Mitscher (DDG-57) successfully completed a northbound Panama Canal transit early morning on July 12, marking the first trip through the historic canal for the 13-year old warship. Mitscher entered the Miraflores Lock near midnight July 11, and then proceeded north through the Pedro, Miguel and Gatun Locks before emerging at 4 a.m. near Cristobal, Panama. “The Panama Canal transit was a fitting end to the Central and South American phase of our Partnership of Americas deployment,” stated Cmdr. William McKinley, Mitscher’s commanding officer. “Most of the crew had never made the transit and will never forget this event. Sailors were up through the night to assist in navigation and line-handling details, as Mitscher traveled the 44.5 miles of canal.

The Argentine supply ship ARA Patagonia (B 1) participates in exercises alongside dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) to mark the beginning of UNITAS. Navies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain and the United States are participating in UNITAS Atlantic 48-2007 from May 2-13 off the coast of Argentina. UNITAS is a combined South American- and U.S.-sponsored annual exercise that incorporates forces from several participating nations. Argentina is hosting this year’s Atlantic phase. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lenny M. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Holly Boynton, U.S. Commander, Task Force Four Three (CTF 43) provided supply support to numerous U.S. and partner nation naval ships during a recent exercise off the coast of Argentina.

Partnership of the Americas Task Group 40.0 conducted Passing Exercises (PASSEX) while underway with the Brazilian Navy on April 23 during Partnership of the Americas 2007. Within 36 hours, 18 events were completed to train the multinational task group in different warfare areas along with three Brazilian ships: BNS Independencia (F 44), BNS Bosisio (F 48) and BNS Gastao Motta (G 23). The task group is composed of USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and Chilean Frigate CS Almirante Latorre under the tactical command of Capt. Randy Snyder, Commander Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 40. “This is a great opportunity for United States, Chile and Brazil to work together prior to UNITAS Atlantic,” said Lt. Cmdr. Donald Voelbel, CDS 40 operations officer.

Partnership of the Americas (POA) Task Group 40.0 conducted Passing Exercises 21 with the Spanish Frigate Santa Maria (F 81) while underway during POA 2007. The PASSEX contributed to improved working relationships between the two navies and served as a foundation for increasing responsiveness and promoting regional security initiatives. Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Miluska Salazar, watchstander, had a brief conversation with a Spanish sailor from the Santa Maria while the ships were close together. “It was very exciting because he was waving at his friends and telling me about life on his ship while we conducted the PASSEX,” said Salazar.

Sailors from USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) "Sammy B" and embarked helicopter detachment, Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48, arrived in the Port de France Martinique on April 3, for the first port visit of the ship’s Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007 deployment to South America. Arriving with the Samuel B. Roberts will be the Chilean Navy Frigate Almirante Latorre (FFG 14). Latorre will be working side by side with the “Sammy B” throughout this deployment. In addition to donating a variety of supplies provided through Project Handclasp, many Sailors will have the opportunity to interact with local communities through community relations projects such as minor repairs to schools, hospitals and orphanages.

Sailors aboard dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) man the rails as a tugboat assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor guides the ship into Pearl Harbor. USS Pearl Harbor is currently in port to honor those who valiantly fought to defend the island of Oahu during the attack on December 7, 1941. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Naval Station San Diego on March 28 to begin their role in a U.S. Navy Task Group conducting Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. POA 2007 is a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command deployment designed to support the U.S. Southern Command…

1815 - USS Constitution captures the British vessel Susannah. 1945 - Carrier aircraft from Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher's Task Force 58 strike Japanese installations around Tokyo. 1967 - Operation River Raider begins in the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.