Namesake Russell R. Waesche Laid down September 11, 2006 Construction started 11 September 2006 Length 127 m Endurance 2 months | Ordered January 2001 Commissioned May 7, 2010 Launched 12 July 2008 Beam 16 m Builder Newport News Shipbuilding | |
Sponsored by Marilla Waesche Pivonka Motto "Strength Endurance Service" | ||
USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751) is the second Legend-class National Security Cutter of the United States Coast Guard.
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Namesake
Waesche is named for Coast Guard Admiral Russell R. Waesche (1886–1946). Waesche graduated from the United States Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction in 1906, was commissioned an ensign, and then served with distinction in a succession of diverse and increasingly responsible Coast Guard assignments at sea and ashore. He served as Commandant of the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1945 during a tumultuous and eventful period in the life of the service, and was the first Coast Guardsman to achieve the rank of admiral.
History
Construction began in 2006 by Northrop Grumman's Ship System Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
On November 6, 2009 the Coast Guard took delivery of the Waesche. She arrived at her homeport at Coast Guard Island, Alameda, California on February 28, 2010 and was commissioned on May 7, 2010. In 2012 Waesche became the 2nd U.S. surface combatant and the first Coast Guard cutter to use the Phalanx CIWS to defeat a unmanned aerial vehicle with a low, slow flying aircraft profile.