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USS O'Kane (DDG-77)
Encyclopedia
USS O'Kane (DDG-77) is an in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. The ship was built by Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works is a major American shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, United States. Since its founding in 1884 , BIW has built private, commercial and military vessels, most of which have been ordered by the United States Navy...
in Bath, Maine
Bath, Maine
Bath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,266. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath is a port of entry with a good harbor. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its...
, starting on May 8, 1997. The ship was commissioned on October 23, 1999. It is named for Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Richard O'Kane
Richard O'Kane
Rear Admiral Richard Hetherington “Dick” O'Kane was a United States Navy submarine commander in World War II, who received a Medal of Honor for his service on the...
.
History
USS O'Kane was built in Bath, Maine at Bath Iron Works. USS O'Kane was launched in March 1998. USS O'Kane was commissioned on October 23, 1999 under the command of CDR David Hulse in Pearl HarborPearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. USS O'Kane participated in RIMPAC 2000. USS O'Kane participated in Fleet Week San Diego in Oct 2000. In Nov 2000 CDR Taylor Skardon assumed command. USS O'Kane deployed on her maiden deployment on August 1, 2001. While on deployment USS O'Kane conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Northern Persian Gulf during the opening stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. USS O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor in late January 2002. USS O'Kane received the Battle "E" award for Destroyer Squadron 31 for 2001. USS O'Kane also received the Navy Unit Commendation, her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Award, her first Sea Service Award, and National Defense Service Awards while on her Maiden Deployment.
In Sep 2002 CDR Michael Viland assumed command. Under his leadership USS O'Kane completed an accelerated innovative training cycle eight months ahead of schedule with the CARL VINSON Battle Group to be ready for contingency operations. USS O'Kane was further accelerated and deployed independently, leaving homeport January 17, 2003. Initially USS O'Kane provided escort of high value shipping and conducted Operation ENDURING FREEDOM boardings of suspect terrorist vessels, then she rapidly transitioned to combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. USS O'Kane successfully projected combat power ashore with several salvos of TOMAHAWK cruise missiles and provided early warning of ballistic missile launches to command centers, PATRIOT missile batteries, and civil defense forces, supporting a protective umbrella for coalition ground and naval forces. USS O'Kane then transitioned to providing post hostility maritime security of Iraqi waters. USS O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor late July 2003. USS O'Kane was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal for her second deployment. Following post deployment maintenance, USS O'Kane commenced the basic phase of training for her next deployment.
In Feb 2004 CDR William Nault assumed command.