USS Preble

not to be confused with the many other Prebles.

## USS Preble (DDG-88)

USS Preble at sea

**USS *Preble* (DDG-88)** is an *Arleigh Burke*-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is the sixth U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Commodore Edward Preble, who served in the American Revolutionary War and was one of the early leaders of the Navy.

USS *Preble* is the 38th destroyer of her class. She was the 17th ship of this class to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and construction began on 22 June 2000. She was launched on 1 June 2001 and was christened on 9 June 2001. On 9 November 2002, she was commissioned during a ceremony at the Commonwealth Pier/World Trade Center in Boston, Massachusetts. At her commissioning ceremony USS *Preble* was docked bow to bow with USS *Constitution*, the command of her namesake. The ceremony included a symbolic welcoming aboard of the spirit of Commodore Preble signaled by the ringing of chimes. Among the speakers at the commissioning were U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch, then Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vernon E. Clark USN (Ret.) and journalist and sailor Walter Cronkite.

### Service History

#### 2000s

*Preble* departed San Diego in June 2004 for her maiden deployment with the USS *Belleau Wood* Expeditionary Strike Group. *Preble* returned home after six months on 17 December 2004. On 20 January 2007, *Preble* departed for a routine deployment with the USS *John C. Stennis* carrier strike group. *Preble* supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Expeditionary Strike Force training and exercise Valiant Shield 2007 during the deployment. She returned to her homeport after seven months on 29 August 2007. In 2008, *Preble* successfully completed an accelerated training cycle and passed a rigorous Inspection Board and Survey (INSURV) in May. That fall, *Preble* executed the integrated training phase with the *Stennis* Strike Group in preparation for a deployment in 2009.

#### 2010s

*Preble* deployed on 17 January 2009 for a routine deployment with the *Stennis* Carrier Strike Group where she spent five months in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility, participated in Exercise Foal Eagle and culminated the deployment with a diplomatic port visit in Tahiti, French Polynesia. *Preble* returned to home port on 15 June 2009. In 2010 *Preble* shifted to align with the USS *Ronald Reagan* Strike Group and hosted sailors from the Royal New Zealand Navy. The *Anzac*-class frigate HMNZS *Te Kaha* and replenishment tanker HMNZS *Endeavour* conducted exercises with *Preble* during a 3-day underway period. Additionally, *Preble* was called to act as the lead ship for a Destroyer Squadron Seven multi-group sail that showcased the ship's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

In September 2010, *Preble* conducted an Operational Test Launch of two Block 3C Tomahawk missiles and one Block 4E Tomahawk missile off the coast of San Nicholas Island. The launch was successful and aided in the further development of the weapon system. *Preble* participated in an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Course at sea as well as three weeks of exercises with *Ronald Reagan* and sister ships in Destroyer Squadron Seven during the Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in October to November 2010. In November 2010, *Preble* successfully conducted a Mark 54 torpedo technical evaluation in support of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center's development of the torpedo. *Preble* accurately fired six MK 54 torpedoes during the evaluation.

In all, *Preble* had a successful 2010 and was awarded the Destroyer Squadron Seven Battle Efficiency Award which recognizes sustained superior performance, operational effectiveness, and continuous readiness. In addition, the ship earned the Black E (Maritime Warfare Excellence), Blue E (Logistics Management and Supply Excellence), Yellow E (Ship Safety) and Red E (Engineering/Survivability Excellence).

In February 2011, *Preble* deployed with Carrier Strike Group Seven. *Preble* was a first responder to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The ship conducted humanitarian and disaster relief efforts off the coast of northeastern Japan.

After spending nearly a month off the coast of Japan, *Preble* began to conduct a series of fisheries patrols. From 28 February to 6 March 2011, she conducted these patrols in the Exclusive Economic Zones of various Pacific island nations as part of the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. With modern technology, fishing vessels have increased their capability and capacity to catch more fish, and consequently, it is imperative that the rights of small island nations to their EEZ be preserved to prevent illegal fishing and exploitation of their ecosystems. EEZ patrols are part of an ongoing partnership between the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard to reduce and eliminate illegal, unregulated, unreported (IUU) fishing and effectively enforce fishing regulations across the Western Pacific.

*Preble*'s mission supported the United States' long-standing partnership with the maritime nations of Micronesia, Oceania, and the Marshall Islands, with the focus on IUU fishing in the EEZs of these island nations and on the high seas itself. During the course of this operation, *Preble* encountered multiple vessels conducting fishing operations in EEZ. All the data was reported to USCG District 14 for evaluation and follow-on action via the embarked Coast Guard liaison team. Also, *Preble*'s embarked detachment of Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters from squadron HSL-43 was used to conduct routine aerial patrols, enabling the surveillance team to search multiple areas of interest.

She then continued west to operate as part of the Seventh and Fifth Fleets. *Preble* came under the command of the Fifth Fleet in May 2011 and conducted counter-piracy operations as part of Combined Task Force 151. *Preble* returned home in late 2011.

On 25 August 2011, BAE Systems Ship Repair was awarded a $14.5 million contract, in addition to a previous contract, to upgrade and repair *Preble*.

In 2019 it was announced that Preble would receive the HELIOS close in weapons system in 2021. USS Preble will be the first destroyer to be equipped with a high-energy laser to counter surface craft and unmanned aerial systems. The destroyer will also receive a BAE Systems Ship Repair upgrade, bringing the ship up to date in terms of capability and complexity.

### Awards

* Battle "E" - (2005, 2010, 2013)
* Humanitarian Service Medal - (Mar-May 2011)
* Spokane Trophy Award - (2013)
* Middle Pacific (MIDPAC) Energy Conservation Award - (2015)