USS Briscoe (DD-977)
34°49′0″N 72°31′0″W / 34.81667°N 72.51667°W
USS Briscoe on 21 March 2003
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History | |
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United States | |
Name | Briscoe |
Namesake | Robert Pearce Briscoe |
Ordered | 26 January 1972 |
Builder | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
Laid down | 21 July 1975 |
Launched | 28 December 1976 |
Acquired | 8 May 1978 |
Commissioned | 3 June 1978 |
Decommissioned | 2 October 2003 |
Stricken | 6 April 2004 |
Identification |
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Motto | Efficiency and Valor |
Fate | Sunk as target, 25 August 2005 |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Spruance-class destroyer |
Displacement | 8,040 (long) tons full load |
Length | 529 ft (161 m) waterline; 563 ft (172 m) overall |
Beam | 55 ft (16.8 m) |
Draft | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
Propulsion | 4 × gas turbines , 2 shafts, 80,000 shp (60 MW) |
Speed | 32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph) |
Range |
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Complement | 19 officers, 315 enlisted |
Sensors and processing systems |
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Electronic warfare & decoys |
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Armament |
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Aircraft carried | 2 × SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters. |
Aviation facilities | Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two medium-lift helicopters |
USS Briscoe (DD-977), named after Admiral Robert Pearce Briscoe USN, was a Spruance-class destroyer built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was laid down 21 July 1975, launched 28 December 1976 and commissioned 3 June 1978. The ship operated from Norfolk, Virginia during her entire 25-year career. When decommissioned, she was part of Destroyer Squadron 22.
History
Briscoe conducted firing trials in 1981–1982 in support of the SALGP (Semi-Active Laser Guided Projectile) off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico. These projectiles were fired from the 5 inch (127 mm) gun at a range in excess of 11 miles (18 km). While in flight, an optical sensor would detect the signature of a laser-painted target on shore and convert the shell to an actively homing rocket for pinpoint destruction of moving and stationary targets on shore.
Participated in
In her second North Red Sea deployment in March 1994, Briscoe responded to a distress call on 19 May 1994 from an Egyptian passenger ferry, the Al-Qamar Al-Saudi Al-Misri. Briscoe acted as the On-Scene Commander for the ensuing rescue efforts for the over 500 passengers, coordinating the actions of the numerous vessels in the area.[1]
In 1996, Briscoe deployed to the Mediterranean and Black Sea for a six-month period. Deployed with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 44 (Detachment 5), Briscoe in Exercise Atlas Hinge with the
Briscoe took part in Exercise Classica 96, from 31 August through 9 September, in the spirit of
In 1999, at President Bill Clinton's orders, warships of the U.S. Navy assisted in the search for the crashed plane of John F. Kennedy Jr. With the permission of Secretary of Defense William Cohen, a public memorial service for Kennedy was held aboard the Briscoe. Kennedy's body was cremated and his ashes were scattered into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.[2]
Routine deployment workups were interrupted in 2001, as Briscoe responded to help provide aerial defense of the U.S. East Coast after the
Briscoe was decommissioned 2 October 2003. She was disposed of as a target in support of a fleet training exercise on 25 August 2005. She lies at 34°49′N 072°31′W / 34.817°N 72.517°W at a depth of 2,252 fathoms (13,512 ft; 4,118 m).[3]
Awards
- Navy Unit Commendation - (Oct 1997-Apr 1998, Jan-May 2003)
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation- (1 Aug 1998)
- Battle "E"- (1980, 1992, 1995)
- Navy Expeditionary Medal - (Jul-Sep 1980)
- Southwest Asia Service Medal - (Aug-Oct 1992)
- Humanitarian Service Medal - (18-20 May 1994)
Ship's crest
The ship's coat of arms is a reflection of the naval career of Admiral Robert Pearce Briscoe.
Standing boldly at the base of the shield is the Lion of St. Mark, which refers to the Admiral's leadership as Commander in Chief of Allied Southern Forces Europe. The fess and wavy bar, immediately above the Lion of St. Mark, suggest flowing water passing warships and small land areas. This is reminiscent of the Northern Solomon Islands where Admiral Briscoe commanded the USS Denver in World War II several important engagements. The shield is completed by four stars, symbolic of Admiral Briscoe's leadership achievement and rank.
Atop the shield is a crest symbolic of further achievement in a long and successful career. The trident, symbol of
The coat of arms is summed up by the ship's motto "Efficiency and Valor", given to the ship by former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Robert Carney, as a tribute to his close friend.
Gallery
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USS Briscoe on 1 April 1982
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USS Briscoe in 1987
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USS Briscoe in 1996
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USS Briscoe and USS Harry S. Truman on 23 April 2003
References
- ^ a b Hines, Heather. "Briscoe Decommissioned After 25 Years". www.navy.mil. United States Navy. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- ^ Kennedy, Bessettes Given Shipboard Rites, WashingtonPost.com, 23 July 1999, retrieved 23 September 2010
- ^ "SINKEX Conducted - LANTFLT". SEA 21. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
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