Name Benfold Ordered 16 January 1991 Commissioned 30 March 1996 Launched 9 November 1994 Draft 9.45 m | Laid down 27 September 1993 Construction started 27 September 1993 Length 154 m Beam 20 m | |
Homeport Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan | ||
Uss benfold spring patrol 2016
USS Benfold (DDG-65) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy.
Contents
- Uss benfold spring patrol 2016
- Take a tour of the destroyer uss benfold 2009 08 02
- Etymology
- History
- Modernization 2011
- Naval exercises 2012
- Modernization 2013
- Deployments
- Commanding officers
- Awards and decorations
- References
Benfold is a multi-mission platform capable of AAW (Anti-Aircraft Warfare) with the powerful AEGIS combat systems suite and anti-aircraft missiles, ASW (Anti-submarine warfare), with towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, ASUW (Anti-surface warfare) with a Harpoon missile launcher, and strategic land strike using Tomahawk missiles. Benfold was one of the first ships fitted with the new AEGIS Ballistic Missile System and during the 2010 Stellar Daggers exercise was the first ship to simultaneously engage a ballistic missile and a cruise missile.
Former Benfold commanding officers include ADM Mark Ferguson, VADM Thomas H. Copeman III, and author Michael Abrashoff.
Take a tour of the destroyer uss benfold 2009 08 02
Etymology
The destroyer's namesake is Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic action on 5 September 1952 while assigned to the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
History
Built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Benfold is the 15th of 76 planned Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. She joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet for service on 30 March 1996.
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer equipped with the AEGIS air-defense system and the Mark-41 Vertical Launch System for multiple types of guided missiles, Benfold is capable of defensive and offensive operations against warplanes, anti-ship missiles, surface ships, submarines, and shore targets. In addition to her missiles, she carries one 5-inch rapid-fire naval gun for action against surface ships and for shore bombardment. She also carries anti-submarine torpedoes, and two Phalanx anti-missile guns. She has a flight deck for MH-60R/S Seahawk Helicopters and is capable of refueling and re-arming these helicopters, but she does not have a hangar for storing and maintaining helicopters.
Modernization 2011
In 2011, Benfold entered drydock at BAE Systems San Diego to receive an extensive $32 million mid-life upgrade. The Hull Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) upgrades included a fully integrated bridge, improved machinery and damage control, quality of life improvements, an advanced galley, and commercial-off-the-shelf computing equipment.
Naval exercises 2012
In 2012, USS Benfold was the first San Diego-based naval ship invited to participate in the Koa Kai naval exercises. Benfold conducted integrated flight operations, anti-surface and anti-submarine training, dynamic ship maneuvers, ballistic missile defense, small boat attacks and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) utilizing the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team.
Modernization 2013
In 2013, USS Benfold underwent extensive combat systems upgrades to include the installation of AEGIS Baseline 9C, Ballistic Missile Defense version 5.0, A(V) 15 SONAR Suite, and also became Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) capable.
Deployments
Commanding officers
The commanding officer (C.O.) of USS Benfold is a commissioned officer of the United States Navy who is the most senior officer on board the ship. The C.O. is the ultimate authority over operations of Benfold and her crew. The current C.O. is Justin L. Harts, who replaced Michele M. Day in November 2015.
Awards and decorations
USS Benfold has been awarded the Navy Battle "E" several times