Destroyer Squadron 50
Destroyer Squadron 50 | |
---|---|
Destroyer Squadron | |
Part of | United States Fifth Fleet |
Garrison/HQ | Manama, Bahrain |
Destroyer Squadron 50 (DESRON 50) is a destroyer squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron was first formed during World War II when the squadron commodore and his staff led ships in the Pacific Theater from October 1943 until its disestablishment in November 1945. The squadron was equipped with nine Fletcher-class destroyers, comprising Destroyer Divisions (DesDivs) 99 and 100.[1]
For much of 1944, the squadron operated together with Admiral Marc Mitscher's Fast Carrier Task Force, screening the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and a number of other carriers in Rear Admiral John W. Reeves' Task Group during the Marshall Islands and Marianas operations.[2] It participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19–20 June 1944.
The squadron was re-established on 30 November 1994 during ceremonies aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Captain David M. Stone took command of the squadron, 49 years after it stood down in the Pacific. It appears to be based at Manama, Bahrain alongside the rest of the United States Fifth Fleet (FIFTHFLT) headquarters.
Commander Middle East Force (MEF) also served as Commander Destroyer Squadron 50 until MEF's formal disestablishment in 2012–2013.
USS David R. Ray deployed to the Persian Gulf in October 1994 and served as flagship to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 50 conducted Maritime Interception Operations in boarding numerous suspect vessels resulting in the diversion and detention of three vessels. Under Operational Command of Commander Fifth Fleet, COMDESRON 50 was the Multi-National Interdiction Operations (MIO) Commander for an area in the Persian Gulf, referred to as the NAG patrol area, working in company with American, Canadian and other naval forces providing around the clock surveillance and enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. Many of the vessels to be boarded are smaller Indian cargo dhows or Mandi kutches of approximately 250–500 tons. Though small in size, the cargo dhows presented many unique problems to the boarding parties, primarily limited access to cargo holds and more importantly, a distinct language barrier.
The frigate
USS O'Brien returned home 28 August 1998, following a lengthy Middle East Force deployment. O'Brien was assigned various missions during its three and a half month stay in the Persian Gulf. In mid-April the ship participated in the multinational exercise "Neon Spark 98" with British and Bahraini units, serving as flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 50.
The naval control of shipping
Winston S. Churchill joined Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth, Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Flint and merchant vessels MV Arcturus Voyager and Maron Castor for a convoy training exercise, acting as an active test of NCAGS principles.
On 3 July 2013,
By 2014, the Navy will have ten Cyclone-class patrol ships homeported in Bahrain to operate in the Persian Gulf and as far afield as the Gulf of Oman, Captain Naman said. The ships have a range of missions including providing security for infrastructure, like off-shore oil platforms, as well as providing close-in protection for larger ships such as destroyers. Three ships — USS Tempest, USS Squall, and USS Thunderbolt — arrived in Bahrain on 3 July 2013, to increase the total number of ships to eight. Two more ships — USS Hurricane and USS Monsoon — will arrive by mid-2014.
References
External links
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/desron50.htm (reproducing older U.S. Government and U.S. Navy releases)