USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez, a Medal of Honor recipient in the Vietnam War.

USS Gonzalez on 6 June 2008
History
United States
NameGonzalez
NamesakeAlfredo Cantu Gonzalez
Ordered16 January 1991
BuilderBath Iron Works
Laid down3 February 1994
Launched18 February 1995
Acquired14 June 1996
Commissioned12 October 1996
HomeportNorfolk
Identification
MottoBeyond the Call
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeArleigh Burke-class destroyer
Displacement
  • Light: approx. 6,800 long tons (6,900 t)
  • Full: approx. 8,900 long tons (9,000 t)
Length505 ft (154 m)
Beam59 ft (18 m)
Draft31 ft (9.4 m)
Propulsion2 × shafts
SpeedIn excess of 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range4,400 nmi (8,100 km; 5,100 mi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × Sikorsky MH-60R
Gonzalez in the Atlantic, 2003

Service history

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November 12, 1996 USS Gonzalez grounded on a coral reef at approximately 0800, off the island of Sint Maarten, damaging her sonar dome and several blades on both screws, costing $10 million in damage returning to service September 1997.[citation needed]

The ship took part in Operation Allied Force, firing Tomahawk cruise missiles at Serbian targets in 1999. Gonzalez also assisted a cruise ship, Seabourn Spirit, after an abortive attack by pirates off the coast of Somalia in 2005.[4]

On 1 March 2006, the ship rescued the crew of an Iranian ship, whose engine and rudder were broken down since 18 February. The Iranian crew were returned to Iran. She was involved in the action of 18 March 2006 with suspected pirates, along with the cruiser USS Cape St. George. The two ships exchanged fire with the suspected pirates about 25 nautical miles (46 km) off the coast of Somalia. Initial reports indicated that one suspected pirate was killed and five others wounded.

On 17 July 2006, CNN reported that Gonzalez would be deployed to help in evacuation efforts of American citizens from Lebanon in the midst of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[5]

In May 2022, Gonzalez was homeported out of Naval Station Norfolk and a part of Destroyer Squadron 28, along with Carrier Strike Group 8 led by the USS Harry S. Truman.[6]

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Awards

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  • James F. Chezek Memorial Gunnery Award (1998)

References

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  1. ^ "Mk46 MOD 1 Optical Sight System". Kollmorgen. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  2. ^ Rockwell, David (12 July 2017). "The Kollmorgen/L-3 KEO Legacy". Teal Group. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  3. ^ Hart, Jackie (17 December 2023). "Decoy Launch System Installed Aboard USS Ramage". navy.mil. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  4. ^ "EODMU 8 Removes Inert RPG Remnant from Cruise Liner". U.S. Navy. 7 November 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  5. ^ James, Frank (26 July 2006). "The Swamp: Patriotism at sea". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  6. ^ "USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 23, 2022". usni.org. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
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