Military

DDG 89 Mustin

During the ship's construction period the majority of crew members are initially assigned to the Pre-Commissioning Detachment (PCD) MUSTIN in San Diego, CA., before reporting to the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) MUSTIN at the ship building yard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. While assigned to the PCD, each crewmember will attend initial or follow-on training and schools to solidify their technical and professional skills prior to reporting onboard the ship.

AEGIS destroyers are equipped to conduct a variety of missions, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, in support of national military strategy and operate with battle groups in high-threat environments. They provide essential escort capabilities to Navy and Marine Corps amphibious forces, combat logistics ships and convoys. These multi-mission ships are equipped with the Navy's modern AEGIS combat weapons system, which combines space-age communication, radar and weapons technologies in a single platform for unlimited flexibility while operating "Forward...From the Sea." These destroyers replace older, less capable ships that are being taken out of service as the Navy reduces spending while maintaining quality as part of its overall plan to recapitalize the fleet. The ship will carry Standard surface-to-air missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from forward and aft vertical launching systems; two fully automated, radar-controlled Phalanx close-in weapons systems; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; two torpedo launchers; one five-inch gun; and electronic warfare systems.

The Navy took delivery of the Mustin from Nortrop Grumman Igalls on April 4, 2003.

The Navy commissioned the 39th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Mustin (DDG 89), during a twilight ceremony July 26, 2003 at Naval Air Station North Island, and gave command of the ship to Cmdr. Ann Phillips. Mustin's sponsors, Lucy Holcomb Mustin, wife of ship's co-namesake retired Vice Adm. Henry C. Mustin, II; Jean Phillips Mustin, wife of ship's co-namesake retired Lt. Cmdr. Thomas M. Mustin; and Douglas Mustin St. Denis, sister of Henry C. Mustin, II and Thomas M. Mustin, gave the order to "man our ship and bring her to life."

Previous Ships

The destroyer USS MUSTIN (DD 413) (1939-1946), named in Capt. Henry C. Mustin's honor, earned thirteen battle stars for World War II service that included the battles of Santa Cruz and Guadalcanal and major amphibious operations in the Pacific. This name has received significant support from veterans of that ship. Vice Admiral Mustin's two sons, retired Navy Vice Adm. Henry C. Mustin, and Lieutenant Commander Thomas M. Mustin have continued their family's legacy of service. Vice Admiral Mustin, a 1955 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the 1980's as the Naval Inspector General; Commander, Second Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy. Lieutenant Commander Mustin, also a Naval Academy Graduate (1962) earned a Bronze Star during the Vietnam conflict for river patrol combat action.

Namesake

Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig announced his decision to name the 39th ship of the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, "MUSTIN." USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) will honor the Mustin family who have recorded a rich and honorable tradition of naval service. This tradition is marked by officers who were extraordinarily creative innovators. The Mustins' legacy to the Navy service lasted from 1896 until 1989; nearly one century of naval history.

Capt. Henry C. Mustin, U.S. Navy, (1874-1923), a 1896 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899; flew the first aircraft ever catapulted from a ship; flew the first operational missions of naval aircraft during the Veracruz operation in 1914; and was the first commander of Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. His son, Vice Adm. Lloyd Mustin, (1911-1999), a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, took part in developing the Navy's first lead-computing antiaircraft gun sight, which proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of World War II, and served on the cruiser USS ATLANTA (CL 51) during the naval battle of Guadalcanal. His ship was lost during that action; and with other survivors he landed on Guadalcanal and served ashore with a naval unit attached to the First Marine Division. His post war service included commands at sea and development and evaluation of weapon systems. He later served as director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.