Shoup Celebrates Fourth Birthday During Valiant Shield '06
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060626-02
Release Date: 6/26/2006 8:38:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tim Roache, USS Shoup Public Affairs
USS SHOUP, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Shoup (DDG 86) turned 4 years old June 22 while participating in Exercise Valiant Shield ’06, a joint exercise designed to reinforce the United States’ commitment to the Pacific Region.
Shoup, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was commissioned in Seattle, Wash. June 22, 2002.
The ship was named after Medal of Honor recipient Gen. David Shoup, a Marine who earned the distinction in the battle of Tarawa during World War II as the commander of all Marine Corps troops in action against Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll and Gilbert Islands, Nov. 20–22, 1943.
Shoup Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW) Herb Gregory said he has seen many positive influences and growth during his time aboard and reflected on the ship’s namesake.
“The Shoup has a great crew, and the chain of command functions very well,” said Gregory. “The crew morale is very high, and I believe we uphold the standards that Gen. Shoup served while on active duty.”
Since Shoup’s commissioning, many Sailors have checked aboard and transferred, but there are still 21 crew members that have been aboard since Shoup’s commissioning, known as “plankowners”.
Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class (SW) Patricia Genes of Long Island, N.Y., is one of these plankowners. From her days as a Seaman Recruit until now, Genes is impressed with Shoup’s capabilities.
“At first, we were all new to the ship and learning new things,” said Genes. “Now, we aim for the stars and we reach them.”
Shoup has a crew of 304, all of whom work and live together in very close quarters.
“After four years on this kind of ship, you get to know everybody,” said Genes. “It’s like we’re family.”
Shoup’s crew celebrated the ship’s birthday with a ceremony on the mess decks, followed by a cake cutting and an ice cream social.
“We put on a celebration dinner with steak and crab legs,” said Gregory. “This celebration had all the trimmings for the crew.”
Shoup is currently deployed as part of Carrier Strike Group 9, and participated in Exercise Valiant Shield in the Guam area of operations.
Valiant Shield 2006 exercised the U.S. military’s ability to conduct robust, joint command and control operations and rapidly being together joint forces in response to any regional contingency. Along with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Groups also participated in the event.
To learn more about Valiant Shield, visit the Web site at www.pacom.mil.
For related news, visit the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.
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