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General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books

USS Mahan's COs

About the Ship's Coat of Arms

USS Mahan History

About the name "MAHAN"

Image Gallery

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USS Mahan (DDG 72)

USS MAHAN is the 22^nd guided missile destroyer in the ARLEIGH BURKE class and the twelfth ship in that class built by Bath Iron Works in Maine.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: April 8, 1992
	Keel laid: August 17, 1995
	Launched: June 29, 1996
	Commissioned: February 14, 1998
	Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
	Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
	Propellers: two
	Blades on each Propeller: five
	Length: 505,25 feet (154 meters)
	Beam: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
	Draft: 30,5 feet (9.3 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 8.300 tons full load
	Speed: 30+ knots
	Aircraft: None. But LAMPS 3 electronics installed on landing deck for coordinated DDG/helicopter ASW operations.
	Armament: two Mk 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk; Harpoon missile launchers, one Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun, two Phalanx CIWS, Mk 46 torpedoes (from two triple tube mounts)
	Homeport: Norfolk, VA
	Crew: 23 Officers, 24 Chief Petty Officers and 291 Enlisted

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Crew List:

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

Click here to view the list.

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Click here to see which USS MAHAN memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS MAHAN Cruise Books:

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USS MAHAN's Commanding Officers:

Period	Name
February 14, 1998 - March 1999	Commander Michael L. James, USN
March 1999 - September 22, 2000	Commander James R. Yohe, USN
September 22, 2000 - March 18, 2002	Commander David C. Robertson, USN
March 18, 2002 - January 23, 2004	Commander Terry Mosher, USN
January 23, 2004 - October 19, 2005	Commander Charles W. Wydler, USN
October 19, 2005 - April 2007	Commander Frank J. Olmo, USN
April 2007 - October 2008	Commander Richard M. Miller, Jr., USN
October 2008 - March 2010	Commander Stephen F. Murphy, USN
March 2010 - November 2011	Commander Kurt A. Mondlak, USN
November 2011 - present	Commander Adam McGregor Aycock, USN

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

(Click on the Coat of Arms for a larger version)

The Shield:

Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. The trident, symbolizing sea power, denotes DDG 72’s warfare capabilities and underscores the importance of a strong Navy. The gauntlet and torch are adapted from the previous USS MAHAN’s emblem and highlight the ship’s namesake, Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, as the father of all modern navies. The tines of the trident represent the three previous ships named MAHAN, as well as the Officer, Chief Petty Officer and Enlisted Corps of personnel which man the ship.

The Crest:

The central star commemorates the second USS MAHAN’s World War II battle honors (five battle stars), earned before she was sunk by Kamikazes. The twelve small stars on the gauntlet denote the battle stars of the third USS MAHAN for service in the Vietnam War. The unfurled scroll underscores Mahan as the author of "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1660-1783)". The compass rose and gauntlet represent Mahan’s influence of sea power, its strategy and geopolitical importance worldwide. The wreath combines laurel and palm to symbolize honor and victory.

The Motto:

The motto was chosen in remembrance of Admiral Arleigh Burke in memory of his many contributions to the U.S. Navy. During the commissioning of the USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51), Admiral Burke issued the following challenge to those who man this class of ship: "This ship is built to fight; you’d better know how."

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History of USS MAHAN:

Date	Event
July 17, 1994	Start Fabrication
August 17, 1995	Keel laid
February 6, 1996	Mast stepping ceremony
June 29, 1996	Launched and christened. MAHAN’s sponsor was Mrs. Jennie Lou Arthur, wife of Admiral Stanley R. Arthur, USN (Retired).
December 19, 1996	AEGIS Light Off
July 21, 1997	Alpha/Bravo Trials
August 5, 1997	Charlie Trials
August 12, 1997	Delta Trials
August 22, 1997	Ship Custody Transfer
October 17, 1997	Crew moved aboard
January 16, 1998	Sailaway
February 14, 1998	Commissioning ceremony in Tampa, Fla.
February 19, 2000	Departed Norfolk, Va. on its maiden deployment to the Arabian Gulf as part of the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Battle Group.
August 18, 2000	Returned to Norfolk, Va.

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About the Ship’s Name, about Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan:

The ship is named in honor of Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, USN (1840-1914) who served with the union's blockading squadrons during the Civil War, and for two terms as President of the Naval War College. Admiral Mahan is a renowned U.S. Naval theoretician and is best known as the author of the book "Influence of Sea Power on History", which with his other scholarly works, continues to influence strategic and geopolitical thinking throughout the world.

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USS MAHAN Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me on June 16 and 17, 2007, and show the MAHAN during a port visit to Kiel, Germany, after her participation in BALTOPS 2007 in the Baltic Sea.

The photos below were taken by me and show the MAHAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 29, 2010.

The photos below were taken by me and show the MAHAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 6, 2012.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MAHAN undergoing a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair Norfolk, Va., on April 29, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MAHAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 6, 2015.

The photo below was taken by Steven Collingwood and shows the MAHAN passing Fort Monroe, Hampton, Va., after departure from Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on December 4, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Steven Collingwood and show the MAHAN passing Fort Monroe, Hampton, Va., after departure from Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on January 11, 2016.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MAHAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 4, 2017.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the MAHAN at Marine Hydraulics Industries (MHI) Ship Repair & Services shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on September 21, 2018.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MAHAN at Marine Hydraulics Industries (MHI) Ship Repair & Services shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on December 26, 2021.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS MAHAN Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 9, 2023.

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