USS Howard DDG-83

 Scale 1:700 Brand Hobbyboss (Kit Score 9/10)

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USS Howard (DDG-83) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Medal of Honor recipient First Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard, USMC. This ship is the 33rd destroyer of her class. USS Howard was the 19th ship of this class to be built by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine, and construction began on 8 December 1998. She was launched and christened on 20 November 1999. She was commissioned into the Navy on 20 October 2001.

The ship is named in honor of 1st Sgt. Jimmie E. Howard, USMC (1929–1993), recipient of the Medal of Honor for his leadership of a platoon against repeated attacks by a battalion-sized Viet Cong force. After receiving severe wounds from an enemy grenade, he distributed ammunition to his men and directed air strikes on the enemy. By dawn, his beleaguered platoon still held their position. Howard had also received the Silver Star Medal for his service in the Korean War. Every time Howard sets to sea from her homeport of San Diego, she passes within view of 1st Sgt. Howard's grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and salutes her namesake.

On 16 February 2007, Howard was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.[1]

On 28 September 2008, Howard was reported to be in pursuit of the Ukrainian ship Faina, which on 25 September 2008 was captured by Somali pirates en route to Kenya. Faina was reported to be carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks along with ammunition and spare parts.[2] Faina was eventually released by the pirates 5 February 2009.

In 2008, Howard received the 2008 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award and provided humanitarian assistance to the Philippines.[3]

CDR Amy M. McInnis is the tenth Commanding Officer, assuming command on 19 November 2015. CDR John J Fay was the ninth Commanding Officer, relieving CDR Zook. CDR David Zook was the eighth commanding officer, relieving CDR Bergmann on 21 September 2012. CDR Andree (Ande) E. Bergmann replaced CDR Scott Switzer on 17 March 2011 as the seventh commanding officer. Scott Switzer was the sixth commanding officer of Howard, replacing CDR Curtis Goodnight on 8 May 2009 during a ceremony at San Diego.[3]

Currently Howard is a member of Destroyer Squadron 9 and Carrier Strike Group Eleven.

General characteristics

Class and type: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

Displacement: 9,200 tons

Length: 509 ft 6 in (155.30 m)

Beam: 66 ft (20 m)

Draft: 31 ft (9.4 m)

Propulsion: 4 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 100,000 shp (75 MW)

Speed: exceeds 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)

Complement: 320 officers and enlisted

Armament:

1 × 5 inch (127 mm)/62 caliber Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun

2 × 25 mm Mk 38 Autocannons

4 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns

2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS

2 × Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes for Mk 46 torpedo

96-cell Mk 41 VLS for:

RIM-66 Standard Missile 2

BGM-109 Tomahawk

RUM-139 VL-ASROC missiles

Aircraft carried: 2 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopters