with permission; Copyright © 2016 U.S. Naval Institute … Force...Full at San Juan, PR. Homeported at San Juan. 20 Oct Joseph Napier (WPC-1115) Delivered and placed in Commission,

100 • May 2016 www.usni.org

U.S. BATTLE FORCE CHANGES 1 JANUARY–31 DECEMBER 2015

Compiled by Lieutenant Jim Dolbow, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve

COMMISSIONING/CONSTRUCTION/NAMING OF U.S. NAVY AND COAST GUARD SHIPS

Date Name (Hull No.) Comments

9 Jan Hyman Rickover (SSN-795)

Name announced.

10 Jan Trenton (T-EPF-5) Christened.

15 Jan Isaac Mayo (WPC-1112)

Delivered and placed in Commission, Special.

24 Jan William Trump (WPC-1111)

Placed in Commission, Full at Key West, FL. Homeported at Key West, FL.

7 Feb Lewis B. Fuller (T-ESB-3)

Christened.

9 Feb Wichita (LCS-13) Keel laid at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, WI.

18 Feb Omaha (LCS-12) Keel laid at Austal USA, Mobile, AL.

20 Feb Joseph Gerczak (WPC-1126), Richard T. Snyder (WPC-1127), Nathan Bruckenthal (WPC-1128), Forrest O. Rednour (WPC-1129), Robert G. Ward (WPC-1130), Terrell Horne III (WPC-1131), Benjamin A. Bottoms (WPC-1132), Joseph O. Doyle (WPC-1133), William C. Hart (WPC-1134), and Oliver F. Berry (WPC-1135).

Names announced.

25 Feb Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10)

Launched at Austal USA, Mobile, AL.

7 Mar Colorado (SSN-788) Keel laid at General Dynamics Electric Boat.

13 Mar Delbert D. Black (DDG-119)

Name announced.

21 Mar John P. Murtha (LPD-26)

Christened.

28 Mar John Finn (DDG-113) Launched at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding.

28 Mar Isaac Mayo (WPC-1112)

Placed in Commission, Full at Key West, FL. Homeported at Key West.

31 Mar Midgett (WMSL-757) Contract awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries.

14 Apr Richard Dixon (WPC-1113)


17 Apr St. Louis (LCS-19) Name announced.

2 May John Finn (DDG-113) Christened.

9 May Brunswick (T-EPF-6) Christened.

16 May Indiana (SSN-789) Keel laid at Newport News Shipbuilding.

19 May Brunswick (T-EPF-6) Launched.

24 May New Jersey (SSN-796) Name announced.

5 Jun James (WMSL-754) Delivered and placed in Commission, Special.

13 Jun Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10)

Christened.

20 Jun Richard Dixon (WPC-1113)

Placed in Commission, Full at Tampa, FL. Homeported at San Juan, PR.

25 Jun John Warner (SSN-785)


18 Jul Little Rock (LCS-9) Christened.

19 Jul Cincinnati (LCS-20) Name announced.

20 Jul Kansas City (LCS-22) Name announced.

21 Jul Delbert D. Black (DDG-119)

Start of fabrication at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding.

25 Jul Cooperstown (LCS-23)

Name announced.

30 Jul Heriberto Hernandez (WPC-1114)


1 Aug John Warner (SSN-785)

Placed in Commission, Full at Norfolk, VA. Homeported at Norfolk, VA.

8 Aug James (WMSL-754) Placed in Commission, Full at Boston, MA. Homeported at Charleston, SC.

11 Aug Jackson (LCS-6) Delivered and placed in Commission, Special.

19 Aug Oakland (LCS-24) Name announced.

22 Aug John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)

Keel laid at Newport News Shipbuilding.

22 Aug Idaho (SSN-799) Name announced.

2 Sep Iowa (SSN-797) Name announced.

2 Sep Montana (SSN-794) Name announced.

3 Sep Minneapolis/St. Paul (LCS-21)

Name announced.

12 Sep Munro (WMSL-755) Launched at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding.

15 Sep Tulsa (LCS-16) Name announced.

Reprinted from Proceedings with permission; Copyright © 2016 U.S. Naval Institute / www.usni.org

www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 101

16 Sep City of Bismarck (T-EPF-9)

Name announced.

16 Sep Wichita (LCS-13) Name announced.

23 Sep R/V Neil Armstrong (T-AGOR-27)

Delivered to the U.S. Navy and placed in service.

10 Oct Illinois (SSN-786) Christened.

14 Oct Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4)

Construction started at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA.

16 Oct Milwaukee (LCS-5) Delivered and placed in Commission, Special.

16 Oct Heriberto Hernandez (WPC-1114)

Placed in Commission, Full at San Juan, PR. Homeported at San Juan.

20 Oct Joseph Napier (WPC-1115)


20 Oct Paul Ignatius (DDG-117)

Keel authenticated at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding.

31 Oct Rafael Peralta (DDG-115)

Christened.

2 Nov Billings (LCS-15) Keel laid at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, WI.

8 Nov Massachusetts (SSN-798)

Name announced.

14 Nov Munro (WMSL-755) Christened.

16 Nov Thomas Hudner (DDG-116)

Keel laid at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.

20 Nov Omaha (LCS-12) Launched at Austal USA in Mobile, AL.

21 Nov Milwaukee (LCS-5) Placed in Commission, Full at Milwaukee, WI. Homeported at San Diego, CA.

5 Dec Jackson (LCS-6) Placed in Commission, Full at Gulfport, MS. Homeported at San Diego, CA.

12 Dec Ralph Johnson (DDG-114)

Launched at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding.

19 Dec Omaha (LCS-12) Christened.

23 Dec Winslow Griesser (WPC-1116)


Notes: In Commission, Special – Official date of commissioning and when the ship enters the force-level structure. This is also the date the ship is delivered by the builder to the Navy and the ship’s birthday. This status was created to legally ferry the ship in question from her builder’s yard to the site where the official commissioning ceremony is to be performed if it is at a location other than where the ship was built.

In Commission, Full – The date on which the commissioning ceremony was performed and the ship was fully received into the Fleet.

In the case of the Coast Guard, ships are placed in full commission after they reach their homeports. This event depends on the District Headquarters, the commanding officer of the ship, and the weather.

SHIPS DELIVERED TO THE MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND (MSC) AND PLACED IN SERVICE


13 Apr Trenton (T-EPF-5) Delivered and placed in service.

12 Jun Lewis B. Fuller (T-ESB-3)

Delivered and placed in service.

U.S. NAVAL SHIP DEPLOYMENTS/RETURNS


7 Jan Leyte Gulf (CG-55) Returned from a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility, where the ship assumed duties as Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 flagship.

10 Jan James E. Williams (DDG-95)

Returned from an eight-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

10 Jan Mahan (DDG-72) Returned from a five-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

10 Jan Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)

Departed on a three-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Accompanied by Ashland (LSD-48) and Green Bay (LPD-20).

11 Jan Mahan (DDG-72) Returned from a five-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

11 Jan Kauffman (FFG-59) Departed on the ship’s final deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

16 Jan Cape St. George (CG-71)

Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.



16 Jan Boise (SSN-764) Returned from a deployment to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

16 Jan Sherman (WHEC-720) Departed San Diego, CA, for her new home port in Honolulu, HI, to replace the decommissioned Rush (WHEC-723).

24 Jan California (SSN-781) Returned from her maiden deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

26 Jan Green Bay (LPD-20) Departed San Diego, CA, for Sasebo, Japan, to join the 7th Fleet’s Forward-Deployed Naval Forces.

30 Jan Independence (LCS-2) Departed San Diego, CA, for Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL, to conduct operational evaluation and testing of the mine-countermeasures mission package.

3 Feb La Jolla (SSN-701) Arrived at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to begin conversion to a Moored Training Ship (MTS).

8 Feb Alex Haley (WMEC-39)

Returned from a 70-day deployment to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

9 Feb San Francisco (SSN-711)

Returned from a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.

13 Feb Laboon (DDG-58) Deployed to conduct ballistic-missile defense operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

14 Feb Paul Hamilton (DDG-60)

Departed for an independent deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific Ocean.

19 Feb Green Bay (LPD-20) Arrived in Sasebo, Japan, after transiting the Pacific Ocean from her former home port of San Diego, CA.

In 2015, the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) completed a three-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Here, a U.S. Marine MV-22B Osprey with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit takes off on 10 March 2016 during a combined amphibious exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army, and Royal New Zealan Army Forces.

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20 Feb Kanawha (T-AO-196) Returned from a three-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

25 Feb Makin Island (LHD-8) Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. Accompanied by Comstock (LSD-45) and San Diego (LPD-22).

25 Feb Olympia (SSN-717) Returned from a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

8 Mar Alert (WMEC-630) Returned from a 61-day counternarcotics mission in Central America.

10 Mar Hawaii (SSN-776) Returned from a deployment to the Western Pacific.

10 Mar Polar Star (WAGB-10) Returned from a 101-day Antarctic deployment in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2015, a multi-agency operation managed by the National Science Foundation.

11 Mar Waesche (WMSL-751) Returned from a 79-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

11 Mar Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

Departed her home port in Norfolk for an around-the-world deployment to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) consisted of TR, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 staff, Normandy (CG-60), Farragut (DDG-99), Forrest Sherman (DDG-98), and Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81).

TR’s deployment ended with her completing a homeport shift to San Diego, CA. TR’s change in home port is part of a three-carrier shift involving Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and George Washington (CVN-74).

13 Mar Cole (DDG-67) Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

24 Mar Preble (DDG-88) Departed on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.

27 Mar Porter (DDG-78) Departed Norfolk Naval Station for the last time before being forward-deployed to Rota, Spain.

27 Mar Anzio (CG-68) Departed to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior (JW) 15-1 off the coast of Scotland. Joint Warrior is a semiannual training exercise conducted in the coastal waters off the United Kingdom.

1 April Comfort (T-AH-20) Departed on a six-month deployment in support of Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15).

10 Apr Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)

Returned from a three-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Accompanied by Green Bay (LPD-20) and Ashland (LSD-48).

12 Apr Active (WMEC-618) Returned from an 88-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S).

15 Apr Fort Worth (LCS-3) Returned to Singapore after a two-month stint operating in Northeast and Southeast Asia.

16 Apr Boutwell (WHEC-719) Returned from deployment carrying a record 28,000 pounds of cocaine worth in excess of $424 million, seized during 19 interdictions by U.S. and Canadian forces near Central and South America.

17 Apr Gary (FFG-51) Returned from her final deployment to the 3rd and 4th Fleet areas of responsibility.



20 Apr Grasp (T-ARS-51) Deployed to conduct dive and salvage operations and train with partner nations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

21 Apr Midgett (WHEC-726) Deployed to take part in Operation Martillo, a combined military and international campaign aimed at countering drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.

22 Apr McFaul (DDG-74) Departed on an independent deployment to the 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

4 May Mitscher (DDG-57) Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and French Operation Arromanches while conducting plane guard duty with the French Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) and French Navy Horizon-class frigate Chevalier Paul (D621).

8 May Legare (WMEC-912) Returned from a 36-day patrol in the Atlantic Ocean.

11 May Essex (LHD-2) Departed on a deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. Essex ARG consisted of Rushmore (LSD-47), Anchorage (LPD- 23), and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

12 May Pittsburgh (SSN-720) Returned from a six-month deployment to 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

15 May Helena (SSN-725) Returned from a deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

17 May Spearhead (T-EPF-1) Returned from a nearly five-month deployment to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas to support the Africa Partnership Station.

17 May Mercy (T-AH-19) Deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2015.

18 May Chafee (DDG-90) Departed on an independent deployment to the 7th and 4th Fleet areas of responsibility. Participated in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative.

18 May George Washington (CVN-73)

Departed Japan for her last Pacific patrol as the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

21 May Michael Murphy (DDG-112)

Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

28 May Chancellorsville (CG-62)

Departed Naval Base San Diego bound for Yokosuka, Japan, to join the forward-deployed naval forces in the Western Pacific.

29 May Topeka (SSN-754) Arrived at her new home port of U.S. Naval Base Guam after completing an engineering overhaul at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

1 Jun Sampson (DDG-102) Returned from a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

4 Jun Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Returned from a ten-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. Embarked CVW-17 and accompanied by Bunker Hill (CG-52), Gridley (DDG-101), Sterett (DDG-104), and Dewey (DDG-105). Over the course of the deployment, supporting strike operations in Iraq and Syria, CVW-17 successfully flew 12,300 sorties, including 2,382 combat missions, and dropped more than half a million pounds of ordnance against ISIS.

14 Jun Simpson (FFG-56) Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.



15 Jun Spearhead (T-EPF-1) Deployed to Central and South America and the Caribbean in support of Southern Partnership Station–JHSV 2015 (SPS-JHSV 15).

15 Jun Big Horn (T-AO-198) Deployed to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

25 Jun Milius (DDG-69) Returned after an eight-month independent deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

2 Jul Midgett (WHEC-726) Returned from a 71-day counter-drug deployment in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America, where she interdicted seven drug-laden “panga” vessels in international waters, seized more than 12,100 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $180 million wholesale, and apprehended 22 suspected drug smugglers.

3 Jul Pasadena (SSN-752) Returned from a six-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

6 Jul Higgins (DDG-76) Departed on an independent deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

10 Jul Oscar Austin (DDG-79)

Returned from an eight-month independent deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

11 Jul Vicksburg (CG-69) Returned from seven-month deployment as flagship for the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean, North, Black, and Baltic seas.

12 Jul Kauffman (FFG-59) Returned from a six-month deployment in support of Operation Martillo, a multinational, anti-narcotics mission intended to prevent criminal organizations from using the waterways of the Caribbean Sea and Pacific coast of Central America to smuggle narcotics, illegal firearms, and money into the United States.

19 Jul New York (LPD-21) Returned from an eight-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

20 Jul Iwo Jima (LHD-7) Returned from an eight-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. The Iwo Jima ARG comprises embarked Marines from the 24th MEU, the Iwo Jima (LHD-7), Fort McHenry (LSD-43), and New York (LPD-21).

20 Jul North Dakota (SSN-784)

Returned from a deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

22 Jul Donald Cook (DDG-75)

Departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, to begin her third forward-deployed patrol in support of ballistic-missile defense of Europe and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to collective defense of allies and partners under Operation Atlantic Resolve.

24 Jul Laboon (DDG-58) Returned from a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

29 Jul Laramie (T-AO-203) Returned from a six-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

1 Aug Michigan (SSGN-727) Returned from 20 months forward-deployed to Guam.



9 Aug Healy (WAGB-20) Departed on a two-month deployment to the North Pole to become the first U.S. surface vessel to make the trip unaccompanied.

10 Aug George Washington (CVN-73)

Arrived in San Diego to conduct a ten-day hull swap with Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) as part of a force structure change. Ronald Reagan (RR) will relieve George Washington (GW) as the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan, and GW will return to Newport News, VA, for a midlife refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) following a deployment around South America.

12 Aug Stratton (WMSL-752) Returned after 114-day Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) counter-drug patrol. Interdicted two drug-smuggling submarines. Conducted one of the largest known cocaine offloads in Coast Guard history, estimated to be worth more than $1.01 billion in 23 separate interdictions.

21 Aug Seawolf (SSN-21) Returned from a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility, including two polar transits and a routine surfacing at the North Pole.

21 Aug Albuquerque (SSN-706)

Returned from a six-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, the final deployment in her 32-year career.

22 Aug Columbus (SSN-762) Returned from a three-month deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

28 Aug Jason Dunham (DDG-109)

Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 4th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

24 Aug Alert (WMEC-630) Returned from a three-month counternarcotic and living marine-resources patrol that stretched from Mexico to Canada.

28 Aug Sequoia (WLB-215) Returned from a 25-day deployment in the Western Pacific in support of fisheries management and humanitarian efforts.

31 Aug Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

Departed San Diego for Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, to replace George Washington (CVN-73) as the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

4 Sep New Mexico (SSN-779)

Returned from a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

On 10 August 2015 the USS George Washington (CVN-73) arrived in San Diego for a ten-day turnover with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Join-ing them here during the historic swap is the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

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5 Sep Seneca (WMEC-906) Returned after a 70-day deployment to the Florida Straits and the Eastern Pacific.

6 Sep Carney (DDG-64) Departed home port of Mayport, FL, on her way to Rota, Spain, as the final of four guided-missile destroyers to be forward- deployed to Spain.

9 Sep Russell (DDG-59) Departed on an independent deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

14 Sep Boutwell (WHEC-719) Returned after a two-and-a-half-month deployment to the Bering Sea.

21 Sep The Sullivans (DDG-68)

Departed to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 15-2 off the coast of Scotland. Exercise Joint Warrior (JW).

25 Sep Carney (DDG-64) Arrived at her new homeport of Rota, Spain, as the fourth forward-deployed destroyer there and a key component of the U.S.-European Phased Adaptive Approach.

27 Sep Mercy (T-AH-19) Returned from a four-month deployment in support of Pacific Partnership 2015. More than 20,000 people received medical and dental care, and more than 20,500 hours went toward disaster preparedness.

29 Sep Paul Hamilton (DDG-60)

Returned from an independent seven-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

30 Sep Comfort (T-AH-20) Returned from a six-month deployment in support of Operation Continuing Promise 2015. Treated more than 120,000 patients and performed more than 1,200 surgeries in 12 countries.

2 Oct Benfold (DDG-65) Departed San Diego, CA, for Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will join the 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces.

6 Oct Kearsarge (LHD-3) Departed for deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. Accompanied by Arlington (LPD-24) and Oak Hill (LSD-51).

9 Oct Providence (SSN-719) Returned from a deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

10 Oct Big Horn (T-AO-198) Returned from a four-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

11 Oct Hampton (SSN-767) Returned from a more than sixth-month deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.



12 Oct Spearhead (EPF-1) Returned from a four-month deployment in support of Southern Partnership Station-Joint High-Speed Vessel 2015 (SPS-JHSV 15) in the 4th Fleet area of responsibility. SPS-JHSV 15 is a U.S. Navy deployment focused on subject-matter expert exchanges with partner-nation militaries and security forces.

16 Oct Jacksonville (SSN-699)

Returned from a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

19 Oct Apache (T-ATF-172) Deployed to a search area northeast of Crooked Island in the Bahamas island chain, which was the last known location of the missing U.S. flagged merchant vessel El Faro.

19 Oct Benfold (DDG-65) Arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, to join the 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces.

23 Oct Preble (DDG-88) Returned from a seven-month independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.

28 Oct Houston (SSN-713) Returned from her final deployment to the Western Pacific.

28 Oct Santa Fe (SSN-763) Returned from a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

29 Oct Healy (WAGB-20) Returned from a two-month deployment to the North Pole in support of GEOTRACES, an international effort to study the world’s oceans.

4 Nov Germantown (LSD-42)

Returned to her forward-deployed home port of Sasebo, Japan, after completing a four-month patrol.

7 Nov Farragut (DDG-99) Returned from an eight-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG).

16 Nov Harry S Truman (CVN-75)

Departed on deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. HSTCSG consisted of Harry S Truman, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Anzio (CG-68), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, Bulkeley (DDG-84), Gonzalez (DDG-66), and Gravely (DDG-107).

16 Nov Ramage (DDG-61) Departed on an eight-month independent ballistic-missile defense deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

19 Nov Valiant (WMEC-621) Returned after a 63-day patrol to the Eastern Pacific.

23 Nov Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

Returned from an eight-and-a-half-month deployment to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. TR’s arrival in San Diego, CA, was part of the three-carrier shift involving Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and George Washington (CVN-73). CVW01 successfully executed 1,812 combat sorties encompassing 10,618 combat flight hours over Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).

24 Nov Bertholf (WMSL-750) Returned from a 104-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Joint Interagency Task Force Support (JIATF-S).

2 Dec Bainbridge (DDG-96) Returned from a seven-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

12 Dec Normandy (CG-60) Returned from a nine-and-a-half-month deployment and was the final TRCSG ship to return to her home port. She was the only ship in the strike group to circumnavigate the world, transiting the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.



14 Dec McFaul (DDG-74) Returned from an eight-month independent deployment to the 4th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

16 Dec Boutwell (WHEC-719) Returned from a 41-day deployment to the Bering Sea. Final deployment in her 47-year career.

17 Dec George Washington (CVN-73)

Completed a 52,064-mile, seven-month voyage to Naval Station Norfolk, VA, after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.

17 Dec Chafee (DDG-90) Returned from a six-month independent deployment to the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

18 Dec Hartford (SSN-768) Returned from a deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

23 Dec Patuxent (T-AO-201) Returned after a six-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

30 Dec Spearhead (T-EPF-1) Deployed in support of Africa Partnership Station.

FORWARD-DEPLOYED NAVAL FORCES (FDNF) TO JAPAN

In addition to U.S.-based carrier and expeditionary strike groups that conduct rotational deployments in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility in the region, 24 ships forward-deployed to U.S. facilities in Japan and Guam in 2015. They form the heart of the 7th Fleet and provide a permanent, highly capable presence while reducing transit times and support costs by operating from overseas bases.

The following ships were forward-deployed to Japan, Guam, and Spain on 31 Dec 2015 (and should be considered “deployed” 365 days a year).

FORWARD-DEPLOYED TO YOKOSUKA

Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

Blue Ridge (LCC-19)

Antietam (CG-54)

Chancellorsville (CG-62)

In November 2015 USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) returned from a 104-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean as part of Joint Interagency Task Force Support. In August 2015, a Bertholf boarding team approached a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel smuggling 7.5 tons of cocaine, worth an estimated $227 million.

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Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54)

Fitzgerald (DDG-62)

Lassen (DDG-82)

John S. McCain (DDG-56)

McCampbell (DDG-85)

Mustin (DDG-89)

Shiloh (CG-67)

Stethem (DDG-63)

FORWARD-DEPLOYED TO SASEBO

Ashland (LSD-48)

Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)

Germantown (LSD-42)

Chief (MCM-14)

Patriot (MCM-7)

Warrior (MCM-10)

Pioneer (MCM-9)

Green Bay (LPD-20)

HOMEPORTED IN GUAM

Frank Cable (AS-40)

Chicago (SSN-721)

Key West (SSN-722)

Oklahoma City (SSN-723)

Topeka (SSN-754)

FORWARD-DEPLOYED TO ROTA, SPAIN

Ross (DDG-71)

Donald Cook (DDG-75)

Porter (DDG-78)

Carney (DDG-64)

FORWARD-DEPLOYED PATROL COASTAL (PC) SHIPS TO U.S. NAVAL FORCES CENTRAL COMMAND (NAVCENT), MANAMA, BAHRAIN

Ten PCs are permanently stationed in Bahrain. Five of them have provided dedicated coastal patrol capability to the Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F), area of operation since 2006.

PCs provide the U.S. Navy with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to emergent requirements in a shallow-water environment. The primary mission of these ships is coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance—an important aspect of littoral operations outlined in the Navy’s maritime strategy.

Tempest (PC-2)

Hurricane (PC-3)

Monsoon (PC-4)

Typhoon (PC-5)

Sirocco (PC-6)

Squall (PC-7)

Chinook (PC-9)

Firebolt (PC-10)

Whirlwind (PC-11)

Thunderbolt (PC-12)

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMAND/REALIGNMENTS

Date Command Name Comments

9 Jan Commander, Task Force (CTF) 75

Established in a ceremony at Camp Covington at Naval Base Guam to formalize CTF-75’s command and control of assigned Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as combat operations.

24 Feb U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System–Poland

Established this date per the U.S.-Poland Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement signed in August 2008. The site at Redzikowo, Poland, will be part of and support the European-phased adaptive approach for the missile defense of Europe.

24 Jun Office of Naval Research Global, São Paulo, Brazil

Established on this date because of the significant growth in the science and technology and research-and-development areas in Brazil that has led to increased collaboration between ONRG and Brazilian universities.

24 Jun Office of Naval Research Global Headquarters

Relocated from Singapore to London, UK, on this date.

30 Jun Navy Air and Missile Defense Command

Disestablished this date at Dahlgren, VA.

30 Jun Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center

Name modified as Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center.

30 Jun Naval Surface and Mine Warfare Development Center, Undersea Warfighting Development Center, and Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center.

Established to enhance fleet warfighting capabilities and readiness across the theater, operational, and tactical levels of war.



31 Jul Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14

Disestablished.

31 Jul Commander, Surface Squadron 14

Established this date and absorbed all missions, functions, and tasks previously associated with DESRON 14.

30 Sep Navy Information Operations Command Menwith Hill, UK

Disestablished this date per NSA directive that ordered removal of all manpower resources.

30 Sep Navy Information Operations Detachment (NAVIODET), Digby, UK

Realigned under NAVIOCOM MD.

1 Oct Zumwalt Squadron 1 Established this date to support the next generation of surface combatants, all of which are scheduled to be homeported in San Diego, CA.

1 Oct Commander, Navy Munitions Command

Disestablished this date in Yorktown, VA, because of redundancies.

1 Oct Commander, Task Force 64

Established on this date to provide a standalone task force to address the growth and emphasis on ballistic-missile defense (BMD) and integrated air and missile defense missions in the United States European Command area of responsibility.

SHIPS/CRAFT RECLASSIFIED

Date Comments

15 Jan Ships of the modified Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class to be designated as frigates (FF).

3 Sep The Joint High-Speed Vessel (JHSV) is now the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF). Mobile Landing Platforms (MLPs) are now Expeditionary Transfer Docks (ESDs). The Afloat Staging Base variant of the ESD is now the Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB).

In December 2015, the USS Hartford (SSN-768) returned from deployment in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. In March 2016, she was taking part in ICEX 2016, a five-week exercise at Ice Camp Sargo near the Arctic Circle to evaluate the region’s operational capabilities.

US

NA

VY

(T

YLE

R T

HO

MP

SO

N)



DECOMMISSIONINGS


14 Jan McClusky (FFG-41) Decommissioning ceremony held 9 Jan at Naval Station San Diego. Officially decommissioned and stricken. Retained as FMS candidate.

30 Jan Elrod (FFG-55) Decommissioned and stricken at Naval Station Norfolk. Retained as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) candidate.

20 Mar Key Biscayne (WPB-1339)

Decommissioned at Coast Guard Sector Key West, FL.

20 Mar Knight Island (WPB-1348)

Decommissioned.

30 Mar Kodiak Island (WPB-1341)

Decommissioned.

31 Mar Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60)

Decommissioning ceremony held 23 Jan at Naval Station Everett. Officially decommissioned and stricken on this date. Retained as FMS candidate.

31 Mar Vandegrift (FFG-48) Decommissioning ceremony held 19 Feb at Naval Station San Diego. Officially decommissioned and stricken on this date. Retained as FMS candidate.

31 Mar Peleliu (LHA-5) Decommissioned at Naval Station San Diego. Retained as Mobilization B Asset at inactive reserve fleet in Pearl Harbor.

6 May Rush (WHEC-723) Decommissioning ceremony held at Coast Guard Base Honolulu on 3 Feb. Officially decommissioned at Coast Guard Island Alameda, CA, and transferred to the Bangladesh Navy and renamed BNS Somudra Avijan.

8 May Taylor (FFG-50) Decommissioned and stricken at Naval Station Mayport, FL. To be disposed of by dismantling.

22 May Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)

Decommissioned and stricken at Naval Station Mayport, FL. To be disposed of by dismantling.

30 Jun Long Island (WPB-1342)

Decommissioned.

30 Jun Grand Isle (WPB-1338)

Decommissioned.

21 Jul Roanoke Island (WPB-1346)

Decommissioned.

5 Aug Gary (FFG-51) Decommissioning ceremony held at Naval Station San Diego on 23 Jul. Officially decommissioned and stricken. Retained as FMS candidate.

21 Sep Kaufman (FFG-59) Decommissioning ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk on 18 Sep. Officially decommissioned and stricken. Retained as FMS candidate.

30 Sep Simpson (FFG-56) Decommissioning ceremony held at Naval Station Mayport, FL, on 29 Sep. Officially decommissioned and stricken. Last Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in service. Retained as FMS candidate.

16 Oct Albuquerque (SSN-706)

Inactivated at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego.



SHIPS/CRAFT REACTIVATED FROM THE READY RESERVE FORCE (RRF)

Date Name (Hull No.) Comments Days

30 Jan Cape Race (T-AKR-9960) Operation United Assistance 54

7 Apr Cornhusker State (T-ACS-6) Turbo Activation TA 15-01 6

7 Apr Cape Intrepid (T-AKR-11) Turbo Activation TA 15-01 7

7 Apr Cape Edmont (T-AKR-5069) Turbo Activation TA 15-01 6

27 Jul Cape Inscription (T-AKR-5076) Turbo Activation TA 15-03 6

27 Jul Cape Isabel (T-AKR-5062) Turbo Activation TA 15-03 6

27 Jul Cape Washington (T-AKR-9961) Turbo Activation TA 15-03 6

27 Jul Flickertail State (T-ACS-5) Turbo Activation TA 15-03 7

20 Aug Curtiss (T-AVB-4) Exercise Dawn Blitz 22

13 Sep Cape Mohican (T-AKR-5065) Exercise Brilliant Zenith 17

21 Sep Cape Henry (T-AKR-5067) Turbo Activation TA 15-04 8

21 Sep Cape Island (T-AKR-10) Turbo Activation TA 15-04 8

21 Sep Cape Knox (T-AKR-5082) Turbo Activation TA 15-04 9

21 Sep Cape Trinity (T-AKR-9711) Turbo Activation TA 15-04 9

Note: A turbo activation is a no-notice test of how well and how quickly the civilian companies who manage the RRF ships can bring them from reduced- to full-operating status within a specified period of time. It is funded by the Joint Staff and administered by the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM).

NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE DISPOSED OF THROUGH THE NAVY’S RECYCLING PROGRAM

Ship Name Recycling Start Date Recycling Completion Date

Ex-Groton (SSN-694) 09/30/13 05/30/16

Ex-Birmingham (SSN-695) 10/01/13 05/30/16

Ex-NR-1 08/01/15 05/31/17

Ex-Phoenix (SSN-702) 08/01/15 05/31/17

Ex-Baltimore (SSN-704) 08/01/15 05/31/17

Ex-Indianapolis (SSN-697) 10/01/15 11/30/17

Ex-Atlanta (SSN-712) 10/01/16 05/31/18

Ex-Narwhal (SSN-671) 10/01/16 05/31/18

Ex-Portsmouth (SSN-707) 10/01/17 11/30/18

Ex-Minneapolis/St. Paul (SSN-708) 10/01/17 11/30/18

Ex-Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709) 10/01/18 11/30/19

Ex-Salt Lake City (SSN-716) 10/01/18 11/30/19

Ex-Memphis (SSN-691) 05/01/19 11/30/20

Ex-Augusta (SSN-710) 05/01/19 11/30/20

Ex-Philadelphia (SSN-690) 10/01/19 11/30/20

Ex-Norfolk (SSN-714) 10/01/19 11/30/20

Ex-City of Corpus Christi (SSN-705) 10/01/20 11/30/21

Ex-Albuquerque 10/01/20 11/30/21

Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program: Responsible for the dismantling and disposal of decommissioned nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVN), submarines (SSN/SSBN), and cruisers (CGN). All nuclear-powered ship/submarine dismantling is done at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. Prior to commencing the inactivation availability, the submarine or ship is placed in a “stand-down” status (“active, in reserve”). This availability consists of defueling the nuclear reactor(s), de-energizing and draining ships’ systems, and removing any equipment needed for reuse in the fleet. Decommissioning and striking from the Naval Vessel Register takes place after defueling is completed. The removed nuclear fuel is sent to the facilities at Arco, Idaho, for reprocessing.



SHIPS/CRAFT TRANSFERRED TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Date Recipient USN-USCG Name/Hull Number

6 May Bangladesh Rush (WHEC-723) and renamed BNS Somudra Avijan.

Inactivation is usually performed at Puget Sound, but can be done at any nuclear-capable shipyard, such as Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire. Several boats have been inactivated there because of the backlog of work at Puget Sound. If this is done, the hull must be prepared for open tow to Puget Sound. For ships/submarines inactivated at Puget Sound the dismantling usually takes place concurrently with the inactivation availability. Hull recycling is accomplished by removing all remaining equipment, cutting the hull into manageable pieces, removing and disposing of hazardous materials, and declassifying and demilitarizing material/equipment to be scrapped. The HY-80 steel and other scrap metals are sold to commercial metals purchasers to melt down and reuse in other forms. The reactor compartments are “packaged” and shipped to the Department of Energy Nuclear Establishment at Hanford, Washington, where they are placed in a trench. Once the trench is full the compartments will be buried. The completion dates indicated in the table are the “Official Completion Dates”—the date the ship in question ceases to exist as an entity.

Note: All future “Recycling Start Dates” are projected.

FORMER NAVY/MARAD SHIPS DISPOSED OF BY THE NAVY/MARITIME ADMINISTRATION BY SCRAPPING OR OTHER MEANS


30 Jan James McHenry (HLS-1) Contract for scrapping awarded to Southern Recycling LLC.

NATIONAL DEFENSE NEWS AND ANALYSIS BY THOSE WHO KNOW

USNI News is the Naval Institute’s online outlet for independent and authoritative news and information about the Sea Services and international navies. Since its launch in 2013, USNI News has become a leading source for up-to-the-minute maritime news from the waterfront to Capitol Hill to the Pentagon.

NEWS.USNI.ORG

30 Jan Monongahela (AO-178) Contract for scrapping awarded to Southern Recycling LLC.

13 Feb Thomas S. Gates (CG-51) Contract for scrapping awarded to Southern Recycling LLC.

13 Feb Doyle (FFG-39) Contract for scrapping awarded to Southern Recycling LLC.

19 Feb Cape Lambert (T-AKR-5077)

Contract for scrapping awarded to International Shipbreaking Ltd.

24 Nov Flint (T-AE-32) Contract for scrapping awarded to All Star Metals LLC.


Documents

with permission; Copyright © 2016 U.S. Naval Institute … Force...Full at San Juan, PR. Homeported at San Juan. 20 Oct Joseph Napier (WPC-1115) Delivered and placed in Commission,