USS Farragut (DDG-99)

USS Farragut (DDG-99) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The vessel is named for David Farragut, the first Admiral of the U.S. Navy and a hero of the American Civil War. Commissioned in 2005, the destroyer serves as a multi-mission platform capable of conducting air warfare, surface warfare, and submarine warfare operations as part of carrier and expeditionary strike groups.

Design and description

USS Farragut is a Flight IIA variant of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, constructed by Bath Iron Works in Maine. The ship's design incorporates the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar, providing integrated capabilities for tracking and engaging multiple airborne, surface, and subsurface threats. Key armament includes the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System for Standard and Tomahawk missiles, a 5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun, close-in defense systems like the Phalanx CIWS, and embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The Flight IIA design introduced a helicopter hangar and facilities to support two LAMPS helicopters, significantly enhancing the ship's anti-submarine warfare and surface search capabilities.

Construction and career

The contract for DDG-99 was awarded on 6 March 1998, and its keel was laid down at the Bath Iron Works shipyard on 9 January 2002. The ship was launched on 19 July 2003, sponsored by Mrs. Annette Conway, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark. USS Farragut was commissioned into the United States Atlantic Fleet on 10 June 2005 during a ceremony at its initial homeport of Naval Station Mayport in Florida. The principal speaker at the commissioning was Senator Susan Collins of Maine.

Service history

Following commissioning, Farragut completed extensive training and certifications, including Composite Training Unit Exercises, before deploying with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in 2006 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa. In 2009, the destroyer deployed with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, conducting maritime security operations and participating in exercises with allies like the Royal Navy. A 2012 deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group included operations in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. In 2015, Farragut was part of a historic U.S. Southern Command counter-illicit trafficking patrol that resulted in the first U.S. Navy Venezuelan drug interdiction in over a decade. More recent deployments have included operations in the Baltic Sea with NATO allies and participation in major exercises like Joint Warrior and BALTOPS.

Awards and recognition

Throughout its service, USS Farragut has been recognized with numerous unit awards. These include the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and multiple Battle "E" awards for battle efficiency. The ship and its crew have also earned campaign and service medals for participation in global operations, including the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal. The destroyer's motto, "Damn the Torpedoes!", honors the famous command of its namesake, David Farragut, at the Battle of Mobile Bay. Category:Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Category:Ships built in Maine Category:2005 ships