McFaul (DDG 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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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rr Chief Engineman (SEAL AW) Donal USS McFaul (DDG-74) is named after Engineman Chief Petty Officer Donald McFaul. Chief McFaul was born on September 20, 1 957 in Orange County, California. He graduated from Bend Senior High School in Bend, Oregon in 1 974. He enlisted in the Navy after high school and was assigned to Naval Station Treasure Island after recruit training. He worked there as an engine specialist until 1 977, when he volunteered for and was selected to join the Naval Special Warfare Community. ' i He underwent Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training, in Class 95, in the s i of 1978. Chief McFaul was assigned to SEAL Team ONE where he made three deploy- ments in support of special operations out of Subic Bay, the Phillippines. He was subsequently assigned to Naval Special Warfare Unit ONE, U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay in 1983. In 1985, Donald McFaul the SEAL became Donald McFaul the civilian, trying his hand at engine repair and spending relaxing days fishing in Seattle, Washington and Kodiak, Alaska. Missing the challenge and excitement of the SEAL teams, Donald McFaul returned to the Naval Special Wafare Community. He attended the Defense Language Institute for Spanish in Monterey, California, where he met his wife, Patricia. In February of 1 988, Chief McFaul was assigned to SEAL Team FOUR. Shortly after reporting, Donald and Patricia were married. While a member of SEAL Team FOUR, Chief McFaul de- ployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Middle East Forces and later deployed to Naval Special Warfare Unit EIGHT at Naval Sta- tion Rodman, Republic of Panama. His final deployment was as Platoon Chief of GOLF Platoon on December 1 8, 1989; on December 20, he was killed in action during combat operations. His awards include the Navy Achivement Medal with Gold Star, Navy Unit Citation, and Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross. Chief McFaul (back row. third from right) chief McFaul is surv i V ed by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Megan; mother, Shirley Lee of Washington; brothers, Michael McFaul, J.R. Schooley, Duane Schooley, Jr., and sisters, Debbie Baker, Candy Nelson and Karie Tart. ., Vv ■ •+ ' t • . .AVY CROSS CITATION action while serving as Platoon Chief Petty Office JR, GOLF Platoon during Operation JUST CAUSE at Paitilla Airfield, Republi of Panama on 20 December 1 989. Chief Petty Officer McFaul ' s platoon was an element of Naval Special Warfare Tas Unit PAPA, whose crucial mission was to deny to General Noriega and his associates the use of Patilla Airfield as a avenue of escape from Panama. After inserting by rubber raiding craft, GOLF platoon was patrolling toward thei objective, a hangar housing General Noriega ' s aircraft, when they were engaged by heavy small arms fire. Realizing tha most of the first squad, 25 meters north of his position, had been wounded, he left the relative safety of his own position ii order to assist the wounded lying helplessly exposed. Under heavy fire with total disregard for his personal safety, Chie Petty Officer McFaul moved forward into the kill zone and began carrying a seriously wounded platoon member to safety. As he was nearing the safety of his force ' s perimeter, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Chief Petty Office) McFaul ' s heroic action and courage under fire saved his teammate ' s life and were an inspiration for other acts of heroisn as the assault force prevailed in this decisive battle. By his extraordinary bravery, personal sacrifice, and inspiring devotior to duty, Chief Petty Officer McFaul reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Unitec States Naval Service.