USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53)
 USS John Paul Jones in the Persian Gulf
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 US | |
| Name | USS John Paul Jones |
| Namesake | John Paul Jones |
| Ordered | 25 September 1987 |
| Awarded | 25 September 1987 |
| Builder | Bath Iron Works |
| Laid down | 8 August 1990 |
| Launched | 26 October 1991 |
| Commissioned | 18 December 1993 |
| Homeport | Naval Base San Diego |
| Motto | In Harm's Way |
| Status | in active service |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Arleigh Burke class destroyer |
| Type | Destroyer |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 505 ft (154 m) |
| Beam | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Draft | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
| Propulsion | 2 × shafts |
| Speed | In excess of 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range | 4,400 nmi (8,100 km; 5,100 mi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement | |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1 × Sikorsky MH-60R |
USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) is the third Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer and the first ship of the class homeported on the west coast. She is named after American Revolutionary War Captain John Paul Jones. She was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine. The ship is currently part of Destroyer Squadron 23, and adminstratively reports to Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific.
Description
John Paul Jones is capable of operating independently, as an element of a coordinated force, or as the nucleus of a surface action group, and to direct and coordinate anti-air, surface, undersea, and strike warfare operations. The ship is named in honor of Naval hero John Paul Jones and derives her motto from a famous quote of his, "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way."[4]
In order to successfully conduct this mission, John Paul Jones has been fitted with the latest weapons, engineering, and damage control systems. The Aegis combat system is one of the most advanced and most capable air defense systems currently in use. John Paul Jones is capable of conducting both offensive and defensive operations using Tomahawk and RGM-84 Harpoon cruise missiles, RIM-66 Standard missiles, CIWS, and 5 inch (127 mm) gun. The Arleigh Burke Class is the first class of U.S. warships to be fitted with an integrated Chemical, Biological and Radiological defense system.[4]
John Paul Jones was selected as the Shock Trial platform for the DDG-51 Class. The ship was subjected to a series of close range explosions in order for the Navy to obtain critical information concerning the survivability of the DDG-51 class in a shock environment. The crew prepared the ship for the most demanding and complex surface ship shock trial test in the history of the Navy. The ship has completed four deployments to the Persian Gulf.[4]
On 20 September 1995, an F-14A Tomcat crashed in the vicinity of John Paul Jones. A fly-by at transonic speed was performed, during which the engine exploded (due to "compression failure") 55 miles away from the carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln. Both pilot and Weapons Systems Operator ejected and survived with only minor burns.[5]
On 7 October 2001, John Paul Jones launched the first Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.[6]
On 13 March 2006, John Paul Jones was named, along with the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, an honorary flagship for the upcoming search for the remains of the original USS Bonhomme Richard (1765).[4]
On 10 June 2011, she anchored off the coast of Malibu, California at the beginning of a three day celebration called Navy Days designed to thank the sailors and their families for their service to the country.[7]
On 29 November 2011, John Paul Jones was the first ship to deploy after receiving the DDGMOD upgrade.[8]
In popular culture
The ship was featured prominently in the 2012 film Battleship where she was shown to destroy three alien craft before being sunk.[9]
References
This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
- ^ "Mk46 MOD 1 Optical Sight System". Kollmorgen. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Rockwell, David (12 July 2017). "The Kollmorgen/L-3 KEO Legacy". Teal Group. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ Hart, Jackie (17 December 2023). "Decoy Launch System Installed Aboard USS Ramage". navy.mil. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d US Navy. USS John Paul Jones History.
- ^ Ejection History. Ejection History. Retrieved on 12 May 2012.
- ^ John Paul Jones Remembers 9/11 While Maintaining Vigilance at Sea. Navy.mil. Retrieved on 12 May 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Navy destroyer docks in Malibu for three-day celebration". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
- ^ "First DDG Modernization Warship Departs on Deployment." Navy News Service, 6 December 2011.
- ^ Yahoo! Movies - Battleship
External links
- US Navy: USS John Paul Jones Official Website