USS McCampbell

Last updated

US Navy 081007-N-9573A-016 The guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) is anchored at full dress ship during the International Fleet Review.jpg
USS McCampbell on 7 October 2008
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameMcCampbell
Namesake David McCampbell
Ordered13 December 1996
Builder Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Laid down15 July 1999
Launched2 July 2000
Commissioned17 August 2002
Homeport Yokosuka
Identification
MottoRelentless in Battle
Statusin active service
Badge USS McCampbell DDG-85 Crest.png
General characteristics
Class and type Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
Displacement9,200 tons
Length509 ft 6 in (155.30 m)
Beam66 ft (20 m)
Draft31 ft (9.4 m)
Propulsion4 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 100,000 shp (75 MW)
Speedexceeds 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement380 officers and enlisted
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

USS McCampbell (DDG-85) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named in honor of Naval Aviator Captain David S. McCampbell, a Medal of Honor and Navy Cross recipient who was the Navy's leading ace in World War II. This ship is the 35th destroyer of her class. USS McCampbell was the 20th ship of this class to be built by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine, and construction began on 16 July 1999. She was launched and christened on 2 July 2000. On 17 August 2002, the commissioning ceremony was held at Pier 30 in San Francisco, California.

Contents

Service history

She arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan as part of the Navy's Seventh Fleet in July 2007, and was then permanently forward deployed there.

On 23 June 2009, McCampbell replaced USS John S. McCain in shadowing the North Korean ship Kang Nam 1 toward Burma in enforcement of a new United Nations resolution, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874. [1]

In March 2011, McCampbell was the first US Navy vessel on station off northeastern Honshu, Japan to assist with relief efforts after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and deliver food, supplies, and other material aid directly to survivors. Later, after the arrival of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, the ship continued relief efforts as an element in Carrier Strike Group Seven, using the carrier as a supply distribution hub through early April. [2] [3]

On 13 June 2011, McCampbell intercepted the North Korean-flagged merchant vessel MV Light, en route to Myanmar, on 26 May, south of Shanghai. McCampbell requested permission to board the vessel, which was suspected of carrying missile technology, but was refused. After several days MV Light turned around and returned to North Korea, tracked by surveillance aircraft and satellites. [4]

McCampbell rescued five Philippine fishermen on or about 24 October 2012. During a routine night mission, the embarked helicopter crew of McCampbell discovered five men signaling for help aboard a mostly-sunk fishing vessel. The helicopter crew deployed flotation rafts while McCampbell dispatched two boats, along with a translator, to assist in the rescue. McCampbell was operating with George Washington and Carrier Strike Group Five at that time. [5]

McCampbell maintains on board an active VBSS team to conduct anti piracy, anti-smuggling, and anti-terrorist operations. The ship was an active participant in IMDEX, and the VBSS team was a centerpiece in the multilateral training effort held in conjunction with the exposition.[ citation needed ]

On 24 January 2019, McCampbell sailed through the Taiwan Strait on orders from the USS Pacific Fleet. McCampbell and replenishment oiler Walter S. Diehl "conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit" that was "in accordance with international law." [6]

In July 2020 the ship left Yokosuka for Portland, Oregon to begin a midlife update at Vigor Shipyards. While the update has a set cost of US$133.4 million, with contract options that could rise up to as much as US$155.6 million. [7]

On 5 February 2024, the U.S. Navy announced that USS McCampbell (DDG 85) will forward deploy to Yokosuka, Japan. McCampbell will replace USS Antietam (CG 54), which will depart Yokosuka, Japan, and move to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of a scheduled rotation of forces in the Pacific. [8]

On 2 March 2024, USS McCampbell returned to Yokosuka, Japan after a four year long modernization period in the United States rejoining her sister ships as part of Destroyer Squadron Fifteen. [9]

Coat of arms

USS McCampbell DDG-85 Crest.png

Shield

The shield has background of blue with a diagonal light blue band. Roman numerals for the number fifteen are located above the band while the Navy Cross is below.

The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively. The light blue band refers to the Pacific theater, where Captain McCampbell's served as commander of Air Group 15. In the band, there are thirty-four stars representing the number of enemy aircraft Captain McCampbell destroyed in air to air combat. This distinguished him as the leading naval ace in World War II. The Roman numeral “XV” signifies the “Fabled Fifteen” which embarked on USS Essex. The Navy Cross with a Silver Star center symbolize Captain McCampbell's bravery during combat in the Philippines.

Crest

The crest consists of a winged shield under a reversed star surrounded by tridents.

The reversed star refers to Captain McCampbell's Medal of Honor which was awarded for heroism in both the first and second battles of the Philippine Sea. The sea lion represents the Republic of the Philippines government seal. Two tridents, symbolizing sea prowess, surround the star and signifying the AEGIS system's firepower and strike capability. Representing the United States coat of arms is the winged shield to symbolize naval aviator wings which was Captain McCampbell's area of specialty.

Motto

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

The ships motto is "Relentless in Battle". The motto is a reference to both the honorable feats of Captain McCampbell and the Medal of Honor he received.

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 McCampbell" at the top and "DDG 85" in the base all gold.

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Mustin</i> (DDG-89) US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Mustin (DDG-89) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named in honor of the Mustin family who have devoted over a century to US Naval service. This ship is the 39th destroyer of her class. Mustin was the 18th ship of this class to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and construction began on 15 January 2001. She was launched on 12 December 2001 and was christened on 15 December 2001. On 26 July 2003, a twilight commissioning ceremony was held at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Seventh Fleet</span> Numbered fleet of the United States Navy

The Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It is headquartered at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with 50 to 70 ships, 150 aircraft and 27,000 Sailors and Marines. Its principal responsibilities are to provide joint command in natural disaster or military operations and operational command of all U.S. naval forces in the region.

USS <i>Decatur</i> (DDG-73)

USS Decatur (DDG-73) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for the former naval officer Stephen Decatur, Jr. This ship is the 22nd destroyer of her class. USS Decatur was the 13th ship of this class to be built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and construction began on 11 January 1996. She was launched on 10 November 1996 and was christened on 8 November 1996. On 29 August 1998 she was commissioned at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon.

USS <i>Antietam</i> (CG-54) Ticonderoga-class Guided-Missile Cruiser

USS Antietam (CG-54) is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy. Antietam was named for the site of the 1862 Battle of Antietam, Maryland, between Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee and Union forces under Major General George McClellan, during the American Civil War. Antietam earned the 2007 and 2008 Battle Efficiency awards, also known as the "Navy E" or "Battle E" award, for the John C. Stennis Strike Group.

USS <i>John S. McCain</i> (DDG-56) US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer currently in the service of the United States Navy. She is part of the Destroyer Squadron 23 within the Third Fleet, and has her homeport at Naval Station Everett in Everett, Washington.

USS <i>Curtis Wilbur</i> Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) is the fourth Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. Curtis Wilbur was named for Curtis D. Wilbur, forty-third Secretary of the Navy, who served under President Calvin Coolidge. In 2016, she was based at Yokosuka, Japan, as part of Destroyer Squadron 15.

USS <i>Mitscher</i> (DDG-57)

The USS Mitscher (DDG-57) is an Arleigh Burke class in service with the United States Navy. It was constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding, in Pascagoula, Mississippi on an order in December 1988. Laid down in 1992 it was formally commissioned on 10 December 1994.

USS <i>Milius</i> US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Milius (DDG-69) is an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy. It is the first United States Navy Ship named after a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War. She is named after Captain Paul L. Milius, a Naval Aviator presumed killed following the crash of his aircraft over Laos in February 1968. Captain Milius's daughter, Annette, became the sponsor and later christened the ship named in honor of her father.

USS <i>McFaul</i> Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer

USS McFaul (DDG-74) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for U.S. Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Donald L. McFaul. This ship is the 24th destroyer of her class. USS McFaul was the 11th ship of this class to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and construction began on 26 January 1996. She was launched on 18 January 1997 and was christened on 12 April 1997. On 25 April 1998 she had her commissioning ceremony at the Garden City Terminal in Savannah, Georgia. As of July 2020 the ship is part of Destroyer Squadron 26 based out of Naval Station Norfolk.

USS <i>Higgins</i> Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Higgins (DDG-76) is a United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Higgins is the 26th ship of her class, and the 15th of the class to be built by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine. Construction began on 14 November 1996 and she was launched and christened on 4 October 1997. She was commissioned at a ceremony in Port Everglades, Florida on 24 April 1999. She is part of Destroyer Squadron 15 within the Seventh Fleet, and is homeported at United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan.

USS <i>OKane</i>

USS O'Kane (DDG-77) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The ship was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, starting on 8 May 1997. The ship was commissioned on 23 October 1999. She is named for Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Richard O'Kane.

USS <i>Porter</i> (DDG-78) Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Porter (DDG-78) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. Porter is the fifth US Navy ship to be named after US Navy officers Commodore David Porter, and his son, Admiral David Dixon Porter. This ship is the 28th destroyer of her class. Porter was the 12th ship of this class to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was laid down on 2 December 1996, launched and christened on 12 November 1997, and commissioned 20 March 1999, in Port Canaveral, Florida.

USS <i>Roosevelt</i> (DDG-80) Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in service with the United States Navy. She is named in honor of both President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife, the then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. This ship is the 30th destroyer of her class. USS Roosevelt was the 13th ship of this class to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and construction began on 15 December 1997. She was launched on 10 January 1999 and was christened on 23 January 1999. On 14 October 2000 the commissioning ceremony was held at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

USS <i>Lassen</i> (DDG-82) Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Lassen (DDG-82) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Medal of Honor recipient Commander Clyde Everett Lassen. This ship is the 32nd destroyer of her class. Lassen was the 14th ship of this class to be built by Ingalls Shipbuilding at Pascagoula, Mississippi, and construction began on 24 August 1998. She was launched and christened on 16 October 1999. On 21 April 2001, she was commissioned at the Florida Aquarium Pier in Tampa, Florida.

USS <i>Shoup</i> United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Shoup (DDG-86) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The ship is named for Medal of Honor recipient General David M. Shoup, the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps.

USS <i>Gary</i> (FFG-51) Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate

USS Gary (FFG-51) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in the United States Navy. She was named for Medal of Honor recipient Commander Donald A. Gary (1903–1977).

USS <i>Fife</i> Spruance-class destroyer

USS Fife (DD-991), a Spruance-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral James Fife, Jr. (1897–1975), a distinguished Submarine Force commander during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka</span> United States Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan

United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka or Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka is a United States Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan. Its mission is to maintain and operate base facilities for the logistic, recreational, administrative support and service of the U.S. Naval Forces Japan, Seventh Fleet and other operating forces assigned in the Western Pacific. CFAY is the largest strategically important U.S. naval installation in the western Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exercise Valiant Shield</span> Series of United States military war games in the Pacific Ocean since 2006

Exercise Valiant Shield is one of the largest United States military war games held in the Pacific Ocean. Nine Valiant Shield exercises were conducted between 2006 and 2022. According to the Navy, Valiant Shield focuses on cooperation between military branches and on the detection, tracking, and engagement of units at sea, in the air, and on land in response to a wide range of missions.

USS <i>Fitzgerald</i> Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the US Navy

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), named for United States Navy officer Lieutenant William Charles Fitzgerald, is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the US Navy.

References

  1. "Official: U.S.S. McCain Stops Monitoring N. Korean Ship, U.S.S. McCampbell Takes Over". Fox News . 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  2. Rabiroff, John (17 March 2011). "U.S. military delivers 40 tons of supplies to hardest-hit areas". Stars and Stripes . Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  3. "Warships Supporting Earthquake in Japan". Seawaves. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011.
  4. "US Navy 'stopped North Korean vessel bound for Burma'". BBC News . 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  5. "U.S. Navy rescues five Filipino fishermen from sinking boat". CBS News . Associated Press. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  6. "US Navy sails warships through Taiwan Strait".
  7. "Vigor awarded $133.4 million DDG 85 midlife modernization contract". Marine Log. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  8. "USS McCampbell to Forward Deploy to Japan, Replace USS Antietam". Seapower. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  9. "USS McCampbell Returns to Yokosuka to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15". DVIDS. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.