USS O'Kane

USS O’Kane (DDG-77)
Career (US)
Name: USS O'Kane
Namesake: Richard O'Kane
Ordered: 20 July 1994
Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Laid down: 8 May 1997
Launched: 28 March 1998
Acquired: 19 May 1999
Commissioned: 23 October 1999
Homeport: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Status: in active service, as of 2015
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type:Arleigh Burke class destroyer
Displacement:Light: approx. 6,800 long tons (6,900 t)
Full: approx. 8,900 long tons (9,000 t)
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:4,400 nautical miles at 20 knots
(8,100 km at 37 km/h)
Complement:33 Officers
38 Chief Petty Officers
210 Enlisted Personnel
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
and decoys:
Armament:1 × 29 cell, 1 × 61 cell Mk 41 vertical launching systems with 90 × RIM-156 SM-2, BGM-109 Tomahawk or RUM-139 VL-ASROC missiles

2 x Mk 141 Harpoon Missile Launcher SSM
1 × Mark 45 5/54 in (127/54 mm)
2 × 25 mm chain gun
4 × .50 caliber (12.7 mm) guns
2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS

2 × Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes
Aircraft carried:1 Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopter can be embarked
Motto:A Tradition of Honor

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. It is named for Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Richard O'Kane.

History

USS O'Kane was built in Bath, Maine at Bath Iron Works. USS O'Kane was launched in March 1998. USS O'Kane was commissioned on 23 October 1999 under the command of CDR David Hulse in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. USS O'Kane participated in RIMPAC 2000. USS O'Kane participated in Fleet Week San Diego in October 2000. In November 2000 CDR Taylor Skardon assumed command. USS O'Kane deployed on her maiden deployment on 1 August 2001. While on deployment USS O'Kane conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Northern Persian Gulf during the opening stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. USS O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor in late January 2002. USS O'Kane received the Battle "E" award for Destroyer Squadron 31 for 2001. USS O'Kane also received the Navy Unit Commendation, her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Award, her first Sea Service Award, and National Defense Service Awards while on her Maiden Deployment.

In September 2002 CDR Michael Viland assumed command. Under his leadership USS O'Kane completed an accelerated innovative training cycle eight months ahead of schedule with the CARL VINSON Battle Group to be ready for contingency operations. USS O'Kane was further accelerated and deployed independently, leaving homeport 17 January 2003. Initially USS O'Kane provided escort of high value shipping and conducted Operation ENDURING FREEDOM boardings of suspect terrorist vessels, then she rapidly transitioned to combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. USS O'Kane successfully projected combat power ashore with several salvos of TOMAHAWK cruise missiles and provided early warning of ballistic missile launches to command centers, PATRIOT missile batteries, and civil defense forces, supporting a protective umbrella for coalition ground and naval forces. USS O'Kane then transitioned to providing post hostility maritime security of Iraqi waters. USS O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor late July 2003. USS O'Kane was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal for her second deployment. Following post deployment maintenance, USS O'Kane commenced the basic phase of training for her next deployment.

In February 2004 CDR William Nault assumed command.

As of May 2013, her current commanding officer is CDR James J. Juster.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Biographical page, http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg77/Pages/Bio1.aspx

External links

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