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Preble Sails Again as Navy Welcomes New Destroyer

Navy Newsstand

12/24/2002 8:31:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Jason Heavner, SURFPAC Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Preble (DDG 88), the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, arrived in San Diego Dec. 11, less than 30 months after its keel was laid in Pascagoula, Miss.

Preble was introduced to the fleet in a commissioning ceremony in Boston in November.

DDG 88 is the Navy's fourth destroyer (and sixth ship overall) to carry the proud moniker of its namesake, Edward Preble, who served in the Navy from his days as a midshipman in 1777 until his death as a commodore in 1807.

Edward Preble's career mirrored many of the key naval events in the early years of the American republic. He led a successful campaign against the Barbary States in 1803-1804 and would later earn the distinction of being the first naval officer to fly the American flag east of the Cape of Good Hope while in command of USS Essex.

After his tenure on the Essex, Preble took command of the USS Constitution and attacked the harbor of Tripoli during his sailing against the Barbary States in 1803. His daring attack influenced the minds of later prominent naval figures such as Stephen Decatur and William Bainbridge.

The Preble's arrival in December marked the fourth newly commissioned destroyer to be stationed in San Diego since May 2001. And despite tensions in the Middle East, Preble will be in San Diego at least a year to conduct initial sea trials.

"It's like a new car - You always want to get a feel for it," said Cmdr. Timothy Batzler, commanding officer of Preble. "The same applies for this great ship. The crew will be taking the ship out for sea trials in the next few months and will be doing various equipment testing to make sure we're ready when that time comes to take care of the mission that will lie ahead.

"I know for sure that with the expertise and the enthusiasm of the crew that I have, we will take care of the necessary tasks at hand," adds the Baltimore native.

For some crew members, arriving back in San Diego was a much-anticipated event. "All of my family lives in Los Angeles, so being stationed in San Diego is the best thing going for me as I start my career," says Personnelman Seaman Jose Fuentes.

"I've been stationed here before, and I love being back here. The weather here cannot be beat," says Operations Specialist 2nd Class Kim Feroni of Minneapolis.