USS Kidd And 325 More Sailors Headed To Everett

325 sailors plus a lot of family members are headed to Naval Station Everett Monday as the USS Kidd comes to its new home. This is the third destroyer to come to Everett this year as the Navy replaces ships retired over the past two years. Here’s more from Kristin Ching at Naval Station Everett…

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) is scheduled to arrive at its new homeport of Naval Station Everett on Monday, Nov 21.

Kidd, formerly homeported at Naval Base San Diego, is the third destroyer that the Navy announced would shift homeport to Everett throughout this year.

The ship’s crew of approximately 325 sailors will be relocating to the area, many with their families.

“The crew has been preparing for this homeport shift for nearly a year” said Kidd Commanding Officer Cmdr. Timothy Long.  “The Kidd family is eager to finish the process of making Naval Station Everett our home as we join the Pacific Northwest team and continue our preparations for deployment.”

Kidd’s Command Master Chief Paulette Brock said “The command has worked diligently to support our sailors and their families through this homeport shift while still meeting all operational requirements. It will be great to see all of our planning and hard work pay off as the Kidd team continues to ‘Keep it 100’ in our new home of Everett.”

The Navy announced in September 2015 that USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102), and USS Kidd (DDG 100) would replace three decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates at Naval Station Everett. Gridley completed its homeport shift to Everett in July.

In March 2016, the Navy announced Pre-Commissioning Unit Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) would also be assigned to Everett. Its commissioning is projected for 2017.

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’s key mission is to provide a secure platform for Navy and Coast Guard forces, important mission capabilities, and quality of life for service members and their families. The base provides assistance to its homeported ships such as transition services, family programs, and community resources to help them get settled in their new home.

You can learn more about the USS Kidd on their Facebook page.