McFaul (DDG 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS McFaul (DDG-74) Vital Statistics Length: 505 ft Beam: 66 ft Displacement: 8849 tons Propulsion: 4 LM2500 gas turbines 100,000 combined shaft horsepower Electricity: 3 Allison 501-K34 gas turbine generators 2500 kW each Ton Speed: 30+ knots v: 25 Officers 315 Enlisted Weapons Systems: 5 5 ' 754 caliber Lightweight Gun e-in Weapons System (CIWS) is Combat System )oon Antiship Missiles uvanced Tomahawk Weapons System ndard Missile II -tically-Launched Antisubmarine Rockets yiK 46 Torpedoes

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Ports of Call: Trieste Venice, Italy Souda Bay, Crete Muscat, Oman Jebel Ali Dubai, United Arab Emirates Port Victoria, Seychelles Bahrain Cartagena, Spain Halifax, Nova Scotia Transits: Straits of Gibralter Suez Canal Bab el Mendeb Straits of Hormuz In Support of: Arabian Shark Operation Enduring Free Operation Iraqi Free Operation Sea Dra ebruary 18 -August 16 2004

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USS McFaul (DDG-74J Commissioned on April 25, 1998, the USS McFaul is the 24th guided-missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke-class. She was constructed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by lngalls Shipbuilding, using a method known as modular construc- tion . In modular construction, larger functional portions of the ship are constructed separately and then are assembled together, a method which is used to build all Navy vessels today. The McFaul is a multi-mission platform: with her wide array of weapons and sensor systems, she is capable of fighting surface action against other ships, combating hostile aircraft and missiles, hunting and destroying enemy submarines, as well as conducting long-range strategic precision strike against land targets. In addition, the USS McFaul is capable of providing fire support to combat elements on land, responding to calls for fire with her 5 54 caliber gunmount. Driven by four powerful LM2500 gas turbine engines, the McFaul can sustain speeds in excess of 30 knots. These types of engines, with minor modifications, are also used as propulsion for aircraft. The pitch of her two propellers are controllable, meaning that speed can be adjusted simply by changing the angle of blade bite in the water: in fact, the McFaul can reverse direction entirely without having to re- verse the rotation of her shafts. The ship ' s approximate 350 crewmembers are pro- vided with modem conveniences such as a ship ' s store, a bar- bershop, laundry services, and even vending machines. In addition, McFaul ' s Supply Department orders, stocks, and manages tens of thousands of parts for equipment mainte- nance and repair. A ship-wide television system provides regu- r training — and a wide variety of movies for crewmembers enjoy when they are not working towards their Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification (see ESWS , page 1 6), study- ing for advancement exams, learning the ins and outs of their systems, equipment and procedures, or participating in one of the many ongoing series of Damage Control and Force Pro- tection drills designed to keep the crew at peak readiness for any emergency or attack. The USS McFaul is a Flight II version of the Arleigh Burke-class, meaning that she has no hanger for a helicopter and therefore has no helicopter detachment onboard. How- ever, she regularly lands helicopters on her flight deck (see VERTREP , page 1 5) for the transfer of personnel, cargo, or for refueling purposes. The ship ' s Sonar Suite is also capable of integrated operations with specially-equipped helicopters for the purpose of prosecuting submarines at long distances. For her deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf in 2004, USS McFaul was assigned to the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). The ESG concept marks a bold departure from traditional carrier-oriented battlegroups to smaller, more flexible groups capable of providing compre- hensive protection to the USS Wasp ( LH D- 1 ) and enabling the Wasp to disembark her detachment of over 5000 Marines anywhere in the world. The Ship ' s Emblem Shield - dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the Navy. ' Neptune, god of the sea, embodies mari- , time prowess and swift mobilization. The waves suggest a coastline and underscore Chief McFaul ' s insertion from the sea by rubber raiding craft to block General Noriega ' s escape from Panama. Crest - The cross commemorates the Navy Cross awarded posthumously to Platoon Chief Donald L. McFaul for extraordinary heroism in action under fire. The octagon shape symbolizes the Aegis Combat System and USS McFaul ' s modem multi-mission warfare operations with quick decisive action. The colors and quarterly division are adapted from the Panamanian flag and represent Operation JUST CAUSE in the Republic of Panama. The four sections also allude to SEAL Team FOUR, Chief McFaul ' s SEAL Team. The laurel represents achievement and honor; the palm, which is indigenous to tropical regions, refers to Panama and also symbolizes victory. Supporters: The Naval sword represents USS McFaul and the trident, adapted from the Naval Special War- fare insignia, highlights Chief McFaul ' s SEAL service.