Last modified Wed., June 14, 2006 - 04:04 PM
Originally created Thursday, June 15, 2006

Crew Commissions: USS Farragut

By JO1 Sonja Chambers, Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Seaman Apprentice Jonathan Golden, left, ''mans the ship,'' officially bringing the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99), to life during her commissioning ceremony. The ship's name honors Adm. David Glasgow Farragut. In 1864, Farragut rallied his men to victory, shouting: ''Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!'' Farragut led his naval forces on to win the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Photo by PH1 Shawn P. Eklund

The crew of USS Farragut (DDG 99) commissioned its new Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer during a ceremony Saturday at NS Mayport.

Attending the traditional Navy ceremony was Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, Florida Senator Mel Martinez, Maine Senator Susan Collins, Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and other shipbuilding and Navy officials.

Peyton welcomed the Farragut crew to Jacksonville and gave a key to the city to Cmdr. Deidre L. McLay, USS Farragut Commanding Officer.

Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, Deputy Director Surface Warfare Division Office of Chief of Naval Operations, congratulated the crew for their hard work on readying the ship for the Fleet.

''Farragut Destroyer men, you are at the pinnacle of success on the newest warship in the world's best Navy,'' he said.

Martinez, the ceremony's principal speaker, welcomed the crew to Florida and praised their dedication.

''USS Farragut is an incredible ship. It's soon to be the pride of the Fleet,'' he said. ''The crew heartily represents the motto ''Prepared for Battle.''

Naval Station Mayport Color Guard presents the colors during the commissioning.
Photo by PH2(SW) Scott Phillips

The final steps in getting the ship ''Prepared for Battle'' started off with Winter placing the ship in commission. Colors were raised, and McLay read her orders.

After the First Watch was set, Collins, the ship's sponsor, gave the order to ''Man our ship and bring her to life!''

The crew ran on board to applause and shouts from the crowd, which included former crew members of USS Farragut (DDG 37) that decommissioned in 1989.

To mark the end of the crew's pre-commissioning journey, sirens began wailing and the MK45 Mod 4 5''/62 caliber gun took aim while shots fired from the MK99 Mod 3 Fire Control System. This received heightened applause from the more than 3,000 people in the crowd.

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter speaks to more than 3,000 guests and plankowners during the commissioning ceremony.
Photo by PH2(SW) Scott Phillips

McLay reported for duty and remarked what a privilege it was to be Captain of Farragut. She also thanked all the friends and family that lent their support to Farragut's crew during the pre-commissioning process.

''This day is the culmination of many long hours and the efforts of many people, and it promises to be a memorable day for all. We could not have reached this milestone without the strong support and encouragement from all of you,'' she said.

''It was great to see all the hard work of pre-commissioning pay off,'' said ENC(SW) Gibson Greene, leading chief petty officer of Farragut's EA Division. ''We've got a great ship.''