The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) has completed sea trials following a DDG midlife overhaul extended dry dock shipboard repair availability (EDSRA).
The 335-day EDSRA is said to be the longest and most extensive DDG overhaul in the history of Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF).
The US Naval Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan, conducted and led the first ever availability of DDG EDSRA to upgrade the destroyer’s systems and weapons, as well as perform other necessary repairs.
USS Curtis Wilbur combat systems officer fire controlman 1st class Deffey Moore said: "It is incredibly important right now for the junior sailors to work with senior personnel to learn not just about their new equipment but underway life in general."
Built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, USS Curtis Wilbur is the fourth of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15. Curtis was commissioned in Long Beach, California, on 19 March 1994.
The destroyer is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka in Japan where it supports the security and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Curtis Wilbur commanding officer, commander Hans De For said: "Curtis Wilbur worked with all of the ships on the waterfront to get our Sailors underway during the avail.
"With their help we were able to successfully complete this yard period with enough qualified watch standers to excel during sea trials."
Image: USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54). Photo: courtesy of US Navy, chief photographer’s Mate Mahlon K Miller.
