USS Thomas Hudner explained

USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) is an . The $663 million contract to build her was awarded on 28 February 2012, to Bath Iron Works, of Bath, Maine.[1] [2] On 7 May 2012, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the ship name would be named Thomas Hudner in honor of U.S. naval aviator Thomas Hudner, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in trying to save the life of his wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, in the Korean War.[3]

Construction and design

Thomas Hudner is the 66th ship of the Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers, the first of which,, was commissioned in July 1991.[4] As an Arleigh Burke-class ship, Thomas Hudners roles include anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare, as well as strike operations.[5] During its long production run, the class was built in three flights—Flight I (DDG-51–DDG-71), Flight II (DDG-72–DDG-78), and Flight IIA (DDG-79–).[6] Thomas Hudner was to be a "Technology Insertion" ship with elements of the next generation of Arleigh Burke class destroyers, called Flight III, and Flight III proper is planned to start with DDG-125.

In 2008, the U.S. Navy decided to restart production of the Arleigh Burke class as orders for the were reduced from thirty-two to three.[7] [8] The first three ships (DDG-113—DDG-115) ordered following the product decision are known as the "restart" ships, while "technology insertion" ships (DDG-116—DDG-123) were expected to incorporate certain elements of Arleigh Burke class Flight III, which in turn was planned to run from DDG-125 onwards.[9]

Thomas Hudners keel was laid on 16 November 2015.[10] [11] Her christening took place on 1 April 2017,[12] [13] and she was launched three weeks later, on 23 April.[14] She completed acceptance trials 3 May 2018,[15] and on 15 June 2018, the Navy accepted delivery of Thomas Hudner from shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.[16] Thomas Hudner was commissioned on 1 December 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts.[17]

Service history

2018–2022

, Thomas Hudners home port was Naval Station Mayport, Florida.[18]

From July to August 2020, Thomas Hudner participated in Operation Nanook alongside vessels from the Canadian, French, & Danish navies.[19]

On 20 February 2021, Thomas Hudner embarked on her maiden deployment, traveling over 45000nmi before returning to her home port on 17 July 2021.[20] During her deployment, she made transits to the Black Sea,[21] operated in the Mediterranean Sea with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and her battlegroup,[22] and also took part in the annual BALTOPS exercise with NATO allies.[23]

In September 2021, Thomas Hudner, along with her sister ship, participated in "Operation Cutlass Fury" with the Canadian and French navies.[24] Later that month, she became a part of the newly formed Task Group Greyhound.[25]

In November 2022, Thomas Hudner and the, an air defense frigate, joined the new super-carrier as part of a NATO Carrier Strike Group operating in the Atlantic Ocean with multiple other nations. They arrived at Portsmouth, England, on 14 November 2022.

2023–present

On 8 October 2023, the day after the Hamas attack on Israel, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, directed the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean in response. Along with the carrier, the group also included the cruiser, and the destroyers,, and Thomas Hudner.[26]

On 15 November 2023, Thomas Hudner shot down a drone that was headed toward the ship, which was launched from Yemen.[27] [28]

On 23 November 2023, Thomas Hudner shot down multiple attack drones launched from Yemen.[29]

On 4 January 2024, Thomas Hudner returned to Mayport after an eight-month deployment and sailing more than 60,000 miles.[30]

Awards

Notes and References

  1. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Awarded Contract to Build Additional DDG 51-class Destroyer . 28 February 2012 . Bath Iron Works . 10 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130413061837/https://www.gdbiw.com/sites/default/files/docs/Press%20Releases/GDBIW%20DDG%20116%20Option%20Exercise-02-28-12%20FINAL.pdf . 13 April 2013.
  2. DDG 51 Class Ship Construction Contract Awards Announced . . 26 September 2011 . 16 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130302104926/http://www.navsea.navy.mil/PR2011/PressRelease_110926_DDG114-116contractannouncement.pdf . 2 March 2013.
  3. Secretary of the Navy Announces DDG 116 to Be Named Thomas Hudner . United States Navy . 8 May 2012 . 6 April 2016.
  4. Web site: [{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=DDG51}} USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) ]. 3 February 2011 . . United States Navy . 17 February 2012.
  5. Web site: DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class . . FAS.org . 2 November 2016 . 9 June 2021.
  6. Web site: Arleigh Burke Class (Aegis), United States of America . Naval-technology.com . Net Resources International . 17 February 2012.
  7. News: Navy: No need to add DDG 1000s after all . Ewing, Philip . . . 31 July 2008 . 21 February 2012.
  8. News: Contractors Agree on Deal to Build Stealth Destroyer . Drew, Christopher . . 8 April 2009 . 21 February 2012.
  9. Web site: DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Burke-Class Destroyer – New Construction Program . Peter C. . Lyle . 2010 . . 21 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120402175035/http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/SAS2010/Lyle_DDGRestart.pdf . 2 April 2012 .
  10. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Lays Keel of DDG 116 . Bath Iron Works . 19 November 2015 . 20 November 2015.
  11. COMNAVSURFLANT Prepares to Welcome USS Thomas Hudner . United States Navy . NNS151118-05 . 18 November 2015 . 20 November 2015.
  12. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Christens Future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) . Bath Iron Works . 3 April 2017 . 3 April 2017.
  13. Web site: General Dynamics Christens Future USS Thomas Hudner . Marine Link . 5 April 2017 . 6 April 2017.
  14. Web site: USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) . 3 December 2018 . . United States Navy . 9 December 2018 .
  15. Web site: Miller. Kevin . BIW-built destroyer passes Navy 'acceptance trials' . Press Herald . 7 May 2018 . en . 5 May 2018.
  16. Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Thomas Hudner . United States Navy . NNS180616-03 . 16 June 2018 . 16 June 2018.
  17. USS Thomas Hudner brought to life in Boston. United States Navy. NNS181203-14. 3 December 2018. 3 December 2018.
  18. Web site: USS Thomas Hudner Heads to Mayport . Kevin . Derby . 4 December 2018 . Sunshine State News. 9 December 2018 .
  19. Web site: U.S. Forces Participate in Canadian Operation NANOOK > United States Navy > display-news . www.navy.mil . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806092818/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/2299799/us-forces-participate-in-canadian-operation-nanook . 2020-08-06.
  20. Web site: USS Thomas Hudner Returns from Deployment. dvidshub.net. 17 July 2021. 23 July 2021.
  21. Web site: UPDATED: USS Monterey, USS Thomas Hudner Enter Black Sea for 'Multi-Domain' Operations. 19 March 2021.
  22. Web site: U.S. Navy destroyer joins French CSG in the Mediterranean. 29 May 2021.
  23. Web site: After NATO Baltic Sea exercises, USS Thomas Hudner stops in Germany. UPI.com.
  24. Web site: Forrest Sherman and Thomas Hudner Participate in Canadian Led Cutlass Fury 2021.
  25. Web site: Navy Creates New Atlantic Destroyer Task Group to Hunt Russian Submarines. 27 September 2021.
  26. Web site: Statement From Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Force Posture Changes in the Middle E . 2023-10-08 . U.S. Department of Defense . en-US.
  27. Web site: US Navy warship shoots down drone from Yemen over the Red Sea. 15 November 2023. AP News.
  28. Web site: Britzky . Haley . US warship shoots down drone believed to have been launched from Yemen CNN Politics. CNN . 15 November 2023 . en . 15 November 2023.
  29. Web site: Casianio . Louis . US Navy warship shoots down multiple one-way attack drones launched from Yemen, officials say . Fox News . 22 November 2023 . en . 22 November 2023.
  30. News: Lundy . Jonathan . Welcome home! USS Thomas Hudner returns to Mayport after eight-month-long deployment . 25 January 2024 . News 4 Jax . 4 January 2024.

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