USS Firebolt explained

USS Firebolt (PC-10) is the 10th member of the of coastal patrol boats of the United States Navy. She is a 174feet vessel with a crew of approximately 30 sailors, normally homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. Her armament includes two Mk38 chain guns, two Mk19 automatic grenade launchers, and two 0.51NaN1 machine guns, as well as six Stinger missiles.[1] She was laid down by Bollinger Shipyards on 17 September 1993, launched on 10 June 1994, commissioned into the Navy on 10 June 1995,[2] and she was decommissioned on 23 February 2022.[3]

Persian Gulf service

In February 2003, Firebolt deployed to Bahrain to operate in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While there, she rotated crews so that she could remain on station without returning home for leave. In February 2004, Firebolt collided with a navigational buoy off the coast of Iraq. The subsequent inquiry board into the incident led to the removal of Lieutenant Commander Michael T. Sullivan from command.[4]

On 24 April 2004, Firebolts rigid-hulled inflatable boat attempted a boarding operation on a dhow that was approaching the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in Iraq. As the boarding team of seven pulled alongside, the dhow exploded in an apparent suicide bombing. Two sailors and one coast guardsman[5] were killed when the explosion flipped the boat over, dumping her crew into the water. The coast guardsman was a member of the embarked Law Enforcement Detachment and was the first coast guardsman to die in action since the Vietnam War. The survivors were picked up by an S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter from the Australian frigate .[6]

On 26 April 2021, Firebolt, in formation with USCGC Baranof, fired warning shots at several Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) after the smaller boats closed to within 68 yards despite warnings via radio and loud-hailer. The U.S. ships were performing routine maritime security patrols in the international waters of the North Persian Gulf.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cyclones, Firebolt and the Persian Gulf Pirates. 2006-09-23. Geibel. Adam. 22 October 2003. Dirty Little Secrets. StrategyWorld.com.
  2. Web site: [{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=PC10}} USS FIREBOLT]. 2007-01-31. Naval Vessel Register. NAVSEA Shipbuilding Support Office.
  3. Web site: Firebolt Crew Marks End of Ship’s U.S. Navy Service at Decommissioning. United States Navy. 23 February 2022. 23 February 2022.
  4. Web site: Firebolt's Commanding Officer Relieved. 2006-09-22. U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs. 1 April 2004. Navy NewsStand. Naval Media Center. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070329202931/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12599. 29 March 2007. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal's Oral History. 2006-09-23. Capelotti. Peter. 25 April 2003. U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office.
  6. Web site: Suicide bombing attack claims first Coast Guardsman since Vietnam War. 2010-08-26. Helmer. Kendra. 27 April 2004. Stars and Stripes.
  7. Web site: IRGCN Interaction with U.S. Naval Vessels in the North Persian Gulf. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. 27 April 2021. 27 April 2021. IRGCN Interaction with U.S. Naval Vessels in the North Persian Gulf.

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