SHIP CHIEF (MCM 14)
The commissioning of the mine countermeasures ship, Chief (MCM 14) will take
place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 1994 at the Naval Amphibious Base,
Little Creek, Virginia. Hundreds of active-duty and retired U.S. Navy Chief
Petty Officers are expected to attend the ceremony for the ship named in their
honor.
Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jeremy "Mike" Boorda will be the ceremony's
principal speaker. Mrs. Susan Bushey, wife of former Master Chief Petty
Officer of the Navy Duane R. Bushey, is the ship's Sponsor, and will also be
present.
The last Avenger Class ship currently authorized to be built by Congress,
Chief provides enhanced mine-hunting, minesweeping and mine neutralization
capabilities through the use of advanced hull designs and state-of-the-art
combat systems which complement the Navy's focus on operations in the littoral
regions around the world "Forward ...From the Sea." One previous Navy ship was
named Chief, a minecraft (AM 14) which served in World War II and Korea.
The ship is powered by diesel engines that drive two controllable, reversible
pitch propellers. It features a glass-reinforced, plastic-sheathed wooden hull
and degaussing system in order to maintain a very low magnetic signature.
Chief is 224 feet in length, has a beam of 39 feet and displaces approximately
1,320 tons fully loaded. The ship will carry a crew of six officers and 76
enlisted personnel. Lieutenant Commander Timothy Garrold will be the ship's
commanding officer.
An open invitation has been extended to all active-duty and retired Chief
Petty Officers to attend the ceremony. For further information and for media
coverage, please contact Senior Chief Ted Brown at (804) 444-6887.
