USS Mitscher (DDG-57)

	USS Mitscher on 20 June 2007
History
United States
Name	Mitscher
Namesake	Marc A. Mitscher
Ordered	13 December 1988
Builder	Ingalls Shipbuilding
Laid down	12 February 1992
Launched	7 May 1993
Commissioned	10 December 1994
Homeport	Norfolk
Identification	MMSI number: 366996000; Callsign: NMTR; ; Hull number: DDG-57;
Motto	Seize the Day
Status	in active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
Displacement	Light: approx. 6,800 long tons (6,900 t); Full: approx. 8,900 long tons (9,000 t);
Length	505 ft (154 m)
Beam	59 ft (18 m)
Draft	31 ft (9.4 m)
Propulsion	2 × shafts
Speed	In excess of 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range	4,400 nmi (8,100 km; 5,100 mi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	33 commissioned officers; 38 chief petty officers; 210 enlisted personnel;
Sensors and ; processing systems	AN/SPY-1D PESA 3D radar (Flight I, II, IIA); AN/SPY-6(V)1 AESA 3D radar (Flight III); AN/SPS-67(V)3 or (V)5 surface search radar (DDG-51 – DDG-118); AN/SPQ-9B surface search radar (DDG-119 onwards); AN/SPS-73(V)12 surface search/navigation radar (DDG-51 – DDG-86); BridgeMaster E surface search/navigation radar (DDG-87 onwards); 3 × AN/SPG-62 fire-control radar; Mk 46 optical sight system (Flight I, II, IIA); Mk 20 electro-optical sight system (Flight III); AN/SQQ-89 ASW combat system:; AN/SQS-53C sonar array; AN/SQR-19 tactical towed array sonar (Flight I, II, IIA); TB-37U multi-function towed array sonar (DDG-113 onwards); AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III shipboard system;
Electronic warfare ; & decoys	AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite; AN/SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo countermeasures; Mk 36 Mod 12 decoy launching systems; Mk 53 Nulka decoy launching systems; Mk 59 decoy launching systems;
Armament	Guns:; 1 × 5-inch (127 mm)/54 mk 45 mod 1/2 (lightweight gun); 2 × 20 mm (0.8 in) Phalanx CIWS; 2 × 25 mm (0.98 in) Mk 38 machine gun system; 4 × 0.50 inches (12.7 mm) caliber guns; Missiles:; 2 × Mk 141 Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher; 1 × 29-cell, 1 × 61-cell (90 total cells) Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS):; RIM-66M surface-to-air missile; RIM-156 surface-to-air missile; RIM-161 anti-ballistic missile; BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile; RUM-139 vertical launch ASROC; Torpedoes:; 2 × Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes:; Mark 46 lightweight torpedo; Mark 50 lightweight torpedo; Mark 54 lightweight torpedo;
Aircraft carried	1 × Sikorsky MH-60R

The USS Mitscher (DDG-57) is an Arleigh Burke class in service with the United States Navy. It was constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding, in Pascagoula, Mississippi on an order in December 1988. Laid down in 1992 it was formally commissioned on 10 December 1994.

Namesake

USS Mitscher (DDG-57) became the second United States Navy warship named to honor Admiral Marc A. Mitscher (1887–1947), famed naval aviator and World War II aircraft carrier task force commander.

Service history

USS Mitscher was commissioned on 10 December 1994, and was sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson. Mitscher transferred to her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia later in December 1994, and has since made three Mediterranean deployments and participated in many Caribbean exercises. On 20 September 1998 a plaque was dedicated to USS Mitscher at Mahon (Naval) Cemetery where US and UK sailors lie at rest, some from various ships in the 1800s.

In 2001, Mitscher deployed with Carrier Group 2 centered on the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman. In October 2006, Mitscher participated in Neptune Warrior, a joint war exercise with navies from all over the world.

On 16 February 2007, Mitscher was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.^[4]

Beginning 23 July 2011, during its 2011 deployment, the strike group's anti-piracy capabilities was augmented by the addition of a U.S. Coast Guard 12-person Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) embarked aboard Mitscher. These deployable Coast Guard boarding teams consisted of highly trained maritime law enforcement specialists capable of Level III non-compliant boardings. As the only organization in the U.S. government with the combined authority of a law enforcement agency, an intelligence agency, and a military service, they brought additional capabilities and expertise to Mitscher's embarked visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team. Mitscher's VBSS team and the AIT trained together between operations to enhance their joint boarding tactics, boat operation skills, and internal movements.^[5]

On 13 August 2011, as part of Combined Task Force 150 operating in the Gulf of Aden, Mitscher provided assistance to the Sri Lankan-flagged cargo vessel Al Habib which was experiencing engineering problems and running low on water. Mitscher's VBSS-AIT boarding party transported supplies to Al Habib via rigid-hulled inflatable boat, including two 3-gallon (11.36 liters) containers of water and four cases of bottled water.^[6]

On 24 February 2012 Commander Monika W. Stoker became the first African-American female to become the commanding officer of a U.S. Destroyer. Commander Stoker relieved Commander Brian K. Sorrenson after serving as his executive officer for 20 months prior.

On 2 June 2015, Mitscher welcomed the Hermione in US waters on behalf of the US Navy.

On 16 April 2022, Mitscher arrived at Norfolk following a surge deployment.^[7]

On 9 August 2023, The Navy announced plans to extend the ship's service life beyond the initial 35 years, intending to keep Mitscher in service until at least 2034.^[8]

Coat of arms

The combined anchor and trident symbolize sea prowess and combat readiness. The life preserver ringing the anchor commemorates Admiral Mitscher's compassion for his crew as manifested through his relentless determination in tracking down and recovering downed air crews. The three tines of the trident represent the ship's significant capabilities in strike, air, and subsurface warfare. The trident's position, rising above the crest, symbolizes the ability to project power over great distances. The gold wings represent Admiral Mitscher's service and dedication, throughout his career, in advancing naval aviation and developing strike warfare. Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. Red is emblematic of sacrifice and valor. The cross throughout the shield recalls the Navy Cross Admiral Mitscher was awarded for his participation in the first successful transatlantic air passage. The two stars above the cross commemorate his awards of 2nd and 3rd Distinguished Service Medals and his 2nd and 3rd awards of the Navy Cross for meritorious service during operations in the Pacific during World War II. The armored gauntlet represents the strength and survivability of the ship. The lightning bolts symbolize energy and speed and the ability of the ship to conduct multi-mission operations in any dimension. The gauntlet grasping the lightning bolts highlights USS MITSCHER's motto "SEIZE THE DAY", recalling Admiral Mitscher's tenacious fighting spirit and dignifying DDG 57's legacy.^[9]

Gallery

USS Mitscher on the Firth of Clyde for the October 2006 Neptune Warrior exercise.
USS Mitscher at Portsmouth in October 2008 with the masts of HMS Victory in the background.
USS Mitscher at Portsmouth in October 2008 berthed with HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious.
USS Mitscher welcoming Hermione in US waters.

References

This article includes information collected from the public domain sources Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and Naval Vessel Register.

^ "Mk46 MOD 1 Optical Sight System". Kollmorgen. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
^ Rockwell, David (12 July 2017). "The Kollmorgen/L-3 KEO Legacy". Teal Group. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
^ Hart, Jackie (17 December 2023). "Decoy Launch System Installed Aboard USS Ramage". navy.mil. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
^ MC1 Paula M. Ludwick (19 February 2007). "Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E"". United States Navy. Retrieved 22 April 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ King, Deven B. (15 August 2011). "Mitscher, Coast Guard Team Up to Fight Piracy". NNS110815-13. United States Navy. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
^ King, Deven B. (22 August 2011). "Combined Maritime Forces' USS Mitscher Assists Vessel in Distress". NNS110822-04. United States Navy. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
^ "USS Mitscher Returns to Norfolk After Surge Deployment". navy.mil. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
^ "Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers". navytimes.com. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
^ "USS Mitscher DDG-57 About Us - Crest". surflant.usff.navy.mil. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

External links

Official USS Mitscher Web site

[1] "Mk46 MOD 1 Optical Sight System". Kollmorgen. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.

[2] Rockwell, David (12 July 2017). "The Kollmorgen/L-3 KEO Legacy". Teal Group. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.

[3] Hart, Jackie (17 December 2023). "Decoy Launch System Installed Aboard USS Ramage". navy.mil. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2023.

[4] MC1 Paula M. Ludwick (19 February 2007). "Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E"". United States Navy. Retrieved 22 April 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[5] King, Deven B. (15 August 2011). "Mitscher, Coast Guard Team Up to Fight Piracy". NNS110815-13. United States Navy. Retrieved 16 August 2011.

[6] King, Deven B. (22 August 2011). "Combined Maritime Forces' USS Mitscher Assists Vessel in Distress". NNS110822-04. United States Navy. Retrieved 23 August 2011.

[7] "USS Mitscher Returns to Norfolk After Surge Deployment". navy.mil. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.

[8] "Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers". navytimes.com. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.

[9] "USS Mitscher DDG-57 About Us - Crest". surflant.usff.navy.mil. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

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