Forward Deployed — Operationally Relevant — Capable
DDG51 Service Life Extended to 40 years
OPNAV N96 recently approved a five-year service life extension for USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51).
First-in-class Arleigh Burke’s estimated service life was 35 years, expected to expire in FY 2026, but efforts began early last year to request additional service time for the ship. The approval extension carries the ship out through FY 2031 now, when the ship will be 40 years old.
According to Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, the extension is a testament to the success of the DDG 51 program as a whole and is an example of the Navy’s enduring relationship with industry partners.
“DDG 51’s are the best warships in history. They demonstrate that there are no limits to what we can accomplish with a strong American Navy-industrial partnership”
“Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet and critical to the Nation and the Navy today and long into the future.”
Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic
Read more at: USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) RECEIVES SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION – Naval Surface Force Atlantic Press Release – March 14, 2023
CAPT Robinson takes command of USS Normandy (CG 60)
Congratulations to Capt Errol Robinson on assuming command of USS Normandy (CG 60). He relieved Capt Gary Chase as commanding officer on Feb. 28, 2023. He had previously served as CO and XO on USS Arleigh Burke. More information and pictures on DVIDS.
Another add to the growing list of Arleigh Burke shipmates that subsequently held command positions. Are we missing anyone on the list? Let us know.
Third FDNF-E Patrol
Arleigh Burke commenced its third Forward Deployed Naval Forces – Europe patrol in February, 2023, and conducted a port visit to Stockholm.
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Arrives in Stockholm – Press release on Navy.mil – Feb 17, 2023
Membership Dues & Scholarship Support
70th DDG Class Delivered
by BIW on Jan 26, 2023
CARL M LEVIN (DDG 120) will be commissioned in Baltimore in spring 2023. More information on commissioning and sponsor opportunities at baltnavyleaguecarlmlevin.org
National Museum Update
The Arleigh Burke Foundation is coordinating with the National Museum of the Surface Navy on development of “The Admiral Arleigh Burke Hall of Naval Heroes” to include a permanent exhibit on Admiral Arleigh Burke in the museum housed on ex-USS IOWA in Los Angeles. The museum is set to fully open in 2025, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
Explore the National Museum campus vision:
90th DDG 51 Class Ship Named
SECNAV announced that DDG 140 will honor retired Captain Thomas G. Kelley, a Medal of Honor recipient. The name was selected in 2020 by Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer but not assigned to a specific hull.
On June 15, 1969, Kelley led river assault craft boats when they fell under attack. Kelley, while severely wounded, continued to protect and lead his men to safety. For this gallant effort, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Kelley, despite his injuries, continued his naval career, serving as executive officer on USS Sample (DE 1048) and commanding officer on USS Lang (FF 1060).
Learn more about Capt Kelley.
DDG 140 was appropriated in the fiscal year 2023 budget and will be building during the 40th year of construction of the class.
31st Successful Year!
Forward Deployed
Operationally Relevant
Capable
Providing current Ballistic Missile Defense (SM-3) and Air Defense (SM-6) capabilities to Sixth Fleet!
During 2022 USS Arleigh Burke:
– spent 157 days at sea in 2022 with an OPTEMPO of 49.9%
– advanced 69 Sailors to the next paygrade, the highest of any at-sea command in FDNF-E
– hosted visits from SECNAV and CNO
– conducted successful live-firing with SM-6
– completed a complex Selected Restricted Availability
– completed a successful INSURV at 31 years old young!
Relive the year here
The Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer – The world’s most successful post-war surface combatants
The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class of guided missile destroyers can rightfully be called the most successful class of surface combatants in the post-World War II era. The lead ship was commissioned in 1991, and the Navy is still building them at Huntington Ingalls Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. A total of 89 have been procured through FY2022, (with 70 delivered as of February 2022), including two in FY2022.
Edward Lundquist – Marinelink.com – Dec 21, 2022
Read entire article at Marinelink.com
Deployment Homecoming
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) returned to home port after the second FDNF deployment on Oct 6, 2022. The deployment included:
– steaming 17,243 nautical miles
– six Strait transits
– seven replenishments at sea
– six port visits
– Atlantic Thunder-22, multi-national live fire on the Hebrides Range, including a live SM-6 firing
USS Arleigh Burke Association 