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New London Hosts Frigate During Holiday Weekend

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030711-05

Release Date: 7/11/2003 9:50:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Steven Feller, Commander, Navy Region Northeast Public Affairs

NEW LONDON, Conn. (NNS) -- Navy Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London got a viewing of the Navy's surface force, when it played host to USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) and its crew during the Fourth of July weekend.

Stephen W. Groves, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class, guided-missile frigate homeported in Pascagoula, Miss., visited New London as part of the "Ship to Shore" program.

Ship-to-Shore is the brainchild of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut (CCEC), the City of New London and the state of Connecticut. According to CCEC President Cynthia Clegg, Ship-to-Shore is a way for the community to celebrate its maritime heritage.

"(Ship to Shore) is a small way to host the surface Navy and highlight SUBASE and the Coast Guard personnel and what they do for the region and community," said Clegg. "We are proud of the Navy region, and from a positive economic standpoint, they contribute a lot to the community. From 1999 to this year, they have contributed $35.5 million, and all their volunteer and community services are invaluable."

Stephen W. Groves, which participates in anti-submarine warfare, is primarily used in counter-drug operations. According to Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rodelio Laco, Stephen W. Groves will deploy towards the end of summer.

"The ship recovered four tons of cocaine during its last deployment," said Laco. "Last year, we received a $9 million combat systems upgrade, which will help us in our counter-drug operations."

Laco said the ship was originally scheduled to visit another city during the July 4 holiday, but decided to come to New London instead. He also said one of the ship's greatest supporters lives in the area.

"The only surviving brother of our ship's namesake lives here in Connecticut," said Laco. "He's been a great supporter of the ship, and he came out to visit us on Saturday."

The ship is named for Ensign Stephen W. Groves, a 25-year-old World War II aviator, who died at the Battle of Midway. During the battle, he took off nine times from his carrier and was among the group of six American aircraft credited with shooting down 14 Japanese aircraft, and causing six others to retreat. For his action, Groves was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

This is the third year Ship to Shore has been running, but only the second year in New London. New London hosted USS Caron (DD 970) in 2001 but was unable to acquire a ship last year. Clegg said last year, the Navy was swamped with requests for ship visits, and that the events of Sept. 11, 2001, had an impact on the Navy's ability to provide a ship for the Ship to Shore program.

"For this year's program, we put in a request for a ship to (U.S. Atlantic Fleet Commander) Adm. (Robert J.) Natter in September 2002 and two weeks ago, we found out the Groves would be coming here," said Clegg.

Clegg continued to say the CCEC and New London would love to have the Ship to Shore program become an annual event, and see the program expand.

"We would love to see more ships. We'll even take an aircraft carrier...that would be awesome," laughed Clegg.