It’s often said that the U.S. Navy is a logistics and diplomacy machine disguised as a fighting force, and few deployments illustrate that better than the 2005 run of the USS MAHAN (DDG 72). This Guided Missile Destroyer, operating out of Norfolk, Virginia, spent six months defining the term “high tempo” in the European theater. When the MAHAN wrapped up her deployment on 15 November 2005, she left behind a staggering list of accomplishments, proving that this destroyer was truly a vital asset on the global stage.
Deployment Summary
While deployed as part of Surface Strike Group (SSG) 05-2, MAHAN was the United States representative in various multinational exercises throughout the European Theater. Here is the full breakdown of their operational summary:
MAHAN departed Norfolk, VA on 16 May 2005 with the USS MITSCHER and USS HAWES, chopping to 6th Fleet on 21 May 2005. MAHAN’s first major exercise was FRUKUS ’05 where she participated alongside French, Russian, and British units in a multi-warfare environment. Following FRUKUS ’05, MAHAN participated in a PASSEX with the Indian Navy, expanding the operability between U.S. and foreign forces. Once back in the Mediterranean, MAHAN was a vital asset in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, NATO’s contribution to the Global War on Terrorism.
MAHAN next traveled to the Black Sea with port calls to Varna, Bulgaria; Constanta, Romania; and Sevastapol, Ukraine. MAHAN provided Maritime Interception Operation (MIO) training to the navies of all three host-countries to help strengthen allied capabilities in the Global War on Terrorism. Upon completion of her stops in the Black Sea, MAHAN steamed to Theole Sur Mer, France to take part in local World War II remembrance ceremonies.
MAHAN again found herself operating in the North Atlantic alongside various NATO nations for the multinational Anti-Submarine Warfare intensive exercise, SPONTEX ’05. For three weeks, MAHAN demonstrated her ASW war fighting prowess alongside her British, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German and Canadian counterparts. Following her participation in SPONTEX, MAHAN made a weeklong port visit to England, where the crew was afforded the opportunity to visit London. In October, MAHAN participated in the Joint Civilian Orientation Course (JCOC) off the coast of Naples, Italy with the USS MOUNT WHITNEY. During JCOC, MAHAN’s Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Team was afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their newly certified Non-Compliant boarding capabilities. The exercise was designed to provide an exhibition of various At-Sea Navy Operations to civilian corporation executives. MAHAN’s participation included the demonstration of suspect vessel querying procedures that culminated in a subsequent boarding of the suspect vessel (USS MOUNT WHITNEY). While operating in close proximity with USS MOUNT WHITNEY, MAHAN executed numerous high-speed maneuvers demonstrating the Navy’s ability to counter-act, intercept and out maneuver any non-compliant vessel.
After building the recognized maritime picture in support of Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, MAHAN joined the MITSCHER and HAWES in Rota, Spain on the 4 November 2005, where they made their final preparations for crossing the Atlantic Ocean. On 7 November 2005, all three ships, again operating as an SSG, set sail for Norfolk, VA, eagerly looking forward to their return to homeport on 15 November 2005.
By the Numbers: Operational Tempo and Geography
The sheer pace of the MAHAN’s deployment is stunning. The Optempo figures demonstrate that the crew spent nearly 60% of their entire deployment underway, keeping watch and executing missions across thousands of nautical miles.
GENERAL
OPTEMPO:
Second Fleet 8 of 8 days (100%) underway
Sixth Fleet 101 of 175 days (57.7%) underway
Combined: 109 out of 183 days (59.6%) of deployment were underway.
Operations and Exercises:
Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR
FRUKUS 2005
INIDIAN PASSEX
BLACK SEA OPERATIONS
SPONTEX 2005
JOINT CIVILIAN ORIENTATION COURSE
NAVIGATION
Strait Transits:
Strait of Gibraltar (STROG) 6
Messina 4
Turkish 4
Miles Traveled: 18,647NM
Gallons of Fuel Burned: 3,264,607 gal
OPERATIONS
Sea & Anchor Details: 48 Moor to Buoy: 1 Anchorages: 1
UNREPs Conducted: 8
LEROY GRUMMAN (2)
LARAMIE (1)
BIG HORN (3)
SPICA (1)
RFA VICTORIA (1)
Global Reach: Allies, Ports, and Combat Readiness
The MAHAN acted as a floating embassy, participating in complex, multi-national exercises and making numerous port visits—sometimes just days apart. Notice the incredible diversity of nations they trained alongside and the rigorous combat systems schedule maintained.
Port Visits:
Date Range | Location | Country |
|---|---|---|
27-30 May | Cartagena | Spain |
06-08 June | Rota | Spain |
16 June | BSF Rota | Spain |
20-22 June | Brest | France |
24-28 June | Brest | France |
01-05 July | Cherbourg | France |
15 July | BSF Souda Bay | Greece |
20 July | BSF Souda Bay | Greece |
24-27 July | Varna | Bulgaria |
28-30 July | Constanta | Romania |
02-04 August | Savastopol | Ukraine |
08 August | Souda Bay | Greece |
13-17 August | Theoule Sur Mer | France |
22-25 August | Gaeta | Italy |
27 August - 02 September | La Maddalena | Italy |
07-09 September | Rota | Spain |
23-26 September | Brest | France |
28 September - 03 October | Portsmouth | England |
06-07 October | Rota | Spain |
17-19 October | La Maddalena | Italy |
22 October | BSF Augusta Bay | Italy |
26-28 October | Augusta Bay | Italy |
04-07 Nov | Rota | Spain |
Navies Operated Alongside:
Bulgaria
Romania
Ukraine
Russia
France
Italy
India
Spain
Turkey
United Kingdom
Germany
Canada
Portugal
COMBAT SYSTEMS
Gunnery Exercises: 18
The Fuel and the Force: Personnel and Supply Success
Beyond the miles and the missions, the deployment was a testament to the crew's dedication and the logistical brilliance of the Supply department. The focus on retention and qualifications, even while underway, is impressive. And who could forget the 7,357 pounds of sugar consumed in sodas alone?
PERSONNEL
Qualifications:
Surface Warfare Officer 4
Tactical Action Officer 1
Officer of the Deck (Underway) 6
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists 27
Engineering Officer of the Watch 5
Combat Systems Officer of the Watch 7
Reenlistments and Retention:
Reenlistments 28
Reenlistment Rate 75.68%
First Term Reenlistment Rate 67.74%
SRBs 23
SRB Amount $331,221.64
Tax Free five calendar months
SUPPLY
Food Service:
Foreign Dignitaries Served 800
Nations Entertained Romania, Ukraine, and France
Ice Sculptures Used 6
Coffee Served 1250 lbs
Milk Served 1698 gal
Cereal Served 21,920 boxes
Fresh Eggs Used 3,396 Dz
Rice Consumed 3,800 lbs
Hamburgers Served 5,120 lbs
Chicken Served 16,830 lbs
Steak Served 1,864 lbs
Pizza Served 3112
Fresh Fruit/Veggies 81,630 lbs
Flour 6,800 lbs
Ice Cream Consumed 876 gal
Fresh Bread Baked 6182 loaves
Postal Services:
Total Weight of Mail Received: 16,095 lbs
Total Weight of Cargo Received: 22,245 lbs
Avg Time For Delivery of 1st class Mail: 10 days
Avg Time For Delivery of 4th class Mail: 30 days
Ships Services:
Haircuts 2,528
Laundry Processed 43,004 lbs
Ships Store Sales $132,686.09
Snack Vending Sales $25,101.00
Soda Vending Sales $42,873.00
Number of Sodas Sold 85,746
Pounds of Sugar consumed in sodas 7,357lbs!!!!
This detailed breakdown shows a monumental effort by the crew of the USS MAHAN, covering diplomacy, warfighting, and the simple, heroic grind of feeding and supporting a ship at sea for six straight months.