USS Benfold#List of commanding officers
{{Short description|US Navy destroyer}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:Port bow view of USS Benfold (DDG-65) underway in South Pacific 010326-N-1644C-001.jpg | Ship caption = Port bow view of USS Benfold (DDG-65) underway in the South Pacific Ocean. }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = United States | Ship flag = {{USN flag}} | Ship name = Benfold | Ship namesake = Edward Clyde Benfold | Ship ordered = 16 January 1991 | Ship awarded = | Ship builder = Ingalls Shipbuilding | Ship original cost = | Ship yard number = | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = 27 September 1993 | Ship launched = 9 November 1994 | Ship sponsor = | Ship christened = | Ship completed = | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = 30 March 1996 | Ship recommissioned = | Ship decommissioned = | Ship maiden voyage = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship renamed = | Ship reclassified = | Ship refit = | Ship struck = | Ship reinstated = | Ship homeport = Yokosuka | Ship motto = Onward with valor! | Ship nickname = | Ship honors = See Awards | Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|9457701}}
| Ship fate = | Ship status = {{ship in active service}} | Ship notes = | Ship badge = 150px }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}} | Ship displacement = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer displacement I}} | Ship length = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer length I}} | Ship beam = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer beam}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer draft}} | Ship power = 3 × Rolls-Royce AG9130F (Allison 501-K34) (2.5 MW Each) | Ship propulsion = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer propulsion}} | Ship sail plan = | Ship speed = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer speed}} | Ship range = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer range}} | Ship endurance = | Ship complement = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer complement}} | Ship sensors = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer sensors}} | Ship EW = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer EW}} | Ship armament = {{Arleigh Burke class destroyer armament I (BMD)}} | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Flight I/II aircraft}} | Ship notes = }} |
USS Benfold (DDG-65) is a Flight I {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}} in the United States Navy. She is a multi-mission platform capable of anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) with the powerful Aegis Combat System suite and anti-aircraft missiles, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), with towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, anti-surface warfare (ASUW) with Harpoon missiles, and strategic land strike using Tomahawk missiles. Benfold was one of the first ships fitted with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System and during the 2010 Stellar Daggers exercise was the first ship to simultaneously engage a ballistic missile and a cruise missile.{{cite web |website=Missile Defense Agency |title=Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense |url=http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_warfighter.html |access-date=2012-11-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022204132/http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_warfighter.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}
Former Benfold commanding officers include Admiral Mark Ferguson, Admiral Michael Gilday, Vice Admiral Thomas H. Copeman III, and author D. Michael Abrashoff.{{cite book|url=https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/captain-d-michael-abrashoff/its-our-ship/9780446537063/|publisher=grandcentralpublishing.com|title=Captain D. Michael Abrashoff: It's Our Ship|date=27 June 2017 |isbn=9780446537063 |access-date=22 April 2022}}
Design, construction and improvements
Built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Benfold is the 15th of a planned 90 Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. Named for posthumous Korean War United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold, she joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet for service on 30 March 1996.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=806|title=GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) COMMISSIONING CEREMONY AT BROADWAY PIER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA|publisher=defense.gov |date=28 March 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619095824/http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=806|archive-date=19 June 2015|url-status=live|access-date=1 February 2023}}
Equipped with the Aegis air-defense system and the Mark-41 Vertical Launch System for multiple types of guided missiles, Benfold is capable of defensive and offensive operations against warplanes, anti-ship missiles, surface ships, submarines, and shore targets. In addition to her missiles, she carries one 5-inch rapid-fire naval gun for action against surface ships and for shore bombardment. She also carries anti-submarine torpedoes, and two Phalanx CIWS anti-missile guns. She has a flight deck for MH-60R/S Seahawk Helicopters and is capable of refueling and re-arming these helicopters, but she does not have a hangar for storing and maintaining helicopters.
=Modernization 2011=
In 2011, Benfold entered drydock at BAE Systems, San Diego to receive an extensive $32 million mid-life upgrade. The hull mechanical and electrical (HM&E) upgrades included a fully integrated bridge, improved machinery and damage control, quality of life improvements, an advanced galley, and commercial-off-the-shelf computing equipment.{{cite web |author=NAVSEA |title=First Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers Successfully Complete Comprehensive Modernization Program |url=http://www.navsea.navy.mil/teamships/Sea21_Mod/DDG51_Avail_Completion.aspx |date=4 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029182635/http://www.navsea.navy.mil/teamships/Sea21_Mod/DDG51_Avail_Completion.aspx |archive-date=29 October 2011 }}
=Modernization 2013=
In 2013, Benfold underwent extensive combat systems upgrades to include the installation of Aegis Baseline 9C, Ballistic Missile Defense version 5.0, A(V) 15 SONAR Suite, and also became Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) capable.
Service history
= Deployments =
- 14 August 1997 to 19 February 1998 – Persian Gulf
- 18 June 1999 to 17 December 1999 – Pacific Ocean/Persian Gulf
- 13 March 2001 to 15 September 2001 – Gulf
- 18 October 2004 to 1 March 2005
- 13 September to 2006 13 March 2007
- 4 May 2008 to 3 November 2008
- 8 September 2009 to 16 March 2010
- 15 June 2012 to 11 January 2013 – Persian Gulf
- 2 October 2015 to present - U.S. 7th Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan
=Naval exercises 2012=
File:USS BENFOLD CHANGE OF COMMAND OCT 2012.JPG
In 2012, Benfold was the first San Diego–based naval ship invited to participate in the Koa Kai naval exercises. Benfold conducted integrated flight operations, anti-surface and anti-submarine training, dynamic ship maneuvers, ballistic missile defense, small boat attacks and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) utilizing the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team.{{cite web |first1=Daniel |last1=Cobb |first2=James |last2=Martin |title=USS Benfold Completes Koa Kai 2012 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg65/Pages/USSBenfoldCompletesKoaKai2012.aspx |date=16 April 2012 |access-date=12 November 2012 |archive-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013004130/http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg65/Pages/USSBenfoldCompletesKoaKai2012.aspx |url-status=dead }}
=Collision=
On 19 November 2017 Benfold was involved in a minor collision with a Japanese commercial tug off Sagami Bay. The tug lost power and drifted into Benfold, causing damage described as minimal, with some scraping to the ship's side. There were no injuries reported on either vessel; Benfold continued at sea, while the tug was towed to Yokosuka.{{cite web |work=BBC News|title=US warship and Japanese tug collide in latest incident|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42041704|date=19 November 2017|access-date=20 November 2017}}
= Freedom of Navigation operations =
Benfold has conducted the following Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea:
- 12 July 2021 – Paracel Islands{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-drove-away-us-warship-schina-sea-2021-07-12/|title=China says it 'drove away' U.S. warship on anniversary of tribunal ruling|publisher=reuters.com|date=12 July 2021|access-date=16 July 2022}}
- 8 September 2021 – Spratly Islands{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2021/09/08/destroyer-performs-fonop-u-s-navy-disputes-chinese-claim-that-it-ousted-warship|title=Destroyer Performs FONOP, U.S. Navy Disputes Chinese Claim That It Ousted Warship|publisher=usni.org|date=8 September 2021|access-date=16 July 2022}}
- 18 January 2022 – Spratly Islands{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
- 20 January 2022 – Paracel Islands{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2904862/7th-fleet-destroyer-conducts-freedom-of-navigation-operation-in-south-china-sea/|title=7th Fleet Destroyer conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea|publisher=navy.mil|date=20 January 2022|access-date=16 July 2022}}
- 13 July 2022 – Paracel Islands{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/us-destroyer-patrol-inflames-south-china-sea-dispute/2022/07/13/2e888260-027a-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html|title=US destroyer sails past Chinese-held South China Sea islands|work=washingtonpost.com|date=13 July 2022|access-date=16 July 2022}}{{subscription required}}
- 16 July 2022 – Spratly Islands{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/16/asia/us-navy-freedom-of-navigation-spratly-islands-south-china-sea-intl-hnk-ml/index.html|title=US Navy challenges Chinese claims in South China Sea for second time in a week|publisher=cnn.com|date=16 July 2022|access-date=16 July 2022}}
In 2022, Benfold was praised by Seventh Fleet leadership as an exemplar of good ship preservation.{{Cite web |last=Mike |first=Glenn |date=21 August 2022 |title=Navy fights never-ending battle with nature, losing ships to rust and corrosion |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/aug/21/some-fear-navy-losing-battle-against-rusty-ships/ |website=Washington Times}} On 6 August 2023, Benfold and three other destroyers responded to a joint Chinese-Russian patrol in international waters near Alaska. The Chinese–Russian flotilla left without incident.{{cite web |first=Maya |last=Yang |title=US dispatches warships after China and Russia send naval patrol near Alaska |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/06/us-navy-warships-china-russia-naval-patrol-near-alaska/ |website=The Guardian |date=6 August 2023 |access-date=6 August 2023}}
On 9 August 2023, the Navy announced plans to extend the ship's service life beyond the initial 35 years, intending to keep Benfold in service until at least 2036.{{Cite news |date=9 August 2023 |title=Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers |website=navytimes.com |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2023/08/09/navy-extends-service-lives-of-four-more-destroyers/|access-date=10 August 2023}} The Navy has announced plans to rotate Benfold to Everett, Washington, replacing her in Japan with {{USS|Preble|DDG-88|6}}.
Awards
- 2003–2004 – USS Arizona Memorial Trophy Award, for "superior performance in combat readiness and battle efficiency."{{cite web |url= http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2005/NAV05211.txt |title= USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL TROPHY |website= NAVADMINS/NAV2005/NAV05211 |date= 29 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194557/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2005/NAV05211.txt |archive-date= 4 March 2016 }}
- 1998 – Spokane TrophyAbrashoff, D. Micheal. It's your Ship: It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy, 10th Anniversary Edition. Grand Central Publishing, 2012.
- Navy Unit Commendation for 01-Oct-1997 to 30-Apr-1998
- Meritorious Unit Commendation as a part of the Constellation Battle Group for 01-Jan-1999 to 10-Sep-2001
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, for four separate time periods between October 1997 and August 2001
- Humanitarian Service Medal for Operation Unified Assistance from 28-Dec-2004 to 12-Feb-2005
- CNO Afloat Safety Award (PACFLT) - (2007)
- Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy – (2022)
- Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award - (2022)
Benfold has been awarded the Navy Battle "E" for the following years: 1997,{{cite DANFS |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/benfold.html |title= Benfold}} 1999, 2001, 2003 (listed as "BENFOLD DDG 76" on awards site, year of Benfold DDG-65 / Higgins DDG-76 "Sea Swap"), 2004, 2005, 2007,{{cite web |url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=35408 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120930185459/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=35408 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 30 September 2012 |title= COMNAVSURFOR Announces Winners of Battle "E" |first=Elena |last=Velazquez |date= 4 March 2008 }} 2009,{{cite web |url= https://awards.navy.mil/awards/webbas01.nsf/%28vwWebPage%29/home.htm?OpenDocument |title= UNIT AWARDS FOR BENFOLD DDG 65 |website= awards.navy.mil |access-date= 15 June 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150515120005/https://awards.navy.mil/awards/webbas01.nsf/%28vwWebPage%29/home.htm?OpenDocument |archive-date= 15 May 2015 |url-status=dead }} 2018,{{cite web |title=Surface Force Commander Encourages Continued Excellence to USS Benfold Crew |url=https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg65/Pages/Surface-Force-Commander-Encourages-Continued-Excellence-to-USS-Benfold-Crew.aspx |website=USS Benfold |publisher=navy.mil |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018162124/https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg65/Pages/Surface-Force-Commander-Encourages-Continued-Excellence-to-USS-Benfold-Crew.aspx |url-status=dead }} 2021, and 2022.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|USS Benfold (DDG-65)}}
{{Naval Vessel Register|{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=DDG65}}}}
- {{Official website|http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg65/Pages/default.aspx#.Vjsq2fmrTqY}}
{{Arleigh Burke class destroyer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benfold (DDG-65)}}
Category:Destroyers of the United States