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US Navy - Guided Missile Destroyer DDG 77 - USS O'Kane |
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| 03/20 | ||
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Type,
class: Guided Missile Destroyer - DDG; Arleigh Burke
class, Flight II Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, USA STATUS: Awarded: July 20, 1994 Laid down: May 8, 1997 Launched: March 28, 1998 Commissioned: October 23, 1999 IN SERVICE Homeport: Naval Base San Diego, California Namesake: Rear Admiral Richard Hetherington O’Kane (1911-1994) Ships Motto: A TRADITION OF HONOR Technical Data: see: INFO > Arleigh Burke class Guided Missile Destroyer - DDG |
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 Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - July 2018  a RIM-66 Standard Missile SM-2MR was fired from the aft Mk-41 VLS - exercise RIMPAC 18 - July 2018  a RIM-66 Standard Missile SM-2MR was fired from the aft Mk-41 VLS - exercise RIMPAC 18 - July 2018  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - June 2018  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - June 2018  Juneau, Alaska - May 2017  Pacific Ocean - April 2017  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - April 2016  off Oahu, Hawaii - April 2016  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2014  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2014  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2014  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2014  during exercise Koa Kai 14-1 off Hawaii - January 2014  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - January 2014  off Hawaii - May 2013  off Hawaii - May 2013  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2012  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2012  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - March 2012  Pacific Ocean - November 2011  Pacific Ocean - November 2011  a Mk-46 Mod. 5A exercise torpedo was launched from the Mk-32 torpedo tubes - Pacific Ocean - November 2011  Mk-45 Mod. 2 gun live-fire exercise - Pacific Ocean - November 2011  ship's helm and bridge - Pacific Ocean - November 2011  Pacific Ocean - November 2011  Pacific Ocean - November 2011  returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - February 2011  returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - February 2011  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - July 2010  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - July 2010  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - February 2010  departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - February 2010  Pacific Ocean - October 2009  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - September 2009  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - September 2009  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - February 2009  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - September 2008  during exercise RIMPAC 08 - Pacific Ocean - July 2008  during exercise RIMPAC 08 - Pacific Ocean - July 2008  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for exercise RIMPAC - July 2008  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - April 2008  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 2007  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 2007  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 2007  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 2007  Central Command AOR - July 2007  helm and bridge - Persian Gulf - June 2007  Persian Gulf - June 2007  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - January 2007  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - January 2007  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - January 2007  during exercise RIMPAC 06 - Pacific Ocean - July 2006  a RIM-66 Standard Missile SM-2MR was fired from the aft Mk-41 VLS during exercise RIMPAC - July 2006  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July 2005  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July 2005  Indian Ocean - April 2005  ship's helm - Horn of Africa - April 2005  departing Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - February 2005  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July 2003  returning to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July 2003  Central Command AOR - March 2003  a RIM-66 Standard Missile SM-2MR was fired from the forward Mk-41 VLS during exercise RIMPAC 02 - July 2002  during Operation Enduring Freedom - December 2001  refueling during Operation Enduring Freedom - December 2001 |
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USS O'Kane (DDG 77): USS O’Kane (DDG 77) is the twenty-seventh destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class and the sixteenth built by Bath Iron Works. She was laid down on May 8, 1997 at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, launched on March 28, 1998, christened on April 17, 1998 and commissioned October 23, 1999. August 1, 2001 USS O'Kane departed homeport for its maiden western Pacific deployment, as part of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group. The guided-missile destroyer returned to Pearl Harbor after supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2002. In July 2002 DDG 77 participated in a multi-national biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) '02, off the waters of Hawaii. In August USS O'Kane returned to Pearl Harbor after a visit to Hilo, on the big island of Hawaii, where her crew took part in the 41st International Festival of the Pacific (IFOP). In March 2003 Thirty U.S. Navy and coalition warships, including USS O'Kane, launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) during military operations to disarm Iraq. In July USS O'Kane returned to homeport after a seven-month deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. In February 2005 USS O'Kane deployed with USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In July the O'Kane returned to her Pearl Harbor homeport after the scheduled deployment which also included Maritime Security Operations (MSO) off the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean. In July 2006 The guided-missile destroyer departed Pearl Harbor to participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. In September USS O'Kane participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group Three. In January 2007 USS O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment with the Stennis CSG. In February DDG 77 entered the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AoO) to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO). In August the guided-missile destroyer participated in exercise Valiant Shield 2007. In August USS O'Kane returned home after a seven-month deployment. In April 2008 The O'Kane went on a surge deployment with the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group in the western Pacific. In June USS O'Kane returned to homeport after a seven-week underway period. In July the guided-missile destroyer participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008. In February 2009 USS O'Kane returned to Pearl Harbor homeport after a four-and-a-half month underway period which included ANNUALEX 20G and the defense of Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf. In September USS O'Kane departed homeport for a western Pacific deployment. In November the guided-missile destroyer participated in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G. In December USS O'Kane returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor after her deployment. In July 2010 USS O'Kane departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a Middle East deployment as part of Commander, Task Force-Iraqi Maritime, supporting maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR). In February 2011 The O'Kane returned home after her seven-month deployment. April 14, USS O'Kane, fired and guided an SM-3 Block IA missile that intercepted the intermediate-range ballistic missile, the 21st successful intercept, in 25 attempts, for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). In November the participated in integrated training exercise "Koa Kai 12-1", off the coast of Hawaii. March 23, 2012 USS O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled Middle East deployment with a primary focus on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) operations. In November USS O'Kane returned to her homeport in Pearl Harbor after seven-and-a-half month deployment. source: US Navy - - - - - another history: USS O'Kane, a Baseline 5.3 Flight II Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is the 27th destroyer of the class and the sixteenth built by Bath Iron Works. O’Kane is the second ship to be commissioned in her home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She was laid down on 8 May 1997 at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, launched on 28 March 1998, christened on 17 April 1998 and commissioned 23 October 1999 under the command of CDR David Hulse in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While transiting to Pearl Harbor on 2 October 1999, twenty one days prior to her commissioning, O'Kane briefly rendezvoused off the coast of Ixtapa, Mexico with the decommissioned battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) en route to Philadelphia for restoration as a museum ship. O'Kane participated in RIMPAC 2000. O'Kane participated in Fleet Week San Diego in October 2000. In November 2000 CDR Taylor Skardon assumed command. O'Kane deployed on her maiden deployment on 1 August 2001. While on deployment O'Kane conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Northern Persian Gulf during the opening stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor in late January 2002. O'Kane received the Battle "E" award for Destroyer Squadron 31 for 2001. O'Kane also received the Navy Unit Commendation, her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, her first Sea Service Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medals while on her Maiden Deployment. In September 2002, CDR Michael Viland assumed command. Under his leadership 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. O'Kane was further accelerated and deployed independently, leaving homeport 17 January 2003. Initially O'Kane provided escort to shipping and conducted Operation Enduring Freedom boardings of suspect terrorist vessels, then she rapidly transitioned to combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. O'Kane 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. O'Kane then transitioned to providing post-hostility maritime security of Iraqi waters. O'Kane returned home to Pearl Harbor late July 2003. O'Kane was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal for her second deployment. Following post-deployment maintenance, O'Kane commenced the basic phase of training for her next deployment. In February 2004, CDR William Nault assumed command. In February 2005, O'Kane deployed with USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In July, O'Kane returned to her Pearl Harbor homeport after the scheduled deployment which also included Maritime Security Operations (MSO) off the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean. In July 2006, the guided-missile destroyer departed Pearl Harbor to participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. In September, O'Kane participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Three. In January 2007, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment with the John C. Stennis group. In February, O'Kane entered the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AoO) to conduct Maritime Security Operations. In August the guided-missile destroyer participated in exercise Valiant Shield 2007. In August, O'Kane returned home after a seven-month deployment. In April 2008, O'Kane went on a surge deployment with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the western Pacific. In June, O'Kane returned to homeport after a seven-week underway period. In July the guided-missile destroyer participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008. In February 2009, O'Kane returned to Pearl Harbor homeport after a four-and-a-half-month underway period which included ANNUALEX 20G and the defense of Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf. In September, O'Kane departed homeport for a western Pacific deployment. In November the guided-missile destroyer participated in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G. In December, O'Kane returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor after her deployment. In July 2010, O'Kane departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a Middle East deployment as part of Commander, Task Force-Iraqi Maritime, supporting maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR). In February 2011, O'Kane returned home after her seven-month deployment. On 14 April, O'Kane, fired and guided an SM-3 Block IA missile that intercepted the intermediate-range ballistic missile, the 21st successful intercept, in 25 attempts, for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. In November the participated in integrated training exercise "Koa Kai 12-1", off the coast of Hawaii. On 23 March 2012, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled Middle East deployment with a primary focus on Ballistic Missile Defense operations. In November, O'Kane returned to her homeport in Pearl Harbor after seven-and-a-half-month deployment. The ship entered Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in February 2015 for an overhaul at a total cost of over $56 million. It ended in February 2016, four days shy of a full year. On 4 March 2017, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for an Eastern Pacific Deployment to participate in Northern Edge. She made her way to Port Hueneme, San Diego, and Juneau Alaska. O'Kane returned to Pearl Harbor 15 June 2017. On 3 November 2017, O'Kane departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor heading towards the Western Pacific. For the next seven months O'kane remained the ready ballistic missile defense asset for Defense of Guam. On 2 March 2018 CDR Jason Tumlinson relieved CDR Colby Sherwood as the Commanding Officer of the O'Kane. During these seven months O'kane made three short port visits to Guam, Saipan, and at the request of the Commanding Officer, Yokosuka, Japan. O'kane was welcomed back to Pearl Harbor on 4 June 2018. source: wikipedia |
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Rear Admiral Richard Hetherington O’Kane (February 2, 1911 -
February 16, 1994): Richard Hetherington O'Kane was born in Dover, New Hampshire, on 2 February 1911. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1934 and spent his first years of active duty in the cruiser Chester and destroyer Pruitt. He received submarine instruction in 1938 and was then assigned to USS Argonaut until 1942. Lieutenant O'Kane then joined the precommissioning crew of the new submarine Wahoo, serving as her Executive Officer under Commanding Officer Dudley W. Morton and establishing a record as a very promising tactician. In July 1943, Lieutenant Commander O'Kane was detached from Wahoo and soon became Prospective Commanding Officer of USS Tang, which was then under construction. He placed her in commission in October 1943 and commanded her through her entire career. In five war patrols, O'Kane and Tang sank an officially recognized total of 24 Japanese ships, establishing one of the Pacific War's top records for submarine achievement. He was captured by the Japanese when his ship was accidently sunk off China during the night of 24-25 October 1944 and was secretly held prisoner until the war's end some ten months later. Following his release, Commander O'Kane was awarded the Medal of Honor for his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" during his submarine's final operations against Japanese shipping. In the years following World War II, Commander O'Kane served with the Pacific Reserve Fleet as Commanding Officer of the submarine tender Pelias, testified at Japanese war crimes trials, was Executive Officer of the submarine tender Nereus and was Commander Submarine Division Thirty-Two. He was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College in 1950-51 and was subsequently assigned to the Submarine School at New London, Connecticut, initially as an instructor and, in 1952-53, as Officer in Charge. Promoted to the rank of Captain in July 1953, O'Kane commanded the submarine tender Sperry until June 1954 and then became Commander Submarine Squadron Seven. Following studies at the Naval War College in 1955-56, he served in Washington, D.C., with the Ship Characteristics Board. Captain O'Kane retired from active duty in July 1957 and, on the basis of his extensive combat awards, was simultaneously advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the Retired List. Richard H. O'Kane died on 16 February 1994. Medal of Honor citation: Rank and organization: Commander, United States Navy, commanding U.S.S. Tang. Place and date: Vicinity Philippine Islands, October 23, and October 24, 1944. Entered service at: New Hampshire. Born: February 2, 1911, Dover, N.H. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Tang operating against 2 enemy Japanese convoys on 23 October and 24 October 1944, during her fifth and last war patrol. Boldly maneuvering on the surface into the midst of a heavily escorted convoy, Comdr. O'Kane stood in the fusillade of bullets and shells from all directions to launch smashing hits on 3 tankers, coolly swung his ship to fire at a freighter and, in a split-second decision, shot out of the path of an onrushing transport, missing it by inches. Boxed in by blazing tankers, a freighter, transport, and several destroyers, he blasted 2 of the targets with his remaining torpedoes and, with pyrotechnics bursting on all sides, cleared the area. Twenty-four hours later, he again made contact with a heavily escorted convoy steaming to support the Leyte campaign with reinforcements and supplies and with crated planes piled high on each unit. In defiance of the enemy's relentless fire, he closed the concentration of ship and in quick succession sent 2 torpedoes each into the first and second transports and an adjacent tanker, finding his mark with each torpedo in a series of violent explosions at less than 1,000-yard range. With ships bearing down from all sides, he charged the enemy at high speed, exploding the tanker in a burst of flame, smashing the transport dead in the water, and blasting the destroyer with a mighty roar which rocked the Tang from stem to stern. Expending his last 2 torpedoes into the remnants of a once powerful convoy before his own ship went down, Comdr. O'Kane, aided by his gallant command, achieved an illustrious record of heroism in combat, enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. - - - - - He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his exemplary service as commander on the USS Tang on March 27, 1947. Rear Admiral O'Kane's other military decorations include the Navy Cross with two Gold Stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V", the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. USS O’Kane (DDG 77) is named after the late Admiral Richard O'Kane. Richard H. O'Kane was born on February 2, 1911. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover and the University of New Hampshire before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1930. Upon graduation in 1934, O'Kane was commissioned as an Ensign and served on USS Chester and USS Pruitt before reporting for instruction in submarines at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut in January 1938. After completing his training, O'Kane served on the submarine USS Argonaut until 1942, when he reported for duty as Executive Officer of USS Wahoo. For outstanding service on Wahoo, O'Kane was awarded the Silver Star Medal with two Gold Stars, and a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy. In August 1943, O'Kane returned to the Mare Island Navy Yard where he assumed command of the submarine USS Tang upon her commissioning on October 15, 1943. After undergoing intensive training exercises in the San Diego area, the USS Tang left for the Pacific, arriving in Pearl Harbor on January 8, 1944. Under Commander O'Kane, Tang went on five war patrols, sinking a total of 31 ships, totaling more than 227,000 tons, and damaging two other ships - a record unsurpassed by any American submarine. During its fifth and final war patrol, which began on September 24 and ended on October 25, 1944, the USS Tang sank 13 enemy ships. In what was to be her final battle, the Tang encountered a heavily escorted enemy convoy. Engaged in a fierce surface battle, Commander O'Kane directed Tang to fire her last two torpedoes at a crippled transport ship. The first torpedo went straight and true and struck its target. The second torpedo was faulty and turned around almost immediately, heading directly for Tang. Ordering emergency speed, Tang tried to pull out of the torpedoes path, but it struck the submarine in the stern, thus causing a violent explosion. O'Kane was on the bridge at the time and was instantly thrown into the water along with nine other men. Only thirty crew members survived the blast below decks. These men attempted to swim to the surface from the escape trunk in the forward torpedo room. By morning time, only O'Kane, three men from the bridge and five crew members from below decks had survived when the Japanese arrived. The survivors were picked up and taken to a Japanese Prisoner-of-War camp. Commander O'Kane and the others from the USS Tang were imprisoned on Formosa. He was later transferred to a secret prison camp near Tokyo where he was not registered and was therefore listed as "missing in action" until the camp's liberation two weeks after V-J Day. During his nearly year-long imprisonment, he and the other prisoners survived on a diet of less than 300 calories a day, eating mostly rice or barley, without fruit, vegetables or protein. Upon his release, Commander O'Kane was suffering from scurvy and beriberi. He was evacuated by air to Pearl Harbor, and after a short hospitalization, was transferred to the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After his recovery, O'Kane's commands included USS Pelias and USS Sperry, as well as the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, Submarine Division THIRTY-TWO and Submarine Squadron SEVEN. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his exemplary service as commander on the USS Tang on March 27, 1947. Rear Admiral O'Kane's other military decorations include the Navy Cross with two Gold Stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V", the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. He also wrote two books based on his experiences in World War II, “Clear the Bridge” and “Wahoo”. DDG-77 website
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