History:
USS CURTIS WILBUR is the
fourth of the most powerful and survivable class of destroyers
ever put to sea. She possesses the AEGIS Weapon System with the
AN/SPY-1D multifunction radar, capable of detecting and engaging
multiple targets; the Vertical Launching System, capable of
storing and rapidly firing 90 missiles; the SQQ-89 Antisubmarine
Warfare System with its SQR-19 towed array sonar and the new
SQS-53C digital hull mounted sonar; the Harpoon anti-ship cruise
missile system; and the Tomahawk land attack cruise missile
system, capable of hitting targets hundreds of miles away.
CURTIS WILBUR also carries improved versions of the 5-inch gun
and the Phalanx Close-in Weapons System. The Arleigh Burke class
destroyers represent a return to all-steel construction and
incorporate electromagnetic pulse hardening, enhanced
firefighting features, and a Collective Protection System to
protect against nuclear, chemical, or biological contamination.
The distribution of vital equipment throughout the ship, and
improved blast and fragmentation protection will help enable the
ship to survive a hit and continue to fight.
Named in honor of the forty-third Secretary of the Navy,
USS CURTIS WILBUR was built by Bath Iron Works, in Bath, Maine.
Her keel was laid 12 March 1991, and she was christened just a
year later, on 16 May 1992. Her maiden voyage began on 14
February 1994, when she set sail for her homeport of San Diego,
California. The voyage included many hours of training for the
crew, including a transit through the Panama Canal. On 19 March
1994, CURTIS WILBUR was commissioned in Long Beach, California.
The Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable John H. Dalton, was the
principal speaker for the ceremony.
During the summer of 1994, CURTIS WILBUR participated in
RIMPAC ‘94, a major multinational exercise involving more
than thirty ships as well as numerous submarines and air assets,
both carrier and land-based. During this exercise, she performed
duties as Air Warfare Commander. Also that summer, the Board of
Inspection and Survey conducted Final Contract Trials to assess
the material status of the ship. CURTIS WILBUR became the first
ship of the class, and only the second ship ever to complete the
examination with zero mission degrading deficiencies. In October
1994, CURTIS WILBUR became the first AEGIS ship to integrate
women into the crew.
CURTIS WILBUR departed on her first WESTPAC deployment on
31 July 1995, transiting the Pacific and heading to the Arabian
Gulf. While deployed with the United States Naval Forces Central
Command, she supported Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILANT
SENTINEL. During 100 days in the theater, the ship served as Air
Warfare Defense Commander, Surface Warfare Defense Commander,
Undersea Warfare Defense Commander, and Strike Warfare
Commander. CURTIS WILBUR was also a member of the FIFTH Fleet
Expeditionary Task Force supporting United Nations sanctions
against Iraq.
In September 1996, CURTIS WILBUR became part of SEVENTH
Fleet, shifting homeport from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan. Upon
arrival in Japan, she successfully completed Tailored Ship’s
Training Availability II and III and was the first ship to
validate the Final Evaluation Period. On 15 February 1997,
CURTIS WILBUR deployed with the USS INDEPENDENCE Battle Group to
participate in exercises TANDEM THRUST ’97 and COBRA GOLD.
CURTIS WILBUR served as the Air Warfare Commander for the battle
group.
Throughout the remainder of 1997, CURTIS WILBUR
participated in numerous Seventh Fleet Exercises, including
JAVELIN MAKER, MISSILEX ’97, ASWEX ’97, HARMEX ’97,
ANNUALEX and COMPTUEX. For her successful year and contributions
to the fleet, CURTIS WILBUR was selected as Destroyer Squadron
Fifteen Battle Efficiency Winner for 1997.
Having earned the “Battle E,” CURTIS WILBUR
continued her trend of excellence well into 1998, participating
in SHAREM 108. While deployed from 17 February 1998 to 19 May
1998, CURTIS WILBUR broke new ground, becoming the first ship of
her class to cross the Great Barrier Reef. During this Southern
Pacific Deployment, CURTIS WILBUR participated in numerous
multinational anti-submarine exercises. After deployment, CURTIS
WILBUR was received in Shimoda, Japan, for the annual Black Ship
Festival. After the festival, CURTIS WILBUR returned to Yokosuka
for her second Selective Restricted Availability (SRA). During
the nine-week shipyard period, CURTIS WILBUR received numerous
upgrades, including JTIDS (Link 16), JMCIS 98, and INMARSAT B.
In the fall of 1998, in addition to beginning the training
cycle, CURTIS WILBUR deployed for the joint and combined
Exercise FOAL Eagle ‘98 with the Republic of Korea Navy and
completed a successful Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification and
Naval Surface Fire Support qualification. During the training
cycle the ship certified the Main Space Fire Drill for ECERT at
TSTA II and had a near flawless performance during ECERT. After
completing her second complete training cycle while forward
deployed, CURTIS WILBUR participated in SHAREM 127 with the
Korean Navy and deployed in March of 1999 with the USS KITTY
HAWK Battle Group.
After completing TANDEM THRUST ’99, an annual
multi-national training exercise, CURTIS WILBUR received
immediate tasking to proceed at best speed en route the Arabian
Gulf. Steaming in company with USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) and USS
CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG-62), CURTIS WILBUR conducted a no-notice
high speed transit and arrived in the Gulf 18 April. Proceeding
directly to the Northern Arabian Gulf, CURTIS WILBUR commenced
operations in support of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH; enforcing the
Southern No-Fly Zone over Iraq and supporting United Nations
Sanctions against Iraq by conducting Maritime Interception
Operations (MIO) as a member of Fifth Fleet. CURTIS WILBUR also
participated in two major exercises while on her second Arabian
Gulf deployment: NAUTICAL SWIMMER ’99, a combined exercise
with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and SHAREM 128, an Undersea
Warfare exercise in the North Arabian Sea. Following port visits
to Bunbury, Australia and Phattaya, Thailand, CURTIS WILBUR
returned to Yokosuka, Japan on 25 August.
Highlights of the recent deployment included CURTIS WILBUR’s
outstanding crew and their continuing achievements. Forty-seven
enlisted Sailors earned the coveted Enlisted Surface Warfare
Specialist qualification, while five officers in the Wardroom
earned their Surface Warfare Officer designation. Additionally,
two First Class Petty Officers earned qualification as Officer
of the Deck for fleet operations, and one earned his
qualification as Engineering Officer of the Watch. Finally,
seven of CURTIS WILBUR’s outstanding First Class Petty
Officers achieved career milestones as they were selected for
promotion to Chief Petty Officer.
In the five years since her Commissioning Ceremony, CURTIS
WILBUR has proven to be an extremely versatile and capable ship.
The men and women that serve in her continue to strive for
excellence in order to meet the new challenges posed by today’s
world. |
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