USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

Arleigh Burke class destroyer

The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's first class of destroyer built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The class is named for Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of...

 in the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

.

Oscar Austin is named for Private First Class Oscar P. Austin

Oscar P. Austin

Private First Class Oscar Palmer Austin was a United States Marine who posthumously received his nation's highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for heroism and sacrifice of his own life in Vietnam in February 1969.-Biography:Austin was born on January 15, 1949, in Nacogdoches,...

, USMC

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

, a recipient of the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

. His mother, Mildred Austin, was the matron of honor at the commissioning.

Oscar Austins maiden deployment in late 2002 resulted in her participation in the opening strikes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

2003 invasion of Iraq

The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...

. Oscar Austin recently deployed in September 2005, once again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

2003 invasion of Iraq

The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...

. The ship returned from a successful deployment in March 2006.

As of 2007, Oscar Austin was operating in DESRON 26

DESRON

A destroyer squadron is a naval squadron or flotilla usually consisting of destroyers rather than other types of vessel. In some navies other vessels, such as frigates, may be included. In English the word "squadron" tends to be used for larger and "flotilla" for smaller vessels, both may be used...

.

As of 2008 the Oscar Austin is the first combatant ship to deploy with a Scan Eagle UAV developed and flown by Insitu

Insitu

Insitu, Inc. is an American company headquartered in Bingen, Washington that builds Unmanned aerial vehicles . On July 22, 2008, it was announced that Insitu would be acquired by long-time partner Boeing.-History:...

 Inc.

Flight IIA Ships

Oscar Austin is the first ship of the Flight IIA subclass of the Arleigh Burke class. Compared to previous Burkes, Flight IIAs are four feet and six inches (1.4 m) longer, displace about 900 tons more, carry six more VLS cells, and have a hangar that can house two SH-60 Seahawk

SH-60 Seahawk

The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...

 helicopter

Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

s. To prevent the additional superstructure aft from fouling radar returns, the rear-facing SPY-1D

Aegis combat system

The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and now produced by Lockheed Martin...

 panels are one deck higher. Oscar Austin is one of two Flight IIA ships using the older 5″/54 caliber naval rifle (the other is Roosevelt (DDG-80)

USS Roosevelt (DDG-80)

USS Roosevelt is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The Roosevelt is the second Flight IIA ship and the last US Navy destroyer to carry the 5"/54 Mk. 45 mod 3 gun....

) which cannot use certain advanced munitions that require the longer 5"/62 caliber gun mounted by USS Winston S Churchill

USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)

USS Winston S. Churchill is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy. She is the 31st destroyer of a planned 62-ship class. The Churchill is named after the...

and later Burkes.
They have their Harpoon anti-ship missiles removed to reduce costs.

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