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USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)

USS ARLEIGH BURKE is the lead ship of the ARLEIGH BURKE class of guided missile destroyers and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name. USS ARLEIGH BURKE was the first US Navy ship designed to incorporate shaping techniques to reduce radar cross-section to reduce their detectability and likelihood of being targeted by enemy weapons and sensors. Originally designed to defend against Soviet aircraft, cruise missiles, and nuclear attack submarines, this higher capability ship is to be used in high-threat areas to conduct antiair, antisubmarine, antisurface, and strike operations.

General Characteristics:Keel Laid: December 6, 1988
Launched: September 16, 1989
Commissioned: July 4, 1991
Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
Propellers: two
Blades on each Propeller: five
Length: 505,25 feet (154 meters)
Beam: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
Draft: 30,5 feet (9.3 meters)
Displacement: approx. 8.300 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Aircraft: None. But LAMPS 3 electronics installed on landing deck for coordinated DDG/helicopter ASW operations.
Armament: two MK 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk; Harpoon missile launchers, one Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun, one Phalanx CIWS, one SeaRAM system, Mk 46 torpedoes (from two triple tube mounts), two Mk 38 Mod 2 25mm machine gun systems
Homeport: Rota, Spain
Crew: 23 Officers, 24 Chief Petty Officers and 291 Enlisted


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS ARLEIGH BURKE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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USS ARLEIGH BURKE Cruise Books:


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The Shield outlined in blue and gold stands for the outstanding achievements in battle of Admiral Burke against the naval power of Japan, a formidable foe. The fist and mace symbolize the offensive and defensive power of the new destroyer. The mace, also a symbol of authority, represents Admiral Burke's outstanding service as Chief of Naval Operations. It also refers to Admiral Marc Mitscher, an influential figure and mentor for whom Admiral Burke served as Chief of Staff. Admiral Burke's Destroyer Squadron 23, represented by the border of 23 ovals, was the only United States Destroyer Squadron awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, signified by the canton of blue, yellow, and red. The ovals also refer to the year 1923 in which Midshipman Burke was graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Twenty-three also reflects Admiral Burke's distinguished service on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as(OP-23).

The Crest:

The mounted figure of St. George recalls Admiral Burke's celebrated victory in the Battle of Cape St. George over Japanese naval forces. His mantle bears a gold cross for the Navy Cross awarded to the Admiral. The birch branch on the helmet represents Admiral Burke himself, a reference to his name derived from his Scandinavian heritage.

The red sea dragon symbolizes Japanese naval power assaulted by forces under Captain Burke's command. It is gorged with the two gold stars he was awarded for outstanding service. The lance impaling the dragon signifies ordnance on target. The capabilities of the new destroyer, the most powerful and survivable ever built, are signified by the full armor and equipment of the warrior St. George. The Admiral's nickname "31-Knot Burke" is recalled by the number 31 on the horses'.


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History of USS ARLEIGH BURKE:

The USS ARLEIGH BURKE is the first ship of the AEGIS destroyer class, it was commissioned on the Fourth of July 1991. This ship was designed to take advantage of evolving technology while reducing ship construction costs. The AEGIS cruiser was too expensive to continue building and too difficult to backfit with new technologies.

Even before the ARLEIGH BURKE destroyer was completely built, Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force was involved in the initial phases of testing. New systems, operated by fleet sailors ashore, were examined at land-based test facilities. The combat system test took place at the Combat System Engineering Development Site in Moorestown, New Jersey. The propulsion plant test occurred at the Gas Turbine Ship Land-Based Engineering Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These test results supported the acquisition decision to begin limited production of the ship class.

After commissioning, USS ARLEIGH BURKE hosted follow-on at-sea operational testing throughout 1992. This test revealed engineering problems that required resolution by the design and production groups. An additional phase of testing was added to retest the engineering solutions to those problems.

On March 11, 1993, ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk, Va., on her maiden deployment. Assigned to the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) Battle Group, the ship operated in the Adriatic Sea supporting Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise and after her first Suez Canal transit, ARLEIGH BURKE headed for the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. The ship returned home to Norfolk, Va., on September 8, 1993.

ARLEIGH BURKE's second deployment commenced on March 22, 1995. Again assigned to the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) Battle Group, the ship visited Turkey and Greece in April and subsequently participated in Exercise Distant Thunder. Following the exercise, ARLEIGH BURKE proceeded to the Adriatic Sea for two weeks of operations before visiting Corfu, Greece, in mid-May. After a 3-day port visit to Rota, Spain, June 8-11, the ship participated in Exercise Tapon with the Spanish Navy before arriving at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on June 23. ARLEIGH BURKE visited Naples, Italy (June 28-July 5), Gibraltar (July 12-15) and Toulon, France (July 17-24) before heading for the Adriatic Sea serving as "Red Crown" in support of the No-Fly Zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. After a port visit to Catania, Italy, she participated in Operation Deliberate Force August 20-31 before returning to Naval Station Norfolk on September 19, 1995.

USS ARLEIGH BURKE entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp. shipyard for a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) on November 6. After completion in early February 1996, the ship conducted sea trials and subsequently engaged in activities along the East Coast including St. Patrick's Day in Boston, Mass., in mid-March and Fleet Week New York in late May. The ship participated in Exercise Marcot '96 with the Canadian Navy in June and after a visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 27-29, returned to Norfolk.

On August 13, 1996, ARLEIGH BURKE departed her homeport for a 7-week underway period in the northern Atlantic. After visiting Halifax and Reykjavik, Iceland, she participated in Exercise Northern Light/Bright Horizon before pulling into Kingston upon Hull, England. On September 1, 1996, the ship crossed the Arctic Circle, earning all embarked the designation of a "Blue Nose".

After the completion of the deployment, ARLEIGH BURKE completed the Engineering Mid-Cycle Assessment (MCA) and was declared capable to conduct sustained engineering operations safely and efficiently. Following the MCA, the ship was tasked to serve as a test platform for the Multi-Sensor Torpedo Recognition and Alertment Processor (MSTRAP). This developmental ASW equipment was tested onboard ARLEIGH BURKE through a complex series of static tests and over eight live firing exercises using SSN launched MK 48 and British Spearfish torpedoes. Test and evaluation of the MSTRAP system would continue throughout 1996.

On December 7, the ship acted as opposition force for the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) Battle Group's COMPTUEX and conducted its last tactical exercise of the year. Simulating a MEKO destroyer, ARLEIGH BURKE utilized the stealthy characteristics inherent in the ships design and single handedly achieved "kills" on numerous JFK Battle Group ships. ARLEIGH BURKE completed 1996 with three successful days on the Vieques NSFS range providing spotter services for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and qualifying for NSFS FIREX I. While on station, the ship fired over 350 rounds over a three day period from MT 51 and achieved a final qualification score of 101.2%.

1997 began as ARLEIGH BURKE's Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) Survey kicked off on January 6 and finally concluded on January 8 with a successful outbrief. Although this survey began during the holiday leave and standdown period, the ship came through in fine fashion. ARLEIGH BURKE's focus shifted slightly toward completing the Command Assessment Readiness for Training (CART) 1 from January 13 until 17. The ensuing two weeks were devoted to improving and correcting those deficiencies identified during CART 1 and on January 31, ARLEIGH BURKE was enroute to the AUTEC range in the Caribbean. The thrust of this tasking was for the testing and evaluation of the Multi-Sensor Torpedo Recognition and Alertment Processing (MSTRAP) system. After a highly successful three days of rigorous tests and evaluations from both ARLEIGH BURKE and AUTEC staff, the ship headed to Nassau, Bahamas for a much needed port visit.

Upon returning to Norfolk, Virginia, the ship moved into preparations for the first of three Pre-Light Off Training (PLOT) periods with the Atlantic Fleet's Engineering Training Group (ETG). Four days after PLOT 1 assessment, a safety standdown was held for the entire Norfolk waterfront on February 25. The second week of March found ARLEIGH BURKE headed to Naval Weapons Station at Yorktown, Va., for a pre-availability offload of ordnance. The ship embarked over 75 guests of the crew on March 12 for the transit back to Norfolk and the first Family Day Cruise of 1997.

A week later ARLEIGH BURKE "deadsticked" her way up the Elizabeth River to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard (NNSY) for an intense Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA) for the next thirteen weeks. During the third week of April and second week of May, ETG came aboard for PLOT 2 and PLOT 3, respectively.

In preparation for departing NNSY, the second fast cruise of 1997 validated the underway watchbill and provided an opportunity to shakedown energized and online equipment. June 12 was the big day for the engineers as ETG certified ARLEIGH BURKE to light off her engineering plant and get underway for training. Exactly one week after receiving the permission to light off from COMDESRON TWO, ARLEIGH BURKE slipped out of her berth at NNSY to sea for three days of post-ESRA sea trials. Upon returning to Naval Station Norfolk and a brief inport period, the ship again made the trip to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, this time for a postavailability onload of ordnance.

1998 saw the ARLEIGH BURKE deploying to the Mediterranean again. She left Norfolk on her third deployment in May and operations were also conducted in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The ship returned home to the East Coast in October.

On November 28, 2000, USS ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk on her fourth deployment to the Mediterranean as an element of the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) Battle Group. After operations in the Mediterranean, the year began with the ship transiting the Suez Canal on its journey to the Arabian Gulf. By January 9, the ARLEIGH BURKE had transited the Straits of Hormuz, entering the Persian Gulf, where the ship would remain through mid-April. After a brief port call in Bahrain on January 11, the ARLEIGH BURKE returned to sea ready to assume all tasks. The ARLEIGH BURKE's primary mission while in the Arabian Gulf was to conduct Maritime Interception Operations (MIO), enforcing United Nations sanctions imposed on Iraq.

After the port call in Bahrain on January 31, the ARLEIGH BURKE recommenced Maritime Interception Operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf. During early February ARLEIGH BURKE was designated as the Air Warfare Commander for the North Arabian Gulf. After three days in Bahrain from February 14-17, the ship headed back to sea acting as Air Defense Commander (XC) for Commander Task Force Fifty, USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) Battle Group Battle Group. In addition to the XC duties, the ARLEIGH BURKE coordinated five, single ship Undersea Warfare (USW) exercises with USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN 757).

A port call to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on March 17 was a welcome change for the ARLEIGH BURKE sailors. The ship participated in the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) while in port. Leaving Abu Dhabi on March 22, the ARLEIGH BURKE pulled into Bahrain the next day for another port call. On March 27 the ship was underway again, joining navies from eleven allied nations in the multi-national exercise Arabian Gauntlet 2001 which lasted until April 2. In addition to the Arabian Gauntlet 2001 Exercise, the ARLEIGH BURKE rescued an Iranian fisherman, diagnosed with acute appendicitis, provided him medical attention, and had him flown to the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN. After completion on the Arabian Gauntlet 2001 Exercise, ARLEIGH BURKE returned for another port visit to Bahrain on April 3-4. By April 5, the ARLEIGH BURKE had resumed her MI0 duties in the North Arabian Gulf for the last time. During the MI0 operations since January, the ship had conducted over 200 queries, 26 boardings, and diverted three vessels with no safety incidents. The ARLEIGH BURKE next exited the Persian Gulf through the Straits of Hormuz. April 15, the ship passed through the Suez Canal and joined the Sixth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). The next port call for the ARLEIGH BURKE was in Aksaz, Turkey. This port was used to plan the upcoming SHAREM 137. The ARLEIGH BURKE participated in the SHAREM 137 Exercise from April 20 till May 1. After a brief port visit to Antalya, Turkey, the ship was underway from May 1-4 and assigned as Commander Task Force Six Zero (Battleforce Sixth Fleet). During this period the ship embarked CTF-60, Captain Thompson, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Two and held a successful Engineering Mid-Cycle Assessment. On May 4-8, she made a port call to Gaeta, Italy. Next, the ship hit its last foreign port from May 10-13 in Malaga, Spain. The ARLEIGH BURKE then crossed the Atlantic from May 14-22, during which time, the ship conducted the Combat Systems Mid-Cycle Assessment. On May 22, the ARLEIGH BURKE reached Newport, Rhode Island. The ship picked up over 70 family members in Newport for a two day Tiger Cruise back to Norfolk. Finally on May 24, the ARLEIGH BURKE returned to the Naval Station Norfolk.

In preparation for an upcoming yard period, the ship conducted a partial Ammo Offload in Yorktown in July. July also saw several Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy and various Reserve Officers Training Corps units live onboard for some real world training. From July 23-26, the ARLEIGH BURKE was underway again to conduct unit level training in the VACAPES OPAREA. The ship was able to get underway again on August 09. The same day, ARLEIGH BURKE dropped anchor in Annapolis, Maryland. She would serve as the tour ship for over 200 members and families of the USNA Class of 2005 as well as local citizens. The crew enjoyed the historical downtown restaurants and the sites of the Naval Academy. Of particular interest was the resting-place of both Admiral Arleigh A. and Roberta G. Burke. The ARLEIGH BURKE Wardroom placed a wreath at the impressive granite gravestone to honor the ship's namesake.

On August 14 the ship headed back to sea, this time to participate as the Opposition Forces during the Joint Task Force Exercise 01-3 (JTFEX) for the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group. After concluding her role in the JTFEX, the ARLEIGH BURKE steamed independently, training new watchstanders who had not been on the ship's deployment. Then, the ship pulled into Cape Canaveral, Fla., for a liberty port. ARLEIGH BURKE returned to Norfolk on August 27 and began preparations for the upcoming shipyard availability.

On October 22, the ship was moved from Norfolk to the Metro Machine Shipyards to commence the EDSRA. The crew was moved to a barge, adjacent to the ship and contractors and crewmembers began the extensive overhaul of the ARLEIGH BURKE. The ARLEIGH BURKE was the first ship in her class to go through such availability. The ship received a new WSN-7 upgrade, berthing and galley refurbishing, a stern flap for improved speed and reduced squat, shaft removal and cleaning, overall engineering and topside preservation, Battle Force Team Training (BFFT) install, Advanced Tomahawk Weapons Control System (ATWCS) equipment, as well as various other projects to enhance the combat performance of the ship. On December 19, the ARLEIGH BURKE was placed in the OLD DOMINION dry dock at Metro Machine Shipyards to begin the major overhaul projects.

The ship's efforts on deployment and during Operation NOBLE EAGLE resulted in the ARLEIGH BURKE being awarded the Battle Efficiency Award for FY2001; meaning it was the most combat ready ship in Destroyer Squadron Two. In addition to the Battle E, the ship also received the four other efficiency awards: the Maritime Warfare Excellence Award (Black E), the Engineering Survivability Award (Red E), the Command and Control Excellence Award (Green E), and the Logistic Management Award (Blue E).

ARLEIGH BURKE left the Metro Machine Shipyard on April 1, 2002. The EDSRA was officially over on April 5, though topside preservation work and engineering upgrades would continue.

The ARLEIGH BURKE got underway on April 29 to participate as opposing forces (OPFOR) in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) Battle Group's Joint Tactical Force Exercise (JTFEX). This underway period helped bring the Combat and Bridge watch standers back into the rhythm of operational steaming. After being detached from the JTFEX, ARLEIGH BURKE steamed south to the Caribbean to help two submarines conduct their Tactical Readiness Evaluation (TRE). Enroute, ARLEIGH BURKE helped two mariners in distress in a rescue at sea for a fishing boat that had lost propulsion and had drifted out to sea. ARLEIGH BURKE towed the wayward fishermen close to the coast and turned the vessel over to the United States Coast Guard.

Off the coast of the Bahamas from May 8-10, ARLEIGH BURKE conducted several exercises with the submarines to support their combat proficiency. In addition, the ship assumed the role of Launch Area Coordinator (LAC) and Alternate Theater Strike Coordinator (ALT TSC) for a simulated Tomahawk Cruise Missile Launch by the submarines and the USS PORTER (DDG 78).

After completion of the TRE, ARLEIGH BURKE pulled into Port Everglades, Fla., from May 10-15. Underway on May 15, the trip back to Norfolk consisted of several Engineering LTT's and overall ship training in Main Space Fire Doctrine. ARLEIGH BURKE returned to Norfolk on May 17.

At the end of the month, May 29-30, ARLEIGH BURKE was again underway, sailing to Yorktown Weapons Station for a missile and ammunition onload. By July 12, the ship sailed to the Virginia Capes Operating Area (VACAPES OPAREA) for Smart Search '02, a multi-ship, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise. The ship returned to homeport on July 19. For the remainder of the month, the ship participated in Exercise Solid Curtain, a Force Protection Exercise for the entire Norfolk waterfront.

The ship got underway for KEVTACEX on Friday, August 16. KEVTACEX was a multi-national antisubmarine warfare exercise in the North Atlantic, which included maritime patrol aircraft and ships from several NATO countries. Joined by fellow DESRON TWO ships, USS PORTER (DDG 78), with embarked COMDESRON TWO staff, and USS CARR (FFG 52), ARLEIGH BURKE battled through fog and heavy seas enroute Reykjavik, Iceland. During the transit, the ship conducted training in anticipation of the Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) and Underway Demonstration (UD), with several battle problems, which tested both the Combat Information Center (CIC) and the engineering department. ARLEIGH BURKE anchored in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 24, along with PORTER and CARR. This visit represented the first visit of US Navy ships in Iceland in five years. On the morning of August 25, ARLEIGH BURKE had to re-anchor in Reykjavik Harbor due to heavy weather. The next morning, after a KEVTACEX Conference outlining the schedule of events, the ship weighed anchor and headed back out into the North Atlantic seas. The NATO ships and aircraft hunted the elusive Type 209 Diesel submarine from Norway for five days.

Upon conclusion of the KEVTACEX events, the ship anchored again in Reykjavik on September 3 for fuel. September 4, the ship headed to Norway, stopping in Bergen, Norway on September 7 for fuel and liberty. In Bergen, ARLEIGH BURKE became the flagship for Destroyer Squadron Two, with the embarkation of COMDESRON TWO, CAPT Thompson and his staff. By September 8, ARLEIGH BURKE was headed up to the NSFS Range at Frohavet, Norway. Tucked into a fjord, the Frohavet Range was being considered by US Naval planners as a possible substitute for the Vieques Island, Puerto Rico gun range. On September 10, ARLEIGH BURKE scored an impressive 97.5% during the NSFS qualification. Upon completion of the NSFS qualification, it was back across the Atlantic for ARLEIGH BURKE. Following an underway replenishment with HMCS PRESERVER, ARLEIGH BURKE pulled into Halifax, Canada, on September 17. She arrived at Norfolk on September 23

In December, the ship continued preparing for COMPTUEX and the increasing probability of early deployment with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group. This call came on January 7, when the ARLEIGH BURKE, along with the Battle Group, left for a month long COMPTUEX in the Caribbean. Following the exercise, the ships deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, ARLEIGH BURKE launched 26 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles against regime targets in Iraq. In addition, the ship served in numerous US and coalition task groups, escorted more than 80 ships through high-threat chokepoints, conducted Leadership Interdiction Operations in the Gulf of Aden and participated in counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa. Sailors had the opportunity to visit Rota, Spain, in mid-February, and Cartagena, Spain, on the way home. Between the port visits, the destroyer spent 90 consecutive days underway. ARLEIGH BURKE returned to Norfolk on June 11, 2003.

Mid-2005 saw the ARLEIGH BURKE return to North Atlantic waters when she participated in the Joint Maritime Course, a multinational NATO exercise being conducted off the coast of Scotland. During the cruise, the ship visited Faslane, Scotland.

Later in 2005, ARLEIGH BURKE departed on her next Mediterranean deployment. This time, she was assigned to NATO's Standing Naval Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) supporting Operation Active Endeavour. On May 7, 2006, the ship returned home to Norfolk, Va.

On July 9, 2007, USS ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk on yet another Mediterranean cruise. Assigned to the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) Strike Group, the ship operated in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. On November 5, ARLEIGH BURKE provided humanitarian and medical assistance to the crew of the Taiwanese-flagged fishing trawler CHING FONG HWA. The vessel had been seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia in May and had just been released with US Navy assistance. On December 19, 2007, the ship returned home to Norfolk.

On April 25, 2009, ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk on her next deployment. First, she set sail for Scotland to join the multinational Exercise Joint Warrior. After completion, she proceeded southbound, crossed the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal and made a brief stop at Djibouti to refuel on June 11. Thereafter, she continued to Mombasa, Kenya, for a six-day port visit in support of Africa Partnership Station. In mid-July she arrived in Durban, South Africa, and subsequently visited Simon's Town as her second South African port on the cruise. Following exercises with the South African Navy, ARLEIGH BURKE proceeded to Port Louis, Mauritius, arriving there on July 30. After visiting Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Algiers, Algeria, the ship returned to Norfolk on October 21, 2009.

In 2010, ARLEIGH BURKE underwent an Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, as part of the DDG Modernization (DDG MOD) upgrade, a program to upgrade the ship's systems and to extend service life to 40 years. This availability lasted well into 2011.

After weapons onload at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, ARLEIGH BURKE left the East Coast September 16 heading for Scotland to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 11-2. During this cruise she visited Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde, Faslane, Scotland, twice before steaming to Mayport, Fla., and arriving at Norfolk on November 9, 2011.

Underway again on January 30, 2012, ARLEIGH BURKE proceeded to the Mediterranean for her next overseas deployment. She joined NATO's SNMG2 and subsequently exercised with allied Navies and supported Operation Ocean Shield in the Gulf of Aden. Ports of Call included Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete, Greece; Haifa, Israel; and Limassol and Larnaca, Cyprus. The ship returned home to Norfolk on July 31, 2012, and entered the MHI Ship Repair & Services Shipyard, Norfolk, Va., for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

On November 22, 2013, ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk to participate in a COMPTUEX as part of the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) Strike Group and after only a short period back in Norfolk, departed again for a scheduled independent deployment with the primary focus on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) operations on February 15, 2014. Arriving at Marseille, France, on March 2 for a 12-day port call, the ship transited the Suez Canal on March 20 and entered the Arabian Gulf for Maritime Interception Operations on March 28. She took over the duties from sistership HOPPER (DDG 70) during a port call to Bahrain on March 29.

Relieved on station by USS MAHAN (DDG 72) on September 9, ARLEIGH BURKE left the Persian Gulf on September 14. On September 23, while underway in the Red Sea, she launched Tomahawk cruise missiles on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria. She transited the Suez Canal the next day and continued her homeward journey. The ship arrived at Norfolk on October 17 completing an eight-month deployment.

Following an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk for sea trials in April 2016. After local operations and missile exercises, the ship entered the OLD DOMINION Dry Dock at the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair for a four-month availability in August.

Operations and Exercises kept the ship busy during 2017. Activities included group sail operations with the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Group in October. ARLEIGH BURKE conducted an ammunition onload at Yorktown in January 2018, and after a COMPTUEX and Joint Task Force Exercise in February departed on a scheduled deployment on April 11, 2018.

The cruise took her to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf for escort duties for the USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7). In early July the ship returned to the Mediterranean and after a visit to Rota, Spain, returned to Norfolk on July 21, finishing a three-month deployment.

Already one month later, on August 28, 2018, ARLEIGH BURKE departed Norfolk on her next deployment as part of the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Group. The ship's first port during this cruise was Halifax on September 7. From there she proceeded to Rota, Spain, for a brief visit and continued to Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, where she arrived on October 11. She continued operations in the Mediterranean visiting Israel and Cyprus before returning home to Norfolk on December 16.

On March 5, 2019, ARLEIGH BURKE moved "dead-stick" to SPEEDE Dry Dock at NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk for a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). She moved "dead-stick" from NASSCO shipyard to Naval Station Norfolk on December 20, and got underway for sea trials on January 27, 2020. The remainder of 2020 was spent with operations off the US East Coast.

In March 2021, the ARLEIGH BURKE got underway for Exercise Black Toro in the northern Atlantic. She joined USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80) and USS VERMONT (SSN 792) for the anti-submarine warfare exercise. After completion, the ship proceeded to her new homeport Rota, Spain, arriving there on April 11.

ARLEIGH BURKE departed Rota for a first short underway on May 3. She proceeded northbound and entered the Baltic Sea. After a brief visit to Kiel, Germany, the ship returned to the North Sea and operated with the USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group and the HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH (R 08) Strike Group. She returned to Rota on May 22.

On August 10, ARLEIGH BURKE departed Rota on her first forward-deployed patrol in the US 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility. The patrol initially took her to the Norwegian Sea and again to the Baltic Sea. She visited Tromso, Norway; Tallinn, Estonia, and Gdynia, Poland, before returning to Rota on September 24 for a two-week upkeep. In mid-October, the ARLEIGH BURKE returned to the Baltic Sea and visited Helsinki, Finland, before returning to Rota on November 12, 2021.


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Accidents aboard USS ARLEIGH BURKE:

DateWhereEvents
August 1, 2022off Helsinki, Finland
A lookout reports a sailor in the water, prompting the ARLEIGH BURKE to conduct man-overboard procedures. A search involving US, Swedish and German forces fails to locate the man. He is later identified as Seaman Recruit David Spearman, 19, from North Carolina. On August 4, the Navy confirmed his death.


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Homeports of USS ARLEIGH BURKE:

PeriodHomeport
commissioned at Norfolk, Va.
1991 - 2021Norfolk, Va.
2021 - presentRota, Spain


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The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles while USS ARLEIGH BURKE was inport Norfolk, Va, on May 11, 1999.



The photos below were taken by me and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va, on November 9, 2008.



The photos below were taken by me and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE dry-docked at the BAE Shipyard at Norfolk, Va., on October 28, 2010.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 23, 2014. The ship returned from an eight-month deployment to the 6th and 5th areas of operation on October 17, 2014, and is still wearing the homecoming garland on the bow.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., on April 29, 2015.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE undergoing an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., on October 6, 2015.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on April 13, 2016.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 12, 2016.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS ARLEIGH BURKE undergoing an Extended Dry-Docking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA) at General Dynamics NASSCO at Norfolk, Va., on December 7, 2019. This availability is preparing the ARLEIGH BURKE for her upcoming homeport change to Rota, Spain. If you look closely, you can see some upgrades: her SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System has been upgraded with the Navy’s Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 (visible below the bridgewing). Also, her aft Phalanx CIWS has been replaced with a SeaRAM System.



The photo below was taken by Helwin Scharn and shows USS ARLEIGH BURKE at her homeport Rota, Spain, on May 22, 2022.



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