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Loss of a shipmate

U.S. Navy Releases Name of Deceased Arleigh Burke Sailor – US Navy Press Release – August 4, 2022

Seaman Recruit was lost at sea on August 1, 2022.

“This bright, young man made an oversized positive impact on Arleigh Burke.  My entire crew’s thoughts and prayers are with Seaman Recruit Spearman’s family and friends.  We offer our most sincere condolences for their loss.”

“Thank you to the Swedish and German navies, the U.S. Air Force, and the Sailors from Arleigh Burke for their extensive efforts to search for our shipmate.”

CDR. Pete Flynn, Commanding Officer, USS Arleigh Burke

Spearman, of North Carolina, enlisted on Nov. 10, 2021. He reported to Arleigh Burke on April 21, 2022 after his training at Great Lakes, Ill.

Arleigh Burke In Memoriam Page

31st Memorabilia

Ballcaps and Coins are still available.

Crew Ballcap
31st Coin

31st anniversary hats and coins are still available.  These hats are available in coyote brown and have the DESRON 23 Little Beaver on one side and our anniversary slogan “Fast and Feared for Over 30 Years” on the other.  “Built to Fight is embroidered on the back above the arch.

Prices: 
Crew ballcaps:  $20
O5/06/Flag ballcaps:  $25
Coins: $10

In addition to our 31st anniversary memorabilia we are continuing to offer reduced pricing of our remining 25th anniversary T-shirts:  now only $5.  Crew ball caps ($20) with 25th anniversary marking are also available

You may send a check, or receive an invoice from the Association on PayPal.

Either way, fill out the desired items below, and you will receive the address for a check or PayPal invoice. Depending on the order, shipping and PayPal fees may be added.

RDML Tom Anderson Nominated for Promotion

Congratulations to RDML Tom Anderson on his nomination for promotion.

He served on DDG51 as Auxiliaries Officer, Electrical Officer, Material Officer, and coordinated the first two Chief of Naval Operations availabilities for the DDG 51 Class.

He held several later positions contributing to the success of the class, including Ship Superintendent, Planning Yard OIC, Post Delivery Coordinator, Class Chief Engineer, Regional Maintenance Center Commander, and PEO Ships.

VADM John Nowell, Jr. Retirement

Congratulations to VADM John Nowell, Jr. on retirement after 38 years of service.

One of eight Arleigh Burke shipmates (to date) that have made flag.

Welcome #71, and some thoughts on the endurance of the DDG51 Class

When this was drafted, we did not realize one hull was delayed, so the 71st hull number was actually the 70th delivered.

USS Frank E Petersen, DDG 121 was commissioned on Friday, joining the fleet as the 71st in the class.

It wasn’t clear that the class would be this enduring.  In 1985, the plan was for 29 ships, to (mostly) replace the Charles F Adams and Coontz class.

Construction continued past 29, ending with #112 as the Navy’s interest was shifting towards DDG1000 and LCS.

After several years gap, it became apparent that the DDG1000 and LCS capability was not panning out, and the DDG51 production line restarted.

Current discussion is for production contracts to extend through 2027, some 42 years after the initial contract was signed for DDG51.

So why has the design proved enduring?

Continue reading….

DDG51 Earns 2021 Battle “E”

Arleigh Burke was recently announced as a winner of Battle E Award for 2021. The Battle “E” recognizes the top ship in each squadron and is awarded for demonstrating sustained superior performance, operational effectiveness, and continuous readiness. This is the same award that was presented to then LCDR Arleigh Burke’s ship, USS Mugford (DD-389), in 1939-1940.

Commanding Officer, USS Mugford (DD-389). On board his ship, circa 1939-1940. LCdr. Burke is standing by the E award Mugford won for gunnery excellence while he was in command. The E is painted on the shield of one of the ship’s forward 5/38 gun mounts. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation; Collection of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.