History
The contract to build Churchill was awarded to the Bath Iron Works Corporation on 6 January 1995, and the keel was laid down on 7 May 1998. Churchill was launched 17 April 1999, delivered 13 October 2000, and commissioned 10 March 2001. The launch and christening of the ship was co-sponsored by Lady Soames, the daughter of Winston Churchill, and Mrs. Janet Cohen, wife of the Secretary of Defense. Her first commanding officer was Commander (now Rear Admiral) Michael T. Franken.
Churchill is the only U.S. Navy vessel to have a Royal Navy Officer permanently assigned to the ship's company. The U.S. Navy had a permanent U.S. Navy Officer on the Royal Navy ship, HMS Marlborough, until its decommission on 8 July 2005. Churchill is also the only U.S. Naval vessel to fly a foreign ensign. The Royal Navy's White Ensign is flown as well as the Stars and Stripes (as shown in the photograph).
On 14 May 2001, the Churchill underwent shock trials off the coast of Florida. These trials subjected the ship to several close-range underwater detonations, each consisting of 7 tons of high explosives, and were performed to collect data concerning ship survivability and damage resistance in a modern threat environment. The Churchill sustained minor damage during these tests.
On 14 September 2001, (three days after the September 11, 2001 attacks), the German Navy destroyer Lütjens passed close abeam Churchill and rendered honors by manning the rails, flying the Stars and Stripes at half-mast, and the display of a banner reading "We Stand By You." An e-mail sent by an ensign on board Churchill described the occasion.
In January 2003, WSC deployed with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) battle group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, firing several Tomahawk Missiles. WSC returned to Norfolk at the end of May 2003.
On 22 August 2005, Churchill was involved in a minor collision with McFaul off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. Both ships suffered minor damage, and no injuries were reported. Both ships returned to their homeport at Naval Station Norfolk under their own power.
On 22 January 2006 Winston S. Churchill captured a suspected pirate vessel in the Indian Ocean as part of an ongoing effort to help maintain law and order in the region.
On 26 September 2010, Winston S. Churchill came across a disabled skiff in the Gulf of Aden. After attempts to repair the skiff's engines failed the Churchill took the vessel under tow towards Somalia. On 27 September the skiff sank when the 85 passengers rushed to one side of the skiff during a food delivery causing the vessel to capsize. The Churchill was able to rescue 61 of the passengers and continued towards Somalia on 28 September.
Read more about this topic: USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)
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