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FFGRON Celebrates First Anniversary

Navy NewsStand

Release Date: 3/28/2008 3:24:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Regina L. Brown, Fleet Public Affairs Center Detachment Southeast Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- The Frigate Class Squadron (FFGRON) celebrated it's first anniversary along side USS De Wert (FFG 45) at Naval Station Mayport, March 25.

The FFGRON was stood up last February at Naval Station Mayport and is a part of the Class Squadron (CLASSRON) organizational concept under the Surface Warfare Enterprise (SWE) that was put into action in October 2006. Eight class-specific CLASSRONs were created and are overseen by Commander Naval Surface Force, Atlantic.

The reorganization of the SWE strengthened the surface force relationship, allowing for better communication of class-specific issues, specifically the issues of manning, training, equipping, modernizing and sustaining surface ships.

The FFGRON's essential vision includes improving readiness, productivity, efficiency and lowering costs.
Capt. Lang Reese, Commander FFGRON and Destroyer Squadron 14 emphasized this goal while addressing the audience.

"Our goals, are warships with the right readiness, at the right cost, and at the right time," said Reese.

Rear Adm. Kevin W. Quinn, who recently relieved Rear Adm. D.C. Curtis as Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Fleet, expressed his appreciation to all who have had a hand at contributing to the success of FFGRON's first year.

"You should all be proud of your achievements over the past year," said Quinn. He also added with a laugh,
"You made believers out of many people who were skeptics, and I can tell you, there were a lot of skeptics."

In FFGRON's first year of being stood up, issues identified have been resolved through analysis, saving the Navy a considerable amount of money. FFG specific improvement areas include problems with the 76 millimeter guns, fire pump mechanical seals, high pressure air compressors (HPAC) and close-in weapons systems.

The HPACs have been one of the major contributors of increased maintenance costs, but after an overhaul and other corrective maintenance completed, an estimated $1.8 million will be saved annually.

"The list of improvements is long and impressive," said Quinn.

Quinn also had a long list of thanks, including a round of applause for Sailors from USS Constitution, who were in attendance in full period uniform.

Constitution's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. William A. Bullard III and color guard traveled from Charlestown, Mass., where Constitution has been stationed for over one hundred years. Constitution is not only the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy, it's also the oldest frigate.

The ceremony ended with Reese presenting Bullard with a personalized commemorative plaque and Bullard reciprocating with a 40 millimeter, 200 gram saluting shell that had been fired from on board the Constitution.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Southeast, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrse/.