Has anybody around here recently served on the USS Winston Churchill?
The mission of the USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG-81) is to be prepared to conduct prompt combat operations at sea. DDG-81 is equipped to operate in a high density, multi-threat environment either independantly or as an integral member of a Carrier Battle Group or a Surface Action Group. In addition to self-defense capabilities in Air Warfare (AW), Surface Warfare (SW), and Undersea Warfare (USW), WINSTON S. CHURCHILL can effectively provide local area protection to other ships in a battle group. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL is the most sophisticated and capable surface combatante ever built. DDG-81 employs an AN/SPY-1D phased array radar, which incorporates significant advances in the detection capabilities of the AEGIS Weapon System, particularly in resistance to enemy electronic countermeasure (ECM). Using the SPY-1D and the MK 99 Fire Control System, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL can guide vertically launched missiles at extended ranges. To provide point defense against hostile air targets, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL is equipped with the PHALANX Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).
Propelled by four, quick response General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbine Engines couple with two Controllable Pitch propellers, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL has tremendous maneuverability and a top speek of 31 knots. Three Allison 501k Gas Turbine Generators provide the ship with up to 7500kw of electrical power to the ship. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL can make up to 24,000 gallons of fresh potable water through two revers osmosis distillers per day. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL matches maximum survivability with her potent offensive capability. All steel construction is used in the ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyer. Extensive topside armoris placed around all vital combat systems and machinery spaces while the larger plane area hull form significantly improves sea keeping ability. Acoustic, infrared and radar signatures are reduced and vital shipboard systems have been hardened against chemical, biological and radilogical agents. State-of-the art propulsion and damage control systems are managed by Fiber Optics Data Multiplexing Systems (FODMS) with built-in redundancy for increased survivability.
Home to a crew of more than 25 officers, 28 Chief Petty Officers, and 300 sailors, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL offers most services associated with a small town, including dining, banking, ATM, laundry, postal, barber, two fitness centers, library resources and shopping facilities while maintaining more than 10,000 spare parts. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL is a powerful weapon, capable of staying at sea for months at a time. The best technology combined with an outstanding crew makes WINSTON S. CHURCHILL the premier warship designed to carry out the U.S. Navy's mission today and well into the 21st century.
Cool, a few hours ago, out in the middle of some distant ocean, my cousin, Christopher Stone, became the new Commanding Officer of the USS Winston Churchill. He's a U.S. Naval Academy graduate from 18 years ago and this will be his first command! I'm very proud and happy for him.
Congrats to your Cousin. I wish him fair winds and following seas.
Being a CO is not an easy task.
Yeah, I agree, but he is super excited. He feels like his past 18 years has been leading him to today.
Last night he was invited down to meet and have dinner with the Chief Petty Officer's Mess. He said the meeting went great! Energy on the deckplates is HIGH!
When I was in the Navy I spent 5 years working at CSEDS (Combat Systems Engineering Development Site) in Moorestown, NJ. This was the RCA owned site that developed the Aegis Combat System from the AN/SPY-1A phase arrayed radar on Ticonderoga class cruisers to the AN/SPY-1D on Arleigh Burke class destroyers. I was the second sailor assigned to the site and I trained the officers and crew on operation and maintenance of the ACS all the way through CG-54 before pre-com on the USS Bunker Hill CG-52 as an FCCS. This is an incredibly impressive combat system employing the most sophisticated technology in the world. I was incredibly proud as your cousin should be. Thanks for sharing!
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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
Well I keep waiting for the Mass Communication Specialist for the ship to update the ship's website or Facebook page to reflect the change in command, but nothing so far. I guess I'll continue to hurry up and wait! There's some things about the Navy that I don't miss!
EDIT: Looks like he posted something on the ship's Facebook page..
Friends and Family of USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL,
On 16 August 2012, I relieved CDR Michael Hutchens as Commanding Officer of USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81). First, I want to sincerely thank CDR Hutchens and his wife Amy for their service. CDR Hutchens has built an exceptional team that is widely regarded on the waterfront as among the best of the best. It is no small feat that CHURCHILL has earned two successive Battle Efficiency awards, awarded to the very best ships in the Destroyer Squadron each year.
I am sincerely honored and privileged to SERVE as Commanding Officer of WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. I highlight the word serve for a distinct purpose. For generations my family has been guided by a calling to serve and protect our great nation. From my grandfather that served as a Gunner’s Mate during World War II, at one point being the lone survivor in his gun mount from a Japanese kamikaze attack, to my grandmother that helped bu... ild the industrial machine that allowed us to prevail in World War II, my grandfather that served for many years as a Deputy Sheriff and Constable in towns across Texas, my great uncle that made the ultimate sacrifice protecting his fellow Marines on Chosin Reservoir, my uncle that proudly served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy of the 60’s and 70’s, to my father that dedicated his life to serving and protecting as a Dallas Police Officer and twice as Chief of Police, service is perhaps the distinguishing characteristic that has made me into the Officer I am today. My hope is that I will honor their legacy by forging your sons and daughters, husbands and wives into the future leaders of our Navy and nation.
I fully recognize that our profession is not without sacrifice. As trying as our job at sea may be some days, it is even more challenging for our loved ones at home that must carry on as we deploy to fulfill our mission. I thank you for what you do day in and day out to allow us execute the mission of WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Your support means everything to us! The days and months of separation, the missed birthdays, holidays and anniversaries are only bearable with your understanding that we serve to enable the many freedoms that our nation enjoys. Family is vitally important to me and I will do my best to ensure that we communicate with you on a regular basis, as our schedule permits.
Once again, it is an honor to serve as Commanding Officer of this great warship, manned by an exceptionally talented group of Sailors. I look forward to leading them in the months to come and meeting each of you upon our return to Norfolk.
With respect,
CDR Chris Stone
Commanding Officer
USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81)
That was it, Mark. Later called the Cornfield Cruiser after the Aegis superstructure was added.
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1966 GT350 clone w/Boss 347 and TKO 600
1966 Bronco w/289 and 3 speed
1967 Mustang convertible rust bucket (soon to be GT350 clone)
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
Everytime there is CO change, the crew is in high spirits......but just as with any change, there is a honey moon period. Then when that is over.......well......hopefully the Chief's Mess are filled with leaders and not followers. The crew feeds off them.
Friday, August 17th--Not to steal this thread but I noticed you said "boat" instead of "ship". Were you a submarine guy? Me too! USS Sea Cat (SS 399) out of Key West, the remains of which I'm sure I shaved with this morning. Good times, I loved those old Fleet Snorkel boats. Oops! I just dated myself.
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Friday, August 17th--Not to steal this thread but I noticed you said "boat" instead of "ship". Were you a submarine guy? Me too! USS Sea Cat (SS 399) out of Key West, the remains of which I'm sure I shaved with this morning. Good times, I loved those old Fleet Snorkel boats. Oops! I just dated myself.
A very short time on Pickerel ss-524 after I was retrained / reassigned.
There - I dated myself too!!!
I'm sure that old boat is part of a reef somewhere...
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A very short time on Pickerel ss-524 after I was retrained / reassigned.
There - I dated myself too!!!
I'm sure that old boat is part of a reef somewhere...
according to wiki she was sold to the Italian Navy in 1981 haven't found anything about her since. She must have been fairly old when you served aboard as her keel was laid in 44
Just received cool change of command photos from the other side of the world!
Winston Churchill Color Guard
Winston Churchill Chiefs Mess
GULF OF ADEN (August 16, 2012)- Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone shakes the hand of Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Scott P. Odell after Odell pinned the command pin onto Stone during a change of command ceremony. Stone assumed command from Cmdr. Michael E. Hutchens (far left) during the ceremony.
GULF OF ADEN (August 16, 2012)- Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone (left) and Cmdr. Michael E. Hutchens (right) cut a celebratory cake following a change-of-command ceremony aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Stone assumed command from Hutchens during the ceremony. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released) USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)
GULF OF ADEN (August 16, 2012)-Cmdr. Michael E. Hutchens and Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone salute as Stone assumes command of the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) during a change-of-command ceremony. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)
what an honor!!! Please thank him for everything he is doing!
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GULF OF ADEN (August 16, 2012)- Cmdr. Michael E. Hutchens accepts a wooden plaque commemorating his leadership aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) from Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Myla C. Presco on behalf of Churchill's chief petty officers' mess. Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone assumed command of Churchill from Cmdr. Hutchens during a change of command ceremony aboard Churchill's flight deck. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)
Congrats to your cousin Joe! That's a huge accomplishment! Most of us can't imagine the scope of responsibilities these CO's have.
I too have some proud Navy moments. My son Chris graduated the USNA on 29 May, ranked #30 in his class of 1099. I have to say that after getting to know these young men and women at the USNA and our other service academies, one comes away with a renewed sense that our country is in good hands for the future.
Ensign Chris Paulson is seen below with his mom and I just after pinning his ensign shoulder boards for the first time. You old bubbleheads out there will be pleased to know he will be joining the fleet as a submarine officer hopefully on the new Virginia class fast attacks.
Please help Chris and his sailors win a challenge!! WINSTON S CHURCHILL (DDG-81) needs 15,000 likes to their official FB page in the next two weeks!!! They are on their way, but they need the help of friends and family! Please like the USS WINSTON S CHURCHILL DDG 81 page (with the ship's crest on it) today and show your support!!
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Hello Big-Foot!
Oops! I just dated myself.
Hahaha
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