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USS Bainbridge (DDG 96)

USS BAINBRIDGE is the 18th Flight IIA ARLEIGH BURKE - class guided missile destroyer and the fifth ship in the Navy named after Commodore William Bainbridge. The BAINBRIDGE received worldwide attention for her role in the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in April 2009. Pirates tried to hijack his ship, the MV MAERSK ALABAMA, off Somalia but crewmembers were able to retake the ship and the pirates retreated in a lifeboat, taking Captain Phillips with them. US Navy SEAL snipers aboard the BAINBRIDGE resolved the situation on April 12, killing three pirates and capturing one.

General Characteristics:Awarded: March 6, 1998
Keel laid: May 7, 2003
Launched: October 30, 2004
Commissioned: November 12, 2005
Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
Propellers: two
Length: 508,5 feet (155 meters)
Beam: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
Draft: 30,5 feet (9.3 meters)
Displacement: approx. 9,200 tons full load
Speed: 32 knots
Aircraft: two SH-60 (LAMPS 3) helicopters
Armament: one Mk-45 5"/62 caliber lightweight gun, two Mk-41 VLS for Standard missiles and Tomahawk ASM/LAM, one 20mm Phalanx CIWS, two Mk-32 triple torpedo tubes for Mk-50 and Mk-46 torpedoes, two Mk 38 Mod 2 25mm machine gun systems
Homeport: Norfolk, Va.
Crew: approx. 320


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS BAINBRIDGE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The shield represents the protective power of the Aegis Weapons system. The Dark Blue and Gold, colors traditionally associated with the Navy, represent the sea and excellence. The anchor reflects the maritime tradition and achievement. The four silver stars recall the previous ships named in honor of Commodore Bainbridge. The ship's wheel symbolizes navigation. Gold denotes honor. The four bosses, the circular knoblike objects, reflect the warships commanded by Commodore Bainbridge: GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESSEX, PHILADELPHIA and CONSTITUTION. The Congressional Gold Medal centered on the wheel, represents the award received while commanding the ship CONSTITUTION, for it's December 1812 victory against HMS JAVA. This highest honor was awarded for his outstanding heroic service during the battle when the CONSTITUTION's ship's wheel was destroyed and he replaced it with the JAVA's wheel. The olive wreath denotes peace and Commodore Bainbridge's diplomatic missions in the Mediterranean. The border indicates distinction and 'battleship gray', is the primary color for the destroyer. Black denotes dignity. Born during the American Revolution, the thirteen pellets allude to the original 13 colonies, including New Jersey, the birthplace of Commodore Bainbridge.

The Crest:

The bald eagle, the symbol of National defense, power and authority, exemplifies Commodore Bainbridge's patriotism. The crossed tridents signify sea power; also, denoting the ship's modern technology, the AEGIS system and electronic warfare capabilities of the combat weapon system.

Supporters:

The crossed cannon barrels symbolize the past naval weaponry and naval readiness.

The Seal:

The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a White field enclosed by a Blue oval border edged on the outside with Gold rope and bearing the name 'USS BAINBRIDGE' at top and 'DDG 96' in base all in Gold.

The Motto:

Red, white and blue are the national colors. The motto embodies the Commodore's spirit and attitude throughout his military service.



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USS BAINBRIDGE Image Gallery:



The photos below were taken by me and show the BAINBRIDGE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on November 9, 2008.



The photos below were taken by me and show the USS BAINBRIDGE passing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on her way to Naval Base Norfolk, Va, on October 28, 2010. The BAINBRIDGE is returning home after participating in exercise Joint Warrior held off Great Britain earlier in October. The last two photos show the BAINBRIDGE moored at Naval Base Norfolk on October 29.



The photos below were taken by me and show the USS BAINBRIDGE at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard, Norfolk, Va., undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on May 6, 2012.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS BAINBRIDGE at Marine Hydraulics Industries (MHI) Ship Repair & Services shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on May 8, 2014.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS BAINBRIDGE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va. on October 23, 2014.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS BAINBRIDGE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va. on April 13, 2016.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS BAINBRIDGE at the Marine Hydraulics Shipyard at Norfolk, Va., undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on October 12, 2016.



The clip and the photos below were taken by me and show the USS BAINBRIDGE arriving at Kiel, Germany, on June 15, 2018. The port visit marks the end of BALTOPS 2018 and allows the ship to participate in the Kiel Week celebrations.






The photos below were taken by me during an open ship event aboard USS BAINBRIDGE at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on June 17, 2018.

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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS BAINBRIDGE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va. on September 21, 2018.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the USS BAINBRIDGE along with sistership USS COLE (DDG 67) at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., on September 6, 2022. Both ships are at the end of a seven-month deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Operations. They conducted an ammo offload at Yorktown from September 4-9 before returning home to Naval Base Norfolk on September 9.




The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the USS BAINBRIDGE undergoing a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair in Norfolk, Va. on October 9, 2023.



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