USS O'Kane

History

USS O'Kane, a Baseline 5.3 Flight II Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is the 27th destroyer of the class and the sixteenth built by Bath Iron Works. O’Kane is the second ship to be commissioned in her home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She was laid down on 8 May 1997 at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, launched on 28 March 1998, christened on 17 April 1998 and commissioned 23 October 1999 under the command of CDR David Hulse in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. O'Kane participated in RIMPAC 2000. O'Kane participated in Fleet Week San Diego in October 2000. In November 2000 CDR Taylor Skardon assumed command. O'Kane deployed on her maiden deployment on 1 August 2001. While on deployment O'Kane conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Northern Persian Gulf during the opening stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor in late January 2002. O'Kane received the Battle "E" award for Destroyer Squadron 31 for 2001. O'Kane also received the Navy Unit Commendation, her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, her first Sea Service Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medals while on her Maiden Deployment.

In September 2002, CDR Michael Viland assumed command. Under his leadership O'Kane completed an accelerated innovative training cycle eight months ahead of schedule with the Carl Vinson Battle Group to be ready for contingency operations. O'Kane was further accelerated and deployed independently, leaving homeport 17 January 2003. Initially O'Kane provided escort to shipping and conducted Operation Enduring Freedom boardings of suspect terrorist vessels, then she rapidly transitioned to combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. O'Kane projected combat power ashore with several salvos of Tomahawk cruise missiles and provided early warning of ballistic missile launches to command centers, Patriot missile batteries, and civil defense forces, supporting a protective umbrella for coalition ground and naval forces. O'Kane then transitioned to providing post hostility maritime security of Iraqi waters. O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor late July 2003. O'Kane was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal for her second deployment. Following post deployment maintenance, O'Kane commenced the basic phase of training for her next deployment.

In February 2004, CDR William Nault assumed command. In February 2005, O'Kane deployed with USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In July, O'Kane returned to her Pearl Harbor homeport after the scheduled deployment which also included Maritime Security Operations (MSO) off the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean.

In July 2006, the guided-missile destroyer departed Pearl Harbor to participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. In September, O'Kane participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Three.

In January 2007, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment with the John C. Stennis group. In February, O'Kane entered the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AoO) to conduct Maritime Security Operations. In August the guided-missile destroyer participated in exercise Valiant Shield 2007. In August, O'Kane returned home after a seven-month deployment.

In April 2008, O'Kane went on a surge deployment with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the western Pacific. In June, O'Kane returned to homeport after a seven-week underway period. In July the guided-missile destroyer participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008.

In February 2009, O'Kane returned to Pearl Harbor homeport after a four-and-a-half month underway period which included ANNUALEX 20G and the defense of Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf. In September, O'Kane departed homeport for a western Pacific deployment. In November the guided-missile destroyer participated in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G. In December, O'Kane returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor after her deployment.

In July 2010, O'Kane departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a Middle East deployment as part of Commander, Task Force-Iraqi Maritime, supporting maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

In February 2011, O'Kane returned home after her seven-month deployment. On 14 April, O'Kane, fired and guided an SM-3 Block IA missile that intercepted the intermediate-range ballistic missile, the 21st successful intercept, in 25 attempts, for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. In November the participated in integrated training exercise "Koa Kai 12-1", off the coast of Hawaii.

On 23 March 2012, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled Middle East deployment with a primary focus on Ballistic Missile Defense operations. In November, O'Kane returned to her homeport in Pearl Harbor after seven-and-a-half month deployment. As of November 2014, her commanding officer was CDR Gina McCaine.

The ship entered Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in February 2015 for an overhaul. A total cost of over $56 million. It ended in February 2016, four days shy of a full year.

On 30 June 2016, CDR Gina McCaine was relieved by CDR Colby Sherwood as Commanding Officer.

Commanding officers

The Commanding Officer (CO) of O'Kane is the most senior officer that is in command of the ship. Sailors will refer to the CO as "the Captain" (regardless of rank), or sometimes informally as "Skipper". Below is the list of commanding officers of O'Kane.

Shield

The shield has background of gold and a blue wave that crosses the middle. In the center is a gold trident. Surrounding the trident is three crosses with a star at the center of each cross.

The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively. The trident at the center of the shield symbolizes the ship's ability to project naval power in hostile environments. The crosses and stars is a reference to the three Navy Crosses and three Silver Stars awarded to Rear Admiral O’Kane, during his Navy career.

Crest

The crest consists of a flaming Naval sword rising from the sea, a reversed star and two dolphins that boarder the crest on each side.

The sword is a symbol that recognizes the naval power displayed by Admiral O’Kane and his crew. The star surrounding the sword is a reference to the Medal of Honor earned by the Rear Admiral for his extraordinary actions at sea. The two dolphins are an allusion to the Rear Admiral’s time as a submariner. The red in the sword and in the boarder of the motto stands for O’Kane’s valor and sacrifice, during his time as a prisoner of war in two Japanese Camps during WWII.

Motto

The motto is written on a scroll of blue that has a red reverse side.

The ships motto is "A Tradition of Honor". The motto is a reference to both the honorable feats of Admiral O'Kane and the Medal of Honor he received.

Seal

The seal consists of the ship’s shield, crest, and motto; all of which is surrounded by a dark blue oval with a gold rope boarder. The ship’s name is inscribed at the top of the oval, while the ship’s hull number sits at the bottom.