The contract to build Reuben James was awarded on 22 March 1982 to → Todd Shipyard of San Pedro, California. Her keel was laid on 19 November 1983, she was launched on 8 February 1985, she was delivered to the Navy on 3 March 1986 and commissioned a few days later on 22 March. She was faster than 30 knots (30 mph; 60 km/h) and powered by two gas turbine engines. Armed with anti-air and anti-ship missiles, an automated three-inch (76 mm) gun, an anti-missile defense system, and two → SH-60 Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters, Reuben James was tasked with hunting submarines as well as battle group escort and maritime interception. Reuben James joined the Red Stallions of Destroyer Squadron Thirty-One in June 1987.
Assigned to Mideast Force on her maiden deployment, Reuben James participated in twenty-two Operation Earnest Will convoy missions, serving as the convoy commander's flagship on ten of those missions. As a unit of the Pacific Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness Squadron, she was a key participant in the continuing research and development of anti-submarine tactics and equipment, a fitting role in tribute to the men of the first Reuben James.
1990s
On 10 September 1990 Reuben James was reported to be in Vladivostok, U.S.S.R.[2]
In August 1991, Reuben James moved from Long Beach, California to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On 1 October 1998, she joined the "Ke Koa O Ke Kai", Destroyer Squadron Thirty-One.
On a WestPac deployment in 1995-1996, the ship's rudder fell off. The ship docked in Bahrain for repairs.
2000s
Reuben James participated in the CARAT 2000 exercises, including phases in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia,
Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. The first phase of CARAT began in the Philippines on June 14 and the final phase, conducted in Singapore, ended September 22. CARAT 2000 demonstrated U.S. commitment to security and stability in Southeast Asia while increasing the operational readiness and capabilities of U.S. forces. The exercise also promoted interoperability and cooperation with U.S. regional friends and allies by offering a broad spectrum of
USS Reuben James (FFG-57) 147 mutually beneficial training opportunities.
In Malaysia, CARAT 2000 encompassed two weeks of extensive training to promote interoperability between U.S. naval forces and the Royal Malaysian Navy and Army. The Strait of Malacca was the setting for several exercises. These included anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare and gunnery exercises. One of the exercises was a final battle problem, or night encounter exercise. The two navies’ task groups steamed together in formation for more than 25 hours. The Malaysian-U.S. naval task group was divided into two opposing forces. The Blue Forces consisted of
Reuben James, Germantown, Mount Vernon, and the Malaysian ships, KD Sri Indera Sakti and KD Lekir. The Blue
Forces were supported by U.S. helicopters from Helicopter Squadron Light 37, Detachment Four, from Hawaii. The Orange Forces consisted of the frigate → Sides, the Malaysian ships, KD Perkasa, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil, and a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion aircraft. USS Columbus, homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and USS Helena, homeported in San Diego, also joined the task group in individual phases.[3]
For nine months from July 2002 to April 2003, Reuben James deployed to the Persian Gulf and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom[4] as part of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group. After serving approximately six months in theater, Reuben James started to make its way back to Pearl Harbor. At a stop in Brisbane, Australia the ship was turned around to go back to the Persian Gulf[5] and the deployment was extended indefinitely.[6] Finally, after an extended deployment of almost nine months, the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group was relieved by USS Nimitz.[7] This deployment was extremely long, breaking a number of records,[8] including the longest deployment ever for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.[5]
In July 2003, Reuben James hosted the Japanese destroyer JDS Shimakaze (DDG 172) for exercises in Pearl Harbor.[9] On 23 October 2003 the crew of the Reuben James dressed ship and manned the rails to render honors to President George W. Bush as he toured Pearl Harbor and visited the USS Arizona Memorial.[10]
From February to April 2004, she deployed to the Eastern Pacific in support of counter-drug operations.[11][12]
Between July and December 2004, Reuben James went through an extensive modernization and maintenance program, ensuring that she will always be ready to respond when the mission bell tolls.[13] In October 2004, Reuben
James participated in PASSEX exercises with the French frigate FS Prairial (F 371).
As part of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (ESG 3), Reuben James deployed on 15 February 2006 on a WESTPAC mission to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom[14] . The strike group also consisted of Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 3, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), USS Peleliu, the guided-missile cruiser Port Royal, the guided-missile destroyer Gonzalez, the amphibious transport dock Ogden, the dock landing ship Germantown, Tactical Air Control Squadron(TACRON) 11, and the "Black Jacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21.[15]
En route to the Persian Gulf, Reuben James stopped in New Caledonia.[16] The strike group relieved USS Tarawa on station in early April 2006 and began its mission of conducting maritime security operations. During operations,
Reuben James performed services such as providing medical assistance to Sri Lankan fishermen[17] and rescuing Kenyan sailors.[18] Expeditionary Strike Group 3 was relieved on 9 July 2006 and Reuben James returned to Pearl Harbor in August, 2006.
USS Reuben James (FFG-57) 148
Cultural references
Reuben James appeared in the 1990 movie, The Hunt for Red October (although her appearance in the film was
anachronistic given that she was commissioned about a year after the events in the film), and played a significant role in the book Red Storm Rising, both by Tom Clancy. The Reuben James is one of the few US Navy ships in film history to actually portray herself.
Woody Guthrie wrote the song "The Sinking of the Reuben James" [19] about USS Reuben James (DD-245), the first U.S. warship lost to enemy action during World War II which was torpedoed by the German submarine U-552 while on convoy escort operations.[20] He performed the song with Pete Seeger and the other Almanac Singers. The Guthrie song has an original tune for its chorus, but its verses are set to the tune of the song "Wildwood Flower".
See also
• List of frigates of the United States Navy • Abraham Lincoln Battle Group
• Current United States Navy ships
References
[1] " Ship's History (http://www.reuben-james.navy.mil/history.htm)". www.reuben-james.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 21 2007. [2] " Still Asset Details for DNSC9102252 (http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/DefenseLINK_Search/Still_Details.
cfm?SDAN=DNSC9102252&JPGPath=/Assets/1991/Navy/DN-SC-91-02252.JPG)". DefenseLink. . Retrieved 2007-04-22. [3] " Destroyer Squadron Nine (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/desron9.htm)". globalsecurity.org. .
[4] " Home From the War: Paul Hamilton, Reuben James, Cheyenne, VP-47, HSL-37 Return (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display. asp?story_id=7291)". news.navy.mil. .
[5] " First Hawai'i troops heading home from war (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Apr/10/ln/ln04a.html)".
honoluluadvertiser.com. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[6] " Pearl warships to join carrier groups in Gulf (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Jan/22/ln/ln01a.html)".
honoluluadvertiser.com. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[7] " Last Pearl ship returns from Iraq duty (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Jul/29/ln/ln13a.html)". honoluluadvertiser.com. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[8] " Ships Returning to Pearl Harbor (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pnav/is_200304/ai_3616318712)". Commander Navy Region
Hawaii. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[9] " Reuben James Crew Says ‘Sayonara’ to Friends (http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=8708)". news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[10] " Bush greets vets, pupils in whirlwind O'ahu visit (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Oct/23/br/br02p.html)".
honoluluadvertiser.com. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[11] " Reuben James Heads to Central America (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=11840)". news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[12] " Reuben James Returns to Pearl Harbor (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=13104)". news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[13] " Reuben James Sails with Pride After Successful INSURV (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=18524)".
news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 21 2007.
[14] " Peleliu ESG WESTPAC 06 Deployment (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/lha-5-westpac06.htm)".
www.globalsecurity.org. . Retrieved February 25 2007.
[15] " ESG 3 Deploys in Support of Global War on Terrorism (http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22247)". news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 25 2007.
[16] " USS Reuben James Visits New Caledonia (http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22778)". news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 25 2007.
[17] " USS Reuben James Assists Fisherman in Arabian Sea (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=23288)".
news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 25 2007.
[18] " USS Reuben James Rescues Kenyan Sailors (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24386)". news.navy.mil. . Retrieved February 25 2007.
[19] http://www.geocities.com/lilandr/kantoj/usonanglaj/ReubenJames1.htm [20] http://www.cds31.navy.mil/history.htm
USS Reuben James (FFG-57) 149
This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here (http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FFG57.htm).
External links
• USS Reuben James official website (http://www.reuben-james.navy.mil/)
• navsource.org: USS Reuben James (http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0757.htm) • navysite.de: USS Reuben James (http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG57.HTM)
• MaritimeQuest USS Reuben James (FFG-57) pages (http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/ us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/reuben_james_ffg57_page_1.htm)
• CARAT at GlobalSecurity.org (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/carat.htm)
• USS Reuben James at WikiMapia (http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=21350409&x=-157943706&z=19&l=0& m=a&v=2)
• Crew List at navysite.de (http://navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&squad=false&starty=1985&endy=2001& ship=FFG 57)
• WWE Divas Tour Pearl Harbor (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16868) • Helicopter Squadron Light 37 official website (http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/HSL37-New/main.html)
USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) 150
USS Samuel B.Roberts (FFG-58)
Career (US)
Namesake: Samuel B. Roberts Builder: → Bath Iron Works Laid down: 21 May 1984 Launched: 8 December 1984 Commissioned: 12 April 1986 Homeport: Mayport, Florida Motto: No Higher Honor
Fate: Active in service as of 2009 Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: → Oliver Hazard Perry-class → frigate Displacement: 4,100 tons (4,170 t) full load
Length: 453 ft (138.1 m), overall Beam: 45 ft (13.7 m)
Draught: 22 ft (6.7 m)
Propulsion: 2 × → General Electric LM2500-30gas turbines generating 41,000 shp (31 MW) through a single shaft and →
variable pitch propeller; 2 x Auxiliary Propulsion Units, 350 hp (.25 MW) retractable electric → azipods for maneuvering and docking.
Speed: 29+ knots (54+ km/h)
USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) 151
Complement: 15 officers and 190 enlisted, plus → SH-60 LAMPS detachment of roughly six officer pilots and 15 enlisted maintainers
Sensors and processing systems:
→ AN/SPS-49 air-search radar
→ AN/SPS-55 surface-search radar CAS and STIR fire-control radar AN/SQS-56 sonar.
Electronic warfare and decoys:
AN/SLQ-32; → Mark 36 SRBOC
Armament: 1×OTO Melara Mk 75 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun
delivered with 1×Mk 13 Mod 4 single-arm launcher for → Harpoon anti-ship missiles and → SM-1MR Standard anti-ship/air missiles (40 round magazine) currently removed
1×
2×Mk 32 triple-tube (324 mm) launchers for → Mark 46 torpedoes 1×Vulcan → Phalanx CIWS
4×.50-cal (12.7 mm) machine guns. Aircraft carried: 2 × → SH-60 LAMPS III helicopters
USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) is one of the final ships in the United States Navy's → Oliver Hazard Perry class
of guided missile → frigates (FFG). The ship was severely damaged by an Iranian mine in 1988, leading U.S. forces to respond with Operation Praying Mantis.