1st of 4 Replacement Destroyers Coming to Everett Next Week

June 30, 2016

Everett, Everett Economy

As the Navy decommissioned former frigates over the last 18 months the docks at Naval Station Everett have looked a bit empty. That will start to change next week as the USS Gridley arrives in port. Here’s an update from the base. You can learn more about the Gridley from their Facebook page here.

USS Gridley Arrives At New Everett Homeport July 7

destroyers

Expect to see the crew of the Gridley manning the rails into Everett next Thursday.

Naval Station Everett, Wash. – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) is scheduled to arrive at her new homeport of Naval Station Everett on July 7. Gridley is the first of four destroyers that will shift homeport to Everett, Washington over the next year.

Gridley was formerly stationed at Naval Base San Diego. The ship has a crew of approximately 335 sailors. Most have already moved to the area with their families ahead of the homeport shift.

“Gridley’s crew is excited about the change in home ports. We have been planning this move for a while and look forward to integrating with the Puget Sound communities,” said Gridley’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Marc Crawford.

The Navy announced in September 2015 that Gridley, USS Sampson (DDG 102), and USS Kidd (DDG 100) would be replacing three decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates at Naval Station Everett. In March 2016, the Navy announced that the Pre-Commissioning Unit Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) would also be assigned to Everett. Its commissioning is projected to occur in 2017.

Gridley is currently part of Carrier Strike Group One and routinely operates with Carrier Strike Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups, and Surface Action Groups. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are capable of sustained combat operations. These combatants operate in a network centric warfare environment and execute multi-mission tasking to include air, surface, undersea, space, and cyber warfare.

The Navy continually monitors and adjusts the location of its forces to protect and defend national security interests. The Navy’s replacement of retired frigates with newer, more technologically advanced destroyers in Everett demonstrates greater capabilities and capacity for maritime forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Naval Station Everett provides a secure platform for Navy and Coast Guard forces, important mission capabilities, and quality of life for service members and their families. The base is providing assistance to Gridley’s crew that includes transition services, family programs, and community resources to help them get settled in their new home.


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