USS John Paul Jones ( DDG - 53 ) USS " John Paul Jones " ( DDG - 53 ) is the third " Arleigh Burke " - class Guided Missile Destroyer and the first ship of the class homeported on the west coast . She is named after American Revolutionary War Naval Captain John Paul Jones . She was built at Bath Iron Works in Bath , Maine . The ship is currently part of Destroyer Squadron 23 , and administratively reports to Commander , Naval Surface Forces Pacific . Description . " John Paul Jones " is capable of operating independently , as an element of a coordinated force , or as the nucleus of a surface action group , and to direct and coordinate anti - air , surface , undersea , and strike warfare operations . The ship is named in honor of Naval hero John Paul Jones and derives her motto from a famous quote of his , " I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast , for I intend to go in harm ' s way . " In order to successfully conduct this mission , " John Paul Jones " has been fitted with the latest weapons , engineering , and damage control systems . The Aegis combat system is one of the most advanced and most capable air defense systems currently in use . " John Paul Jones " is capable of conducting both offensive and defensive operations using Tomahawk and RGM - 84 Harpoon cruise missiles , RIM - 66 Standard missiles , CIWS , and 5 inch ( 127 mm ) gun . The " Arleigh Burke " Class is the first class of U . S . warships to be fitted with an integrated Chemical , Biological and Radiological defense system . " John Paul Jones " was selected as the Shock Trial platform for the DDG - 51 Class . The ship was subjected to a series of close range explosions in order for the Navy to obtain critical information concerning the survivability of the DDG - 51 class in a shock environment . The crew prepared the ship for the most demanding and complex surface ship shock trial test in the history of the Navy . The ship has completed four deployments to the Persian Gulf . On 20 September 1995 , an F - 14A Tomcat fighter jet crashed in the vicinity of " John Paul Jones " . A fly - by at supersonic speed was performed , during which the engine exploded ( due to " compression failure " ) 55 miles away from the carrier , . Both pilot and Weapons Systems Operator ejected and survived with only minor 2nd degree burns . On 7 October 2001 , " John Paul Jones " launched the first Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom . On 13 March 2006 , " John Paul Jones " was named , along with the amphibious assault ship " Bonhomme Richard " , an honorary flagship for the upcoming search for the remains of the original . In June 2010 she began a ten month yard period during which her machinery control system and many HM & E systems were upgraded . This was a first in class effort , similar to the CG - 47 mid life upgrade undertaken on the Ticonderoga Hull . On 10 June 2011 , she anchored off the coast of Malibu , California at the beginning of a three day celebration called Navy Days designed to thank the sailors and their families for their service to the country . On 29 November 2011 , " John Paul Jones " was the first ship to deploy after receiving the DDGMOD ( HM & E ) upgrade . Making her in the words of Thomas Rowden the most advanced warship on the planet . Commanding Officers . The commanding officer ( CO ) of the of the USS John Paul Jones ( DDG - 53 ) , is the United States Navy officer who is the most senior officer on ship . The CO is the ultimate authority over operations of the John Paul Jones and her crew . List of commanding officers . In popular culture . The ship was featured prominently in the 2012 film " Battleship " where she was shown to destroy three alien craft before she sank . The ship is mentioned in the last mission of Homefront as she escapes a naval blockade of San Diego to provide support to the player in the climatic final battle on the Golden Gate Bridge along with sister ship .