USS Dewey (DDG-105)

History

She was authorized on 13 September 2002 and was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. The keel was laid down on 4 October 2006 at the company's shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. On 26 January 2008, Dewey was christened in a ceremony in Pascagoula, by Deborah Mullen, the wife of Admiral Mike Mullen. Dewey was commissioned in Seal Beach, California on 6 March 2010, as the 55th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. This is the first ship commissioning for the City of Seal Beach.

In April 2013, Dewey was outfitted with a Laser Weapon System (LaWS). This is an experimental weapon which can be used to disable small boats and drones.

On 26 May 2017, Dewey carried out a "freedom of navigation operation" (FONOP) in waters claimed by China in the South China Sea. According to Chinese sources, Dewey was "warned and expelled" from Chinese waters near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. According to the US Navy, the FONOP proceeded as planned by peacefully transiting the area, despite verbal challenges and approaches by Chinese vessels.

On 16 June 2017, Dewey got underway to assist after a collision with the Japanese-owned (NYK Line) Philippine-flagged container ship . On 4 September 2017, she deployed to the Port of Los Angeles as part of the 2017 fleet week activities. In October 2017, Dewey spilled oil near the Tijuana River.

In November 2019, the Optical Dazzling Interdictor laser weapon was installed on Dewey. She was the first ship to receive the new weapons system.

The ship participated in Exercise Malabar 2024 which was held from 8 to 18 October.

Deployments

• 29 July 2011 – 27 February 2012 Maiden deployment
• 22 August 2014 – 4 June 2015 West Pac-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf
• 31 March 2017 – 31 July 2017 Western Pacific
• 6 February 2018 – 11 May 2018 Western Pacific

Awards

• Navy Unit Commendation - (Sep 2011–Jan 2012, Jul 2012–May 2013)
• Battle "E" - (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
• Spokane Trophy Award - (2018)

References

References

1. "USS Dewey (DDG 105)". [[United States Army Institute of Heraldry]].
2. "Dewey's Legacy" 27 February 2010 page AA6 ''Los Angeles Times''
3. (26 January 2008). "Navy NewsStand – Eye on the Fleet". [[United States Navy]].
4. Gary Robbins [http://sciencedude.freedomblogging.com/2010/02/27/warship-leaves-o-c-to-avoid-tsunami/91203/ Warship leaves O.C. to avoid tsunami] {{webarchive. link. (2 March 2010 27 February 2010 ''Orange County Register'')
5. "China protests U.S. warship entering South China Sea - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn".
6. Standifer, Cid. (29 May 2017). "UPDATED: A Brief History of U.S. Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea". USNI News.
7. (16 June 2017). "Bryce Benson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know".
8. (5 October 2017). "USS Dewey Leaks Oil Near Mouth of Tijuana River". KNSD.
9. (2020-02-27). "Navy arms destroyers with new laser weapons".
10. Seck, Hope Hodge. (21 February 2020). "The Navy Has Installed the First Drone-Stopping Laser on a Destroyer".
11. (2024-10-18). "CLOSING CEREMONY OF MALABAR 2024".
12. Affairs, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Richard L. J. Gourley, USS Sterett Public. "USS Dewey Returns to San Diego After Deployment".