Curtis Wilber (DDG 54) - Naval Cruise Book

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Deployment 1999 Combat Systems Department LCDR Patrick Hollen Combat Systems Officer Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado Commission Source: NROTC College: University of Colorado Reason for Joining: I love the sea! USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) 1 1

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Arabian Gulf Ship ' s History USS CURTIS WILBUR is the fourth of the most powerful and survivable class of destroyers ever put to sea. She possesses the AEGIS Weapon System with the AN SPY-1 D multifunction radar, capable of detecting and engaging multiple targets; the Verti- cal Launching System, capable of storing and rapidly firing 90 missiles; the SQQ-89 Antisubmarine Warfare System with its SQR-19 towed array sonar and the new SQS-53C digital hull mounted sonar; the Harpoon anti-ship cruise missile system; and the Tomahawk land attack cruise missile system, capable of hitting targets hundreds of miles away. CURTIS WILBUR also carries improved versions of the 5-inch gun and the Phalanx Close-in Weapons System. The Arleigh Burke class destroyers represent a return to all-steel construction and incorporate electromagnetic pulse hardening, enhanced firefighting features, and a Collective Protection System to protect against nuclear, chemical, or biological contamination. The distribution of vital equipment throughout the ship, and improved blast and fragmentation protection will help enable the ship to survive a hit and continue to fight. Named in honor of the forty-third Secretary of the Navy, USS CURTIS WILBUR was built by Bath Iron Works, in Bath, Maine. Her keel was laid 12 March 1991, and she was christened just a year later, on 16 May 1992. Her maiden voyage began on 14 February 1994, when she set sail for her homeport of San Diego, California. The voyage included many hours of training for the crew, including a transit through the Panama Canal. On 19 March 1994, CURTIS WILBUR was commissioned in Long Beach, California. The Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable John H. Dalton, was the principal speaker for the ceremony. | During the summer of 1994, CURTIS WILBUR participated in RIMPAC ' 94, a major multinational exercise involving more than thirty ships as well as numerous submarines and air assets, both carrier and land-based. During this exercise, she performed duties as Air Warfare Commander. Also that summer, the Board of Inspection and Survey conducted Final Contract Trials to assess the material status of the ship. CURTIS WILBUR became the first ship of the class, and only the second ship ever to complete the examination with zero mission degrading deficiencies. In October 1994, CURTIS WILBUR became the first AEGIS ship to integrate women into the crew. CURTIS WILBUR departed on her first WESTPAC deployment on 3 1 July 1 995, transiting the Pacific and heading to the Arabian Gulf While deployed with the United States Naval Forces Central Command, she supported Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILANT SENTINEL. During 100 days in the theater, the ship served as Air Warfare Defense Commander, Surface Warfare Defense Commander, Undersea Warfare Defense Commander, and Strike Warfare Commander. CURTIS WILBUR was also a member of the FIFTH FLEET Expeditionary Task Force supporting United Nations sanctions against Iraq. In September 1996, CURTIS WILBUR became part of SEVENTH FLEET, shifting homeport from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan. Upon arrival in Japan, she successfully completed Tailored Shipis Training Availability II and III and was the first ship to validate the Final Evaluation Period. On 15 February 1997, CURTIS WILBUR deployed with the USS INDEPENDENCE Battle Group to participate in exercises TANDEM THRUST ' 97 and COBRA GOLD. CURTIS WILBUR served as the Air Warfare Commander for the battle group. Throughout the remainder of 1997, CURTIS WILBUR participated in numerous SEVENTH FLEET Exercises, including JAVELIN MAKER, MISSILEX ' 97, ASWEX ' 97, HARMEX 97, ANNUALEX, and COMPTUEX. For her successful year and contributions to the fleet, CURTIS WILBUR was selected as Destroyer Squadron Fifteen Battle Efficiency Winner for 1997. Having earned the Battle E, CURTIS WILBUR continued her trend of excellence well into 1998, participating in SHAREM 108. While deployed from 17February 1998 to 19May 1998, CURTIS WILBUR broke new ground, becoming the first ship of her class to cross the Great Barrier Reef During this Southern Pacific Deployment. CURTIS WILBUR participated in numerous multinational anti-submarine exercises. After deployment, CURTIS WILBUR was received in Shimoda, Japan, for the annual Black Ship Festival. After the festival, CURTIS WILBUR returned to Yokosuka for her second Selective Restricted Availability (SRA). During the nine-week shipyard period, CURTIS WILBUR received numerous upgrades, including JTIDS (Link 16), JMCIS 98, and INMARSAT B. In the fall of 1 998, in addition to beginning the training cycle, CURTIS WILBUR deployed for the joint and combined Exercise FOAL EAGLE ' 98 with the Republic of Korea Navy and completed a successful Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification and Naval Surface Fire Support qualification. During the training cycle the ship certified the Main Space Fire Drill for ECERT at TSTA II and had a near flawless performance during ECERT. After completing her second complete training cycle while forward deployed, CURTIS WILBUR participated in SHAREM 127 with the Korean Navy and deployed in March of 1999 with the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group. After completing TANDEM THRUST ' 99, an annual multi-national training exercise, CURTIS WILBUR received immediate tasking to proceed at best speed en route the Arabian Gulf. Steaming in company with USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) and USS CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG-62), CURTIS WILBUR conducted a no-notice high speed transit and arrived in the Gulf 1 8 April. Proceed- ing directly to the Northern Arabian Gulf, CURTIS WILBUR commenced operations in support of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH; enforcing the Southern No-Fly Zone over Iraq and supporting United Nations Sanctions against Iraq by conducting Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) as a member of FIFTH FLEET. CURTIS WILBUR also participated in two major exercises while on her second Arabian Gulf deployment: NAUTICAL SWIMMER ' 99, a combined exercise with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and SHAREM 128, an Undersea Warfare exercise in the North Arabian Sea. Following port visits to Bunbury, Australia, and Phattaya, Thailand, CURTIS WILBUR returned to Yokosuka, Japan on 25 August. Highlights of the recent deployment included CURTIS WILBUR ' S outstanding crew and their continuing achievements. Forty- seven enlisted Sailors earned the coveted Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification, while five officers in the Wardroom earned their Surface Warfare Officer designation. Additionally, two First Class Petty Officers earned qualification as Officer of the Deck for fleet operations, and one earned his qualification as Engineering Officer of the Watch. Finally, seven of CURTIS WILBUR ' S outstanding First Class Petty Officers achieved career milestones as they were selected for promotion to Chief Petty Officer. In the five years since her Commissioning Ceremony, CURTIS WILBUR has proven to be an extremely versatile and capable ship. The men and women that serve in her continue to strive for excellence in order to meet the new challenges posed by today ' s world, -t 10 USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54)

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Arabian Gulf CE Division i ' ' ¥. ¥. Top (From Left to Right): IC2 Michael Mosko, ET3(SW) Justin Halstead, ET1(SW) Alan Willis, ET2(SW) Ray Costello, IC2(SW) Geoffrey Putty Putman, and IC3 Arron Lord Center (From Left to Right): ET1 Timothy Cale, ET2(SW) GarryWheeler, ET3 John Harris, ET2 Ron Jenko, ET2(SW) Tisha Hamilton, and ET2 Steve Vancil Ladder (From Top to Bottom): ET3 Sean Myerhoff, IC1 Bob Hannum, ET1(SW) Tony Boyd, and ETC(SW) Daniel Lavarier Perched (From Left to Right): CW02 Mark Tamillo, ICFN Abraham Lopez, and ET2(SW) Savang Moua • CW02 Tamillo at IC2 Mosko ' s Re-enlistment. ' M 12 USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) 1%«: I- ten- -- : - }y CE Loses these 5 quality sailors this deplyoment. From Left: ET2 Vancil, IC2(SW) Putnam, ETI(SW) Willis (Last Plankowner!). ET2(SW) Costello, and CW02 Tamillo.