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USS Ross (DDG 71)

USS ROSS is the 21st ship in the ARLEIGH BURKE - class of AEGIS guided missile destroyers and the first ship in the Navy named after Capt. Donald K. Ross. In June 2014, ROSS shifted her homeport from Norfolk, Va., to Rota, Spain, and remained forward-deployed for more than 8 years. She shifted her homeport back to Norfolk in September 2022.

General Characteristics:Keel Laid: April 10, 1995
Launched: April 20, 1996
Commissioned: June 28, 1997
Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
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 ROSS. 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 gold and dark blue on the shield of the coat of arms represent the Navy. The anchor stands for the anchorage at Pearl Harbor, attacked December 7, 1941, by Japanese aircraft, bringing the United States into World War II. The lightning flashes symbolize the unexpected assault and resulting bloodshed. The ship's propeller represents Warrant Officer Ross and the badge of a Navy machinist, a post he held at the time of the action. His heroism during the attack is recalled by the inverted silver star which stands for the Medal of Honor he won for valor on board the battleship USS NEVADA. The shape of the shield refers to the Aegis armament and capabilities of DDG 71. Gold stands for excellence, red for courage.

The Crest:

The griffin on the crest, noted for vigilance, intelligence and valor, reflects the versatility of the DDG 7l's operating capabilities. It holds a trident denoting the range of USS ROSS's offensive equipment and firepower.



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History of USS ROSS:

USS ROSS' keel was laid on April 10, 1995 in Pascagoula, Miss., and her christening was held one year later. ROSS' plankowning crew moved aboard in April 1997 and sailed her to Galveston, Texas for the Commissioning on 28 June 1997.

After commissioning, ROSS sailed on a six-week Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trial and then traveled back to Pascagoula for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). ROSS then returned to her homeport of Portsmouth, Virginia and completed the Basic Training Phase including Engineering Certification, CART II, TSTA I, and III, Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification, Final Evaluation Period (FEP), and Logistics Management Assessment.

ROSS completed the Intermediate Training Phase and in early 1999, she sailed with the THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group for a Joint Task Force Exercise in preparation for a six-month deployment commencing on March 26, 1999. During this deployment to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, ROSS participated in Operation Allied Force. On September 22, she returned to Norfolk, Va.

On May 15, 2000, she got underway for Northern Europe to participate in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2000. She served as flagship for Commander Carrier Group Eight and together with the USS PETERSON (DD 969) she operated with more than 50 ships from numerous European countries. During the exercise the destroyer visited Stockholm, Sweden and Kiel in Germany before returning to the United States in late June.

In September 2001, USS ROSS deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and conducting operations in support of UN resolutions against Iraq. During the deployment, ROSS was part of the THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) Battle Group.

On September 11, 2001 ROSS deployed on three-hour notice in order to defend the United States' eastern seaboard in response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. ROSS acted for a time as Regional Air Defense Commander, in support of Commander, North American Air Defense Command. ROSS was also recognized that year with the prestigious Arizona Memorial Trophy for being the most combat ready ship in the US Navy.

Just weeks after the attacks, on October 17, 2001, ROSS again deployed, this time to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, ROSS played a crucial role on the global war on terrorism and provided much needed air defense and strike capabilities. Returning from deployment on April 16, 2002, ROSS maintained her combat readiness by participating in numerous exercises, including BALTOPS 2003 in the Baltic Sea, and completed the inter-deployment training cycle to prepare for her next deployment.

On April 30, 2004, ROSS left Norfolk, Virginia, on her third deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ship completed four months of operations in the FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet areas of responsibility, conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations and participating in the ceremonies surrounding the 50th commemoration of the Allied assault at Normandy.

Shortly after her return in August 2004, ROSS commenced an accelerated basic training cycle and entered Metro Machine Shipyard for her first docking maintenance period in March 2005. She emerged in June, and then spent the summer pursuing the balance of her warfare certifications. In September 2005, she was selected to replace USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG 51) as flagship for UNITAS 47-06, after a significant portion of GATES' crew was displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. With only two weeks’ notice, ROSS put to sea for a two-month deployment embarking Commander, Destroyer Squadron SIX and sailing to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the multinational exercise. ROSS returned on Thanksgiving Day 2005, and then began preparations for another overseas movement, departing Norfolk in February 2006 to participate in NEPTUNE WARRIOR 061 in the waters surrounding Scotland.

Upon return to Norfolk, ROSS’ crew had only one month to prepare for a six-month deployment in support of Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the Mediterranean Sea. ROSS deployed on May 1, 2006, as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG 2). During the deployment ROSS conducted more than 850 queries of merchant shipping, over 40 helicopter landings, and traveled more than 45,000 nautical miles. ROSS returned to Norfolk November 6, 2006, having spent 10 of the past 14 months at sea.

2007 began with ROSS preparing for a scheduled February INSURV (Board of Inspection and Survey). That inspection was moved to August and in April ROSS entered BAE Shipyard for a two and a half month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). During the SRA ROSS received the Tactical Tomahawk WCS (TTWCS), berthing modifications, SHF SATCOM, and the crew performed major preservation work throughout the ship.

In 2007 ROSS completed major Engineering inspections as well as INSURV. On February 20, 2008, ROSS deployed to the FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet areas of responsibility for a 5 1/2 month deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. On June 28, 2008, ROSS celebrated her 11th birthday, having been placed in commission 11 years earlier.



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About the Destroyer’s Name, about Capt. Donald K. Ross:

Donald Kirby Ross was born in Beverly, Kansas, on December 8, 1910, and enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1929. He rose through the enlisted ranks, was warranted Machinist in 1940, and joined the crew of the battleship USS NEVADA (BB 36) in November 1940.

As a junior Warrant Officer onboard USS NEVADA, Ross earned the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary courage and disregard of his own life during the attack on the Fleet at Pearl Harbor" on December 7, 1941, according to the citation accompanying his award.

"When his station in the forward dynamo room became almost untenable due to smoke, steam and heat," the citation continues, "he forced his men to leave that station and preformed all the duties himself until blinded and unconscious. Upon being rescued and resuscitated, he returned and secured the forward dynamo room and proceeded to the after dynamo room, where he was later again rendered unconscious by exhaustion. Upon recovering consciousness, he returned to his station, where he remained until directed to abandon it."

Ross was presented the Medal of Honor by Admiral Chester Nimitz on April 18, 1942, and was commissioned Ensign in June 1942. Later in the war, he also participated in the landing at Normandy and Southern France.

Ross retired in July 1956 as a Captain after 27 years of consecutive active duty aboard every type of surface ship then afloat.



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The photos below were taken by me and show the USS ROSS at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, after participating in BALTOPS 2000 in June 2000.



The photos below were taken by Brian Barton on July 23, 2002, when USS ROSS was at Naval Base Norfolk.



The photos below were taken by me and show the USS ROSS moored alongside USS VELLA GULF (CG 72) at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on June 20-23, 2003, after participating in BALTOPS 2003.



The photos below were taken by Carl Groll on June 20, 2003, and show the ROSS entering the German port of Kiel at the end of BALTOPS 2003.



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



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



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the ROSS at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 28, 2013.



The photo below was taken by me and shows the ROSS anchored off Greenock, UK, on March 30, 2014, prior to her participation in exercise Joint Warrior 141 off the coast of Scotland.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the ROSS at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 8, 2014.



The photos below were taken by me and show the ROSS departing Royal Navy Base Faslane in Scotland on October 4, 2015, to join Exercise Joint Warrior 152.



The photos below were taken by me and show the ROSS at Naval Base Toulon, France. All but the last photo were taken on September 15, 2016. ROSS arrived on September 13, to join the strike group formed around the French aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE (R 91). The last photo shows the ROSS with the aircraft carrier behind her during sunrise on September 19. Later that day, the ships departed for the eastern Mediterranean to conduct strikes against the Islamic State.



The video and the photos below were taken by me and show the ROSS departing HMNB Clyde in Faslane, UK, to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 181 on April 22, 2018. USS ROSS is presently on her sixth forward-deployed patrol.






The clip and the photos below were taken by me and show the USS ROSS arriving at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on June 21, 2019, after participating in BALTOPS 2019.






The photos below were taken by me during an open ship event aboard USS ROSS as part of the Kiel Week at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on June 22, 2019.

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The photos below were taken by Sven Scheller and show USS ROSS at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on September 24, 2020. USS ROSS is presently on her tenth forward-deployed patrol and is using Naval Base Kiel to replenish and refuel while operating in the Baltic Sea.



The photos below were taken by Sven Scheller and show USS ROSS departing Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on September 24, 2020. USS ROSS is presently on her tenth forward-deployed patrol and it's ROSS' second visit to Kiel during her current patrol.



The photo below was taken by Helwin Scharn and shows USS ROSS at her homeport Rota, Spain, on May 22, 2022.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS ROSS at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair in Norfolk, Va., on October 9, 2023.



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