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USS Mustin Commissioned

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030729-15

Release Date: 7/29/2003 3:44:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Rebecca Horton, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy commissioned the 39th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Mustin (DDG 89), during a twilight ceremony July 26 at Naval Air Station North Island, and gave command of the ship to Cmdr. Ann Phillips.

"Tonight, our Navy gains the newest and most technologically advanced destroyer in the world. This ship and its crew will dominate the seven seas. The name Mustin will be their badge of honor," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark while delivering the principal address during the commissioning ceremony.

Built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss., Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the most capable surface warships ever built. Equipped with the latest weapons, electronics, helicopter support facilities, propulsion, auxiliary and survivability systems, Arleigh Burke destroyers will carry out the Navy's missions well into the 21st century. State-of-the-art command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems provide their ships' crew with complete situational awareness.

"When we go to battle, we are looking for every advantage we can bring to the table," said Clark. "With our servicemembers risking their lives, we are not looking for a fair fight."

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."

Mustin honors a family with a legacy of naval service spanning more than a century.

Capt. Henry C. Mustin (1874-1923) earned a distinguished-service commendation in the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899; flew the first aircraft ever catapulted from a ship; in 1914, flew the first operational missions of naval aircraft during the Veracruz operation; and was the first commander of aircraft squadrons, battle fleet.

Henry C. Mustin's son, Vice Adm. Lloyd Mustin (1911-1999), contributed to the development of the Navy's first lead-computing anti-aircraft gun sight, which proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of World War II, and served aboard the cruiser USS Atlanta (CL 51) during the battle of Guadalcanal. His postwar service included the role of operations director, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Lloyd Mustin's sons, Henry C. Mustin II and Thomas Mustin, continued the family legacy during the later half of the 20th century. Henry C. Mustin II is a decorated Vietnam veteran who was naval inspector general, 2nd Fleet commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy in the 1980s. Thomas Mustin earned a Bronze Star during the Vietnam conflict for river patrol combat action.

"At the core, all of these Mustins are warriors. There is no finer example of naval leaders than their namesake," said Clark.

"USS Mustin is a ship that will bring global terrorism to its knees," said Rear Adm. C.S. Hamilton, Ships Program executive officer.

With a crew of approximately 380 Sailors, Mustin is 509.5 feet in length, has an overall beam of 66.5 feet and draws a 31.9 foot draft. Four gas-turbine engines power the 9,300-ton ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship will be homeported here in San Diego.