Forrest Sherman Comes to New Home in Norfolk
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060206-14
2/6/2006
By Photographer’s Mate Airman Casandra Newell, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) arrived at its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 3, after being commissioned at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Jan. 28.
“Forrest Sherman enhances our nation’s presence and interest in peace, and our Naval strength in conflict,” said Forrest Sherman’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Michael G. Van Durick, noting the ship’s asset to naval operations.
Forrest Sherman provides multiple defensive and offensive capabilities, which include the MK-41 vertical launch systems, which fires up to 96 standard surface-to-air, Tomahawk surface-to-surface missiles and VLA (vertical launch) anti-submarine missiles.
The 48th ship in the Arleigh Burke-class of guided-missile destroyers promises to live up to its motto, “Relentless Fighting Spirit.”
That fighting spirit was tested, said Van Durick, during construction in the Gulf Coast, in 2005.
“The greatest moment was bringing the ship to life in Pensacola only five months after Hurricane Katrina swept away every document, instruction and program in our precommissioning office, along with significant personal property of over 200 of my Sailors,” said Van Durick.
DDG 98 is the second ship to bear the name Forrest Sherman. The previous, DDG 931, was decommissioned in 1982 after 27 years of service to the fleet.
“We have a great deal to live up to, and be proud of as Forrest Sherman Sailors,” said Van Durick.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
