USS Benfold Tour WOW…What a Tour!

 

Literally thousands of local civilians …. and many veterans….lined up for a tour of the USS Benfold, DDG 65.  For the late arrivals the wait  to get on board was a little long but the tour of this vessel was an inspiration for all of us. 

 

  The Benfold is an Arleigh-Burke class Destroyer.  This is the largest ship being built for the U. S.  Fleet but this is definitely not one of the “Tin Cans” of WW II.  The ship is over 500 ft long and has a 60 ft beam and probably has a speed capability of 4o knots although the offical stats say 30. The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the first destroyer of the United States Navy built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The first ship was commissioned on 4 July 1991. After the decommissioning of the last Spruance-class destroyer, USS Cushing, on September 21, 2005, the Arleigh Burke class ships became the U.S. Navy’s only active destroyers.

The class is named for Admiral Arleigh “31-Knot” Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of World War II. Admiral Burke was alive when the class leader was commissioned. The first Arleigh Burke class was launched July 4, 1991, just after the last Spruance Class cruiser was de-commissioned. Ironically the USS Spruance DDG is presently on the ways at Bath, Maine and soon to be commissioned.  Admiral Spruance was the officer who replaced Admiral Halsey (who was in hospital) prior to the battle of Midway and his leadership was crucial to what is described as the greatest U.S. naval victory in history. 

This destroyer has more firepower than a WW II battleship.  This class were the first destroyers  built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. Arleigh Burke class ships are the U.S. Navy’s only active destroyers.

The class is named for Admiral Arleigh “31-Knot” Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of World War II. Admiral Burke was alive when the class leader was commissioned.

Her Collective Protection System makes the Arleigh Burke class the first U.S. warships designed with an air-filtration system against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare 

The United States Navy has begun a modernization program for the Arleigh Burke class aimed at improving the gun systems on the ships in an effort to address congressional concerns over the retirement of the U.S. Iowa-class battleships. Among other things this modernization includes is the extension of the range of the 5-inch (127 mm) guns on the Flight I Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (USS Arleigh Burke to USS Ross) with extended range guided munitions (ERGMs) that would enable the ships to fire projectiles about 40 nautical miles (74 km) inland.

 

 

 

 The United States Navy has begun a modernization program for the Arleigh Burke class aimed at improving the gun systems on the ships in an effort to address congressional concerns over the retirement of the U.S. Iowa-class battleships. Among other things this modernization includes is the extension of the range of the 5-inch (127 mm) guns on the Flight I Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (USS Arleigh Burke to USS Ross) with extended range guided munitions (ERGMs) that would enable the ships to fire projectiles about 40 nautical miles (74 km

 

“What’s Up in Seal Beach” in Seal Beach and the people of SealBeach thank the 275 officers and men of the USS Benfold for giving up their deserved weekend liberty to proudly show us their ship.  They are on their way back to the Middle Ease and we want to see them back here in a few months safe and sound and this time perhaps we can show them a good tour of our town. .

 

 

USS Benfold Opens It’s Doors

All day Saturday and Sunday the ship, the USS. Benfold is welcoming local citizens to walk these hallowed decks.  I say “hallowed” because of the history of the name of this ship.

USS BENFOLD DDG-65 is the 15th Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named in honor of Hospitalman 3rd class Edward Clyde Benfold and joined the Pacific Fleet on 30 March 1996 when she was commisioned for duty.

Born in Staten Island, New York on January 15, 1931, Petty Officer Benfold graduated from Audubon High School in Audubon, New Jersey. Petty Officer Benfold entered the service at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1950. After completion of recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he was selected for “A” school training as a Hospitalman.

He was killed in action while serving with the First Marine Division in Korea. “For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman, attached to a Company in the First Marine Division during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 5 September 1952…” he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation continues: “When his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, Benfold resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement.

Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and the rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed two Marines in a large crater. As he approached the two men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw two grenades into the crater while two other enemies charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers.

Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, Benfold, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his two comrades. His exceptional courage reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.”

Our servicemen never know exactly when they’ll be called on to make the ultimate sacrifice …. but they always seem ready to respond when they are called.

Visit the ship this weekend and let those swabbies know you care for them and respect them and we’re proud to have them as our guests in Seal Beach.  Bring a camera if you want but leave your purses and back-packs in the car.

Warship Open House June 19th and 20th

The public will have a unique opportunity to visit an advanced U.S. Navy  warship and meet her crew at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station June 19 and 20th.

The guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) will be open for weekend public visitation, with Saturday tours given from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday tours provided from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.  Hands-on displays of other Navy and Marine Corps equipment will also be available, including Marine Corps and SEAL vehicles, as well as high-tech motion ride chair simulators with vision goggles.  Music will be provided by members of Navy Band Southwest.

The tour is free of charge and no reservations are required.  Cameras are permitted, and walking shoes are highly recommended.  No backpacks or handbags will be allowed onboard the ship, and the vessel is not accessible to the handicapped.  Public entry will only be available via the station’s Wharf Gate, located on Seal Beach Boulevard, 200 yards south of the Pacific Coast Highway intersection.  No access will be available from the station’s Main Gate.

The Gridley is a sister ship to the USS Dewey, which was commissioned here in March, and many people were unable to get tickets to that event.  However, this is a chance to see the same type of ship and the last time there was an “open house” on  guided missle destroyer in Seal Beach there were over 10,000 visitors.  The lines moved quickly and the crew were worthy ambassadors for their ship. The firepower on just one of these destroyers is equal to some of the naval battle forces of World War II.

Commencing operations in 1944 as a U.S. Naval Ammunition and Net Depot, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach is the Pacific Fleet’s premier ordnance loading and storage installation.  The base provides munitions for a majority of the fleet’s surface ships, and services approximately 50 U. S. Navy vessels annually.  More information on USS Gridley can be found online at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4 and http://www.gridley.navy.mil.

For more information or to arrange media access for this event please contact the station Public Affairs Office at (562) 626-7215.

For “whatsupinsealbeach” coverage of the last open house on the USS Benfold go to https://www.whatsupinsealbeach.com/index.php?s=benfold

Tours Available of High Tech US Navy Ship

This weekend, August 1-2, at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons station, free tours will be available of the guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). 

The tours at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station are free. No reservations are required. The vessel does not have handicapped access.

Saturday tours will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sunday tours will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Displays of other Navy, Marine Corps and Army equipment also will be available.

Public entry will be via the Liberty Gate, on Seal Beach Boulevard, south of the Pacific Coast Highway. Call (562) 626-7215 for more information.