Navy

Christening of Michael

The U.S. Navy christened the newest destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), Saturday, June 18 during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at the General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.

A crowd listens to Senator Susan Collins speak at the christening of the Michael Monsoor
A crowd listens to Senator Susan Collins speak at the christening of the Michael Monsoor

The second ship in the Zumwalt-class of destroyers, DDG-1001 is named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor. Sally Monsoor, petty officer Monsoor’s mother, served as the ship’s sponsor.

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire served as the principal speaker. Highlighting the event was Mrs. Monsoor breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship – a time-honored Navy tradition.

«I’m tremendously honored to be a part of this christening, the next step in getting DDG-1001 to the fleet in order to conduct prompt and sustained maritime operations», said the Honorable Janine Davidson, under secretary of the Navy. «DDG-1001 is an extremely capable and versatile ship with an incredible namesake. I have every confidence that the ship and crew will both live up to and honor Petty Officer Monsoor’s legacy as the ship’s motto implies – You Never Quit».

Retired Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire speaks about the heroism of Michael Monsoor, namesake of the second destroyer in the Zumwalt class
Retired Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire speaks about the heroism of Michael Monsoor, namesake of the second destroyer in the Zumwalt class

On September 29, 2006 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with two other SEALs and several Iraqi Army soldiers when an insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the position. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Instead he dropped onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, inflicting a mortal wound. Monsoor’s actions that day saved the lives of his two teammates and the accompanying Iraqi soldiers. His Medal of Honor citation reads, «by his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service».

Sally Monsoor, mother of Michael Monsoor and sponsor of the ship named in his honor, christens the vessel on Saturday at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine
Sally Monsoor, mother of Michael Monsoor and sponsor of the ship named in his honor, christens the vessel on Saturday at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine

The future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) includes new technologies and will serve as a multi-mission platform capable of operating as an integral part of naval, joint or combined maritime forces. The ship features two advanced gun systems firing long-range, land-attack projectiles that reach up to 63 nautical miles/72.5 miles/116.7 km These guns will provide precision, high volume and persistent fire support to forces ashore with an approximate five-fold improvement in naval surface fire range. In addition, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will be the second U.S. Navy surface combatant to employ an innovative and highly flexible Integrated Power System, providing potentially significant energy savings that are well-suited to enable future high energy weapons and sensors.

Construction on the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) commenced in March 2010, with the keel laying ceremony held in May 2013. The Michael Monsoor is 610 feet/186 m long, with a displacement of approximately 15,761 long tonnes/16,014 metric tonnes when fully loaded.

Left to Right: Sara, Martha, Sally and Naomi Monsoor
Left to Right: Sara, Martha, Sally and Naomi Monsoor

 

Features unique to DDG 1000:

  • Eighty peripheral Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells, two Advanced Gun System (AGS) 155-mm guns, and two 30-mm Close In Guns (CIGs);
  • A stern boat ramp for two 7-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), designed with room for two 11-meter RHIBs;
  • Aviation capacity for two MH-60R or one MH-60R and 3 VT Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs);
  • It will be powered by an Integrated Power System (IPS) with an Integrated Fight Through Power (IFTP). This is created by an Advanced Induction Motor (AIM);
  • A superstructure with integrated apertures and low signature profile;
  • Advanced sensors including a SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar;
  • A wave-piercing «Tumblehome» hull form.
Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor
Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor

 

Ship Characteristics

Length 610 feet/186 m
Beam 80.7 feet/24.6 m
Draft 27.6 feet/8.4 m
Displacement 15,761 long tonnes/16,014 metric tonnes
Speed 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h
Installed Power 104,600 hp/78 MW
Crew Size 158 – Includes Aviation Detachment

 

Next-generation destroyer Zumwalt (DDG-1000) underway for the first time conducting at-sea tests and trials in the Atlantic Ocean on December 7, 2015

 

Ships

Ship Laid down Launched Commissioned Homeport
USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) 11-17-2011 10-28-2013
USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) 05-23-2013  06-21-2016
USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002)
The emblem of the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001)
The emblem of the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001)