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CNO Delivers Principal Address at Truxtun Commissioning
Story Number: NNS090425-10
Release Date: 4/25/2009 9:28:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Rebekah Blowers, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead delivered the principal address at the commissioning of the Navy's 53rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Truxtun (DDG 103), April 25.
CNO said the utility and importance of the Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers has been clear in the decision to restart the production line and increase the number of ballistic missile upgrades to the existing DDGs. He said Truxtun is in the most advanced, capable and versatile surface combatant class in the world.
"Two weeks ago, it was an Aegis destroyer, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), that successfully rescued an American merchant captain from pirates off Somalia. A week before that it was the AEGIS destroyers [USS] Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), [USS] Stetham (DDG 63), and [USS] Fitzgerald (DDG 62) that tracked the North Korean ballistic missile and last year it was the Aegis destroyer [USS] McFaul (DDG 74) that first docked in Georgia after it was invaded by Russian forces," Roughead said.
Truxtun contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests. She will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to sea control and will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously.
CNO emphasized that it took years of hard work and collaboration with industry to bring the Truxtun to life again to sail in defense of the nation's interests
"To all who brought us to this day, you are a vital part of our Navy and our nation. We would not have the strength and power we need without it," Roughead said. "To the Sailors who will sail in this great ship, you are the most important crew that this ship will ever have. You will set the course for this ship for the next 35 years."
The ship is named after Commodore Thomas Truxtun who was selected as one of the Navy's first six captains in 1798. He was assigned command to USS Constellation during the undeclared naval war with revolutionary France. Roughead said the spirit of the ship's namesake, Commodore Thomas Truxtun is alive and well in the Navy today.
"We continue to span the globe in support of our Nation's interests, and despite his valiant efforts, we continue to fight the scourge of piracy. But most of all, we believe, like Commodore Truxtun, that while we must endeavor to maintain peace, we must be prepared for war in every respect," Roughead said.
For more news from Chief of Naval Operations, visit www.navy.mil/local/cno/.
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