Ordered 13 September 2002 Christened 17 April 2010 Construction started 16 September 2008 Length 155 m Displacement 8.346 million kg | Laid down 16 September 2008 Commissioned 4 June 2011 Launched 15 December 2009 Weight 9,348 tons Builder Ingalls Shipbuilding | |
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Name USS William P. Lawrence Namesake Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence | ||
Uss william p lawrence gets underway as part of great green fleet
USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. She is the 60th ship in her class and is currently in service. In 2016 the ship is part of Destroyer Squadron 21.
Contents
- Uss william p lawrence gets underway as part of great green fleet
- Etymology
- Construction and career
- Deployments
- Commanding officers
- References
Etymology
The ship is named for Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence (1930–2005), a naval aviator, fighter pilot, test pilot, Mercury astronaut finalist, Vietnam War prisoner of war, a U.S. Third Fleet commander, a Chief of Naval Personnel, and a Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Construction and career
William P. Lawrence's keel was laid down on 16 September 2008, at the Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. William P. Lawrence was launched on 15 December 2009, and was christened on 17 April 2010, sponsored by Vice Admiral Lawrence's widow, Diane Lawrence, and his daughters, Dr. Laurie Lawrence and Captain Wendy Lawrence (USN Ret, and former shuttle astronaut). Lawrence's plankowning captain is CDR Thomas R. Williams, II. The ship was commissioned at the Port of Mobile, Alabama on 4 June 2011. William P. Lawrence departed Naval Station San Diego, California, on 14 January 2013 for its first overseas deployment as part of a four-ship surface action group from Carrier Strike Group 11.
On 1 March 2013, William P. Lawrence entered the Persian Gulf for operations with Carrier Strike Group 3. On 11 March 2013, the ship rendered assistance to a burning vessel while operating in the Strait of Hormuz. In April 2013, on two separate occasions, William P. Lawrence joined the French frigate Montcalm in rendering assistance to civilian mariners in distress while operating in the Gulf of Oman as part of Combined Task Force 150. Starting 2 September 2013, William P. Lawrence began operating in the Red Sea as part of Carrier Strike Group 11.
On 22 September 2013, a helicopter operating from William P. Lawrence crashed in the Red Sea after being swept overboard from the helo deck by waves. Three of the five crewmembers of the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter were recovered; two died.
On 10 May 2016, it was reported that William P. Lawrence had tested the People's Republic of China's claim to Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea by navigating within 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) of it, provoking the PRC's official "dissatisfaction and opposition". This was part of a planned series of Freedom of navigation operations (also referred to as FONOPs) in the area.
Deployments
Commanding officers
The commanding officer (C.O.) of USS William P. Lawrence is a United States Navy commissioned officer who is the most senior officer on the ship. The C.O. is the ultimate authority over operations of William P. Lawrence and her crew.