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USS Preble (DDG-88)
Encyclopedia
USS Preble (DDG-88) is an Arleigh Burke-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
. She is the sixth U.S. Navy ship named for Commodore Edward Preble
(1761–1807). Preble served in the American Revolutionary War
and was one of the early leaders of the Navy, serving in the Quasi-War
with France and the First Barbary War
.
Preble was commissioned 9 November 2002 at the Commonwealth Pier/World Trade Center
in Boston, Massachusetts
. At her commissioning ceremony USS Preble was docked bow to bow with USS Constitution
, the command of her namesake. The ceremony included a symbolic welcoming aboard of the spirit of Commodore Preble signaled by the ringing of chimes. Among the speakers at the commissioning were U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy
, U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch
, then Chief of Naval Operations
Admiral Vernon E. Clark
USN (Ret.) and journalist and sailor Walter Cronkite
.
. Preble supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Expeditionary Strike Force training and exercise Valiant Shield 2007 during the deployment. She returned to her homeport after seven months on 29 August 2007. In 2008, Preble successfully completed an accelerated training cycle and passed a rigorous Inspection Board and Survey (INSURV) in May. That fall, Preble executed the integrated training phase with the Stennis Strike Group in preparation for a deployment in 2009.
Preble deployed on 17 January 2009 for a routine deployment with the Stennis Carrier Strike Group where she spent five months in the Seventh Fleet
area of responsibility
(AOR), participated in Exercise Foal Eagle
and culminated the deployment with a diplomatic port visit in Tahiti
, French Polynesia
. Preble returned to home port on 15 June 2009. In 2010 Preble shifted to align with the Strike Group and hosted sailors from the New Zealand Navy. The Anzac-class
frigate
HMNZS Te Kaha
and replenishment tanker Endeavour
conducted exercises with Preble during a 3-day underway period. Additionally, Preble was called to act as the lead ship for a Destroyer Squadron Seven multi-group sail that showcased the ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.
In September 2010, Preble conducted an Operational Test Launch of two Block 3C Tomahawk missiles and one Block 4E Tomahawk missile off the coast of San Nicholas Island. The launch was successful and aided in the further development of the weapon system. Preble participated in an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Course at sea as well as three weeks of exercises with Ronald Reagan and sister ships in Destroyer Squadron Seven during the Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in October to November 2010. In November 2010, Preble successfully conducted a Mark 54 torpedo technical evaluation in support of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s development of the torpedo. Preble accurately fired six MK 54 torpedoes during the evaluation.
In all, Preble had a successful 2010 and was awarded the Destroyer Squadron Seven Battle Efficiency Award which recognizes sustained superior performance, operational effectiveness, and continuous readiness. In addition, the ship earned the Black E (Maritime Warfare Excellence), Blue E (Logistics Management and Supply Excellence), Yellow E (Ship Safety) and Red E (Engineering/Survivability Excellence).
In February 2011, Preble deployed with the Ronald Reagan Carrier strike group. Preble was a first responder to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
. The ship conducted humanitarian and disaster relief efforts off the coast of northeastern Japan
. After spending nearly a month off the coast of Japan, Preble continued west to conduct operations in 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. Preble chopped into 5th Fleet in May 2011 and conducted counter-piracy operations as part of Combined Task Force 151. , Preble is continuing operations on her deployment in the Western Pacific.
On 25 August 2011, BAE Systems Ship Repair was awarded a $14.5 million contract, in addition to a previous contract, to upgrade and repair Preble.
Crest
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...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
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...
. She is the sixth U.S. Navy ship named for Commodore Edward Preble
Edward Preble
Edward Preble was a United States naval officer.-Early life and Revolutionary War:Preble was born at Falmouth, Eastern Massachusetts, now Portland, Maine, 15 August 1761, the son of Gen. Jedidiah Preble. As a boy, his home was destroyed in the burning of Falmouth by British Naval Commander Henry...
(1761–1807). Preble served in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and was one of the early leaders of the Navy, serving in the Quasi-War
Quasi-War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was sometimes also referred to as the Franco-American War, the Pirate Wars, or the Half-War.-Background:The Kingdom of France had been a...
with France and the First Barbary War
First Barbary War
The First Barbary War , also known as the Barbary Coast War or the Tripolitan War, was the first of two wars fought between the United States and the North African Berber Muslim states known collectively as the Barbary States...
.
Preble was commissioned 9 November 2002 at the Commonwealth Pier/World Trade Center
Seaport Hotel and Seaport World Trade Center
The Seaport Boston Hotel and the neighboring Seaport World Trade Center is located on the Boston waterfront, also known as Commonwealth Pier, in South Boston, Massachusetts.The Seaport Boston Hotel opened in 1998....
in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. At her commissioning ceremony USS Preble was docked bow to bow with USS Constitution
USS Constitution
USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel...
, the command of her namesake. The ceremony included a symbolic welcoming aboard of the spirit of Commodore Preble signaled by the ringing of chimes. Among the speakers at the commissioning were U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
, U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch
Stephen Lynch (politician)
Stephen F. Lynch is the U.S. representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party who has served since 2001. Lynch was previously an ironworker and lawyer, and served in both chambers of the Massachusetts General Court....
, then Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
Admiral Vernon E. Clark
Vern Clark
Admiral Vernon E. Clark USN was the Chief of Naval Operations in the United States Navy. He retired 22 July 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. He currently sits on the board of directors of Raytheon and SRI International...
USN (Ret.) and journalist and sailor Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite
Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years . During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll...
.
History
Preble departed San Diego in June 2004 for her maiden deployment with the Expeditionary Strike Group. Preble returned home after six months on 17 December 2004. On 20 January 2007, Preble departed for a routine deployment with the carrier strike groupCarrier Strike Group
A carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft...
. Preble supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Expeditionary Strike Force training and exercise Valiant Shield 2007 during the deployment. She returned to her homeport after seven months on 29 August 2007. In 2008, Preble successfully completed an accelerated training cycle and passed a rigorous Inspection Board and Survey (INSURV) in May. That fall, Preble executed the integrated training phase with the Stennis Strike Group in preparation for a deployment in 2009.
Preble deployed on 17 January 2009 for a routine deployment with the Stennis Carrier Strike Group where she spent five months in the Seventh Fleet
United States Seventh Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...
(AOR), participated in Exercise Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle is an annual combined Field Training Exercise conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States armed forces under the auspices of Combined Forces Command within the Korean Theater of Operations . It is one of the largest military exercises conducted annually in the world...
and culminated the deployment with a diplomatic port visit in Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
, French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
. Preble returned to home port on 15 June 2009. In 2010 Preble shifted to align with the Strike Group and hosted sailors from the New Zealand Navy. The Anzac-class
Anzac class frigate
The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
HMNZS Te Kaha
HMNZS Te Kaha (F77)
HMNZS Te Kaha is one of ten Anzac class frigates, and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy . The name Te Kaha is Māori, meaning 'fighting prowess' or 'strength' ....
and replenishment tanker Endeavour
HMNZS Endeavour (A11)
HMNZS Endeavour is the current fleet oiler for the Royal New Zealand Navy. She is named after James Cook's Bark Endeavour and is the third ship in the RNZN to carry that name, though if continuity with the Royal Navy ships of the name HMS Endeavour is considered, she is the twelfth...
conducted exercises with Preble during a 3-day underway period. Additionally, Preble was called to act as the lead ship for a Destroyer Squadron Seven multi-group sail that showcased the ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.
In September 2010, Preble conducted an Operational Test Launch of two Block 3C Tomahawk missiles and one Block 4E Tomahawk missile off the coast of San Nicholas Island. The launch was successful and aided in the further development of the weapon system. Preble participated in an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Course at sea as well as three weeks of exercises with Ronald Reagan and sister ships in Destroyer Squadron Seven during the Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in October to November 2010. In November 2010, Preble successfully conducted a Mark 54 torpedo technical evaluation in support of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s development of the torpedo. Preble accurately fired six MK 54 torpedoes during the evaluation.
In all, Preble had a successful 2010 and was awarded the Destroyer Squadron Seven Battle Efficiency Award which recognizes sustained superior performance, operational effectiveness, and continuous readiness. In addition, the ship earned the Black E (Maritime Warfare Excellence), Blue E (Logistics Management and Supply Excellence), Yellow E (Ship Safety) and Red E (Engineering/Survivability Excellence).
In February 2011, Preble deployed with the Ronald Reagan Carrier strike group. Preble was a first responder to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
. The ship conducted humanitarian and disaster relief efforts off the coast of northeastern Japan
Tohoku region
The is a geographical area of Japan. The region occupies the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region consists of six prefectures : Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata....
. After spending nearly a month off the coast of Japan, Preble continued west to conduct operations in 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. Preble chopped into 5th Fleet in May 2011 and conducted counter-piracy operations as part of Combined Task Force 151. , Preble is continuing operations on her deployment in the Western Pacific.
On 25 August 2011, BAE Systems Ship Repair was awarded a $14.5 million contract, in addition to a previous contract, to upgrade and repair Preble.
Ship's coat of arms
Shield- "Gold and dark blue are the traditional colors associated with the Navy. Commodore Preble’s attack and bombardment of the harbor at Tripoli in 1803 during his campaign against Barbary pirates is recalled by the embattlement and rayonny scarlet chief representing the fire and destruction he rained on the port. Scarlet symbolizes courage and Commodore Preble’s fiery resolve and determination to end attacks upon American trading vessels in the region. The ship’s sail further recalls his successful attack and blockade of Tripoli and refers to his other distinguished U.S. Navy commands, particularly of the USS CONSTITUTION and the frigate ESSEXUSS Essex (1799)The first USS Essex of the United States Navy was a 36-gun or 32-gun sailing frigate that participated in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, and in the War of 1812, during which she was captured by the British in 1814 and served as HMS Essex until sold at public auction on 6 June...
. The head of the lion is derived from the Preble family coat of arms and symbolizes courage and strength. The crossed cutlass and sword represent combat and the readiness, past and present, to defend United States interests. Argent, or silver, signifies integrity, gold denotes excellence."
Crest
- "The eight battle stars earned by USS PREBLE (DD 345)USS Preble (DD-345)The fourth USS Preble was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I, and saw combat in World War II as a minelayer...
for World War II service are recalled by the points of the compass rose and by the laurel wreath, which signifies honor. The compass rose indicates worldwide capabilities and service of the new Preble and its predecessors. The blue escutcheon, in the shape of the radar cover panel used on Aegis vessels, represents the advanced technology and weapons systems of the new ship. It is charged with a cinquefoil, recalling the five previous ships to honorably bear the name Preble. Argent, or silver, denotes integrity and valor, gold signifies excellence."
External links
- USS Preble website
- Commissioning Ceremony, USS Preble United States Sea Cadets Corps, Quonset Point, RI