USS Mahan (DDG-72)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Mahan.
USS Mahan
USS Mahan underway in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in September 2002.
History
United States
Name: USS Mahan
Namesake: Alfred Thayer Mahan
Ordered: 8 April 1992
Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Laid down: 17 August 1995
Launched: 29 June 1996
Acquired: 22 August 1997
Commissioned: 14 February 1998
Identification: DDG-72
Motto: Built to Fight
Status: in active service
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
Displacement:
  • Light: approx. 6,805 tons
  • Full: approx. 8,939 tons
Length: 505 ft (154 m)
Beam: 66 ft (20 m)
Draft: 31 ft (9.4 m)
Propulsion: 4 General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, two shafts, 100,000 total shaft horsepower (75 MW)
Speed: >30 knots (56 km/h)
Range:
Complement:
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
Armament:
Aircraft carried: 2 Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters can be embarked

USS Mahan (DDG-72) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer currently in service with the United States Navy. She is named for seapower naval theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan being the fourth Navy ship to bear the name. This ship is the 22nd destroyer of her class. USS Mahan was the 12th ship of this class to be built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and construction began on 17 August 1995. She was launched on 29 June 1996 and was christened on 29 June 1996. On 14 February 1998 she was commissioned in Tampa, Florida. Mahan is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, and as of 2012 is attached to Destroyer Squadron 2. By 2016 the ship was part of Destroyer Squadron 22.[1]

History

The keel of Mahan was laid on 17 August 1995. Her mast was stepped on 6 February 1996, and she was launched and christened later that year on 29 June. The ship's sponsor is Mrs. Jennie Lou Arthur, wife of Admiral Stan Arthur. Her Aegis Combat System was lit off on 19 December.

1997 was a busy year for Mahan. Alpha/Bravo trials occurred on 21 July, Charlie trials on 5 August, and Delta trials on 12 August. The ship was officially transferred to the Navy on 22 August, and her Crew moved aboard on 17 October.

The ship’s first underway was 16–17 January 1998 from Bath, Maine, to Portland, Maine, for a three-day port visit. The weather was particularly heavy, and many of the crew members who had not put to sea before felt the effects of seasickness. Underway from Portland on 21 January, the ship pulled into her new homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, on 24 January. Mahan stayed in Norfolk until departing for her commissioning ceremony.

Mahan was commissioned at 1100 on 14 February 1998 at Tampa, Florida by the Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, Vice Admiral Henry C. Griffin, III, USN with Commander Michael L. James, USN, commanding. Distinguished guests included Mr. Allen Cameron, President of Bath Iron Works, the Hon. Charles T. Canady, Congressman from Florida’s 12th District, and the Hon. George Nethercutt, Congressman from Washington’s 5th District. Mahan stayed in Tampa until 17 February, returning to Norfolk on 21 February. Mahan briefly left at the end of the month to conduct Combat Direction Finding System testing at sea.

The next few months saw events including Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART), ammunition onload at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA), Industrial Hygiene Survey, Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trail (CSSQT), evaluation at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), MISSILEX, Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) qualification, VANDALEX, Final Conduct Trial, a post-Shipyard Availability Conference, and a recruiting video shoot, all before the end of July. In August, Mahan hosted the change of command ceremony for Commander Destroyer Squadron 26.

Mahan was placed in drydock in Portland, Maine on 1 September as part of the post-Shipyard Availability (PSA). Mahan departed Portland on 16 November, and during the transit back to Norfolk, conducted her first underway replenishment, with USNS Big Horn. The ship was underway twice for Helicopter Deck Landing Qualifications (DLQs) before the end of the year.

Mahan departed Norfolk, Virginia, on 19 February 2000, on her maiden deployment to the Meditrranean as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Battle Group.[2] She returned home on 18 August later that year.

Mahan's second deployment began when she departed Norfolk, Virginia, 20 June 2002. While deployed to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic Ocean, she made port visits in France, Scotland, Spain, Gibraltar, Slovenia, Crete, Malta, and the United Kingdom. She returned 20 December the same year.

On 16 February 2007, Mahan was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.[3]

In June 2009 Mahan participated as an opposition force unit during USS Harry S. Truman's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

In July 2009 Mahan participated in Operation Northern Trident, where she met two Royal Australian Navy ships, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Ballarat, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The three ships conducted combined exercises at sea and a four-day port visit to New York City, New York. Mahan crew members worked with their Australian counterparts in cleaning the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines Center in midtown Manhattan. Receptions were held onboard all three ships while offering tours to the public. Crew members were able to pay their respects by conducting a wreath laying ceremony at the World Trade Center. Several sailors also reenlisted in Times Square and at the World Trade Center site.[4]

USS Mahan began a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at the BAE Systems Ship Repair shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia on 6 January 2010. The extensive upgrades and installations received during this time focused on improving the ship's Command and Control capability. Mahan left the shipyard on 10 March, and completed a light-off assessment on 25 March, ending the SRA. The remainder of 2010 was dedicated to completing Basic Phase training, which had commenced prior to starting the SRA in 2009, conducting Integrated Phase training, and final repairs and installations to ensure Mahan was materially ready for an extended deployment. Mahan participated in the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group's COMPTUEX in July, resulting in certification for maritime support operations. Mahan's executive officer was relieved on 17 September 2010 following an investigation and commodore's mast.[5]

Mahan left Naval Station Norfolk on 7 November 2010, for a maritime security operation deployment as part of United States Naval Forces Europe to the Horn of Africa.[6] The ship made port visits in Haifa, Israel, Djibouti, Djibouti, Souda Bay, Crete, and Istanbul, Turkey. The ship also stopped for fuel in Naval Station Rota in Spain. Mahan transited through the Suez Canal, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Dardanelles, and the Strait of Gibraltar. The ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk on 8 June 2011.[7]

During the 2011 maritime security operation deployment, USS Mahan was dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea to conduct operations in Libya. Insitu Inc. announced that its ScanEagle been assisting U.S. and NATO Forces in their mission to protect civilians and reduce the flow of arms to Libya. During a 72-hour counter-terrorism surge supporting Operation Unified Protector, the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle was operated organically aboard Mahan to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. In strong winds, ScanEagle performed cooperatively with a host of US and NATO participating forces. On this deployment ScanEagles (the second aboard Mahan) the team achieved a 100 percent mission readiness rate, accruing 1,154 flight hours and 167 sorties.[8]

In August 2011 USS Mahan made a port visit to Rockland, Maine, in support of the 64th annual Maine Lobster Festival. The crew participated in a parade, tours, a cooking contest, community service projects,[9] and a 10K race. Later that month, Mahan visited Newport, Rhode Island to be the Surface Warfare Officer's School (SWOS) Ship for the week of 15–19 August. Mahan was sortied along with 26 other ships in preparation for Hurricane Irene, returning 1 September 2011.[10] Mahan began a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia on 26 October 2011. During this availability, the ship received the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System upgrade. Commander Adam Aycock relieved Commander Kurt Mondlak as commanding officer on 4 November 2011.[11]

USS Mahan's SRA ended on 29 February 2012, which was immediately followed by a light-off assessment and sea trials. The ship went through four Continuous Maintenance Availabilities (CMAVs) in April, June, September, and November. Following a command investigation, 13 Mahan sailors were awarded non-judicial punishment for illegal drug use during a captain's mast on 4 April 2012.[12] On 10 April 2012, Mahan hosted a retired Chief Sonar Technician.[13] In June and July, Mahan hosted midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps as part of Cortramid. In October, Mahan was evaluated by the Board of Inspection and Survey as part of a regularly scheduled inspection. Not only was Mahan the first ship to successfully demonstrate Ballistic Missile Defense during the inspection, the ship also achieved the highest score for a destroyer in several years. Later in October, Mahan was the host ship for the United States Naval Academy Homecoming Weekend in Annapolis, Maryland. The ship completed Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) in December in preparation for her upcoming deployment.

USS Mahan left Naval Station Norfolk on 28 December 2012, for a maritime security operation deployment to the United States Sixth Fleet Area of Responsibility.[14] The ship made port visits in Augusta Bay, Sicily, Naples, Italy, Haifa, Israel, Limassol, Cyprus, Souda Bay, Crete, Rhodes, Greece, and Larnaca, Cyprus. The crew participated in community relations projects at every port.[15][16][17][18] The ship also stopped for fuel in Funchal, Madeira and Naval Station Rota in Spain. During Mahan's visit to Rhodes, Commander Zoah Scheneman relieved Commander Adam Aycock as commanding officer on 7 May 2013.[19] Mahan remained in theater after the Ghouta chemical attack in Syria.[20] Mahan returned on 13 September 2013, and had a pinning ceremony for ten (10) chief petty officer selects as soon as the ship was moored.[21][22]

USS Mahan held a memorial ceremony on 6 December 2013, in honor of the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Ormoc Bay in which USS Mahan (DD 364) lost six crewmembers.[23] On 10 January 2014, three USS Mahan (DDG 72) sailors traveled to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, to present a flag to a veteran of USS Mahan (DD 364) who was unable to make the December ceremony.[24]

USS Mahan visited New Orleans, Louisiana, during the 2014 Mardi Gras celebration.[25][26][27]

A shooting occurred on the ship just before midnight on 24 March 2014, while the ship was pier-side at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. Master-At-Arms Second Class Mark Mayo who was on duty as the Chief of the Guard, dove in front of the ship's Petty Officer of the Watch to shield her from the gunman. For his actions, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. A Navy sailor was killed and the civilian suspect was shot and killed by Naval Security Forces. The civilian armed himself by wrestling the weapon free from a Norfolk Naval Station Guard.[28]

Commanding officers

The Commanding Officer (CO) of USS Mahan (DDG-72) is the most senior officer that is in command of the ship. Sailors will refer to the CO as "the Captain" (regardless of rank), or sometimes informally as "Skipper". Below is the list of commanding officers of USS Mahan.

# Name Start End
13 CDR Marc E. Davis 19 February 2016 Present
12 CDR Joseph S. Matison 4 November 2014 19 February 2016
11 CDR Z. Scheneman 7 May 2013 4 November 2014
10 CDR Adam M. Aycock 4 November 2011 7 May 2013
9 CDR Kurt A. Mondlak 19 March 2010 4 November 2011
8 CDR Stephen F. Murphy 1 October 2008 19 March 2010
7 CDR Richard M. Miller Jr. 11 April 2007 1 October 2008
6 CDR Frank J. Olmo 19 October 2005 11 April 2007
5 CDR Charles W. Wydler 23 January 2004 19 October 2005
4 CDR Terry D. Mosher 18 March 2002 23 January 2004
3 CDR David C. Robertson Jr. 22 September 2000 18 March 2002
2 CDR James R. Yohe 22 March 1999 22 September 2000
1 CDR Michael L. James 14 February 1998 22 March 1999

Coat of Arms

Shield

The shield has background of dark blue with a blue trim. The center of the shield shows a gauntlet yielding a trident and a torch.

The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively. The trident at the center of the shield symbolizes the ship's warfare capabilities while underscoring the importance of a strong navy. The gauntlet and torch are adapted from USS Mahan (DD-364)'s emblem highlighting the ship’s namesake, Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, as the father of all modern navies. The tines of the trident represent the three previous ships named Mahan, and the Officer, Chief Petty Officer, and Enlisted Corps of personnel which man the ship.

Crest

The crest consists of a red compass enclosed in a gold annulet surrounded by a wreath.

The central star commemorates the second USS Mahan's World War II battle honors (five battle stars), earned before she was sunk by kamikazes. The twelve small stars on the annulet denote the battle stars of the third USS Mahan (DDG-42) for service in the Vietnam War. The unfurled scroll underscores Mahan as the author of The Influence of Sea Power Upon History. The compass rose and annulet represent Mahan's influence of sea power, its strategy and geopolitical importance worldwide. The wreath combines laurel and palm to symbolize honor and victory.

Motto

The motto is written on a scroll of blue that has a gold reverse side.

The ships motto is "Build to Fight". The motto was chosen as a remembrance of Admiral Arleigh Burke in memory of his contributions to the U.S. Navy. During USS Arleigh Burke's commissioning, Admiral Burke issued a challenge to his sailors of: “This ship is built to fight; you’d better know how.”

Seal

The coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, upon a white background enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS MAHAN" at the top and "DDG 72" in the base all gold.

Ship awards

Ribbon Description Notes
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon
Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E devices
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Silver star
 Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver service star

References

  1. ↑ Official USS Mahan (DDG-72) web site
  2. ↑ Rogers, Richard William (19 February 2000). "Families Bid Farewell: Battle Group Begins 6-month Deployment". Daily Press. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Ludwick, Paula M. (19 February 2007). "Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle 'E'". U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "U.S., Australia Strengthen Partnership During New York Visit". US Navy. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  5. ↑ McMichael, William H. (2010-09-17). "Navy sacks three leaders in one day". NavyTimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13. In the span of 24 hours, the Navy has fired a commanding officer, executive officer and a command master chief.
  6. ↑ "USS Mahan deploys". WAVY. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  7. ↑ "USS Mahan returns after 7 month deployment". WVEC. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  8. ↑ "ScanEagle in Action Over Libya". UAS vision. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  9. ↑ "USS Mahan lends a helping hand in Maine". Norfolk Navy Flagship. 2011-09-01. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  10. ↑ "All Sortie Ships Underway in Preparation for Hurricane Irene". NNS110825-24. Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs. 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2014-03-08. All U.S. Navy ships in Hampton Roads, Va., ordered to get underway August 25, have sortied in preparation for Hurricane Irene.
  11. ↑ McMichael, William H. (2011-12-12). "Destroyer CO neglected fitreps, evals, awards". NavyTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Cmdr. Kurt Mondlak had a busy 19 months in command of the destroyer Mahan. So much so, a command investigation found, that some things fell by the wayside — in particular, numerous officer fitness reports, enlisted evaluations and end-of-tour awards.
  12. ↑ "USS Mahan Awards 13 Sailors Non-Judicial Punishment". NNS120405-12. Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs. 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  13. ↑ Ensign Aaron Young, USN (2012-04-30). "Dreams Come True Aboard USS Mahan". NNS120430-14. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. The crew of USS Mahan (DDG 72) helped fulfill the wishes of a retired World War II Sailor, April 10, by hosting him aboard the deck of a destroyer just one more time.
  14. ↑ "USS Mahan deploys". WTKR. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
  15. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2013-01-22). "USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer at Naples-Area Orphanage". NNS130122-07. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community service project at a Naples-area orphanage during their port visit, Jan. 14.
  16. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2013-02-06). "USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer at Haifa". NNS130206-02. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community engagement project at a Haifa women's shelter during their port visit Jan. 28.
  17. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2013-02-21). "USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer at Limassol Rehabilitation Center". NNS130221-07. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community engagement project at a Limassol rehabilitation center during their port visit, Feb. 11.
  18. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2013-04-26). "USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer in Souda Bay". NNS130426-10. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Sailors stationed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community engagement project in a Souda Bay-area village during their port visit April 14.
  19. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2013-05-10). "USS Mahan Welcomes New Commanding Officer". NNS130510-02. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Cmdr. Zoah Scheneman relieved Cmdr. Adam Aycock as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) during a shipboard ceremony, while in port Rhodes, May 7.
  20. ↑ "U.S. and U.K. Move Ships Closer to Syria". USNI News. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  21. ↑ "USS Mahan returns to Norfolk". WTKR. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  22. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2013-09-14). "USS Mahan Returns Home". NNS130914-04. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. The guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Sep. 13th after an  8 1⁄2-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
  23. ↑ Chief Mass Communication Specialist Karen E. Cozza (2013-12-07). "USS Mahan Honors DD-364". NNS131207-01. SURFLANT Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-08. The crew of USS Mahan (DDG 72) held a memorial ceremony December 6th in honor of the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Ormoc Bay in which USS Mahan (DD-364) lost six crewmembers.
  24. ↑ Barrett, Steve (2014-01-10). "Local WWII veteran honored by U.S. Navy". Waynesburg Herald-Standard. Retrieved 2014-03-08. Edwin “Ed” Young, 88, of Waynesburg was just 18 years old and serving his country as a U.S. Navy seaman during WWII when his life changed forever.
  25. ↑ Purpura, Paul (2014-02-19). "For Mardi Gras 2014, Navy destroyer to visit New Orleans". Greater New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2014-03-08. For the first time in five years years, a U.S. Navy warship will visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras 2014.
  26. ↑ "Mardi Gras 2014's largest float (the USS Mahan) arrives in New Orleans". Greater New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  27. ↑ Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN (2014-03-12). "USS Mahan Visits New Orleans for Mardi Gras". NNS140312-12. USS Mahan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2014-03-12. The crew of the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) wrapped up a five-day port visit March 10 to New Orleans, the first ship in five years to make a visit there during Mardi Gras.
  28. ↑ Starr, Barbara; Hanna, Jason & Payne, Ed (25 March 2014). "2 die in shooting at Virginia naval station". CNN. Retrieved 13 October 2014.

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.

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