USS Gettysburg Named Best Ship in the Atlantic Fleet

The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) was awarded the 2013 Battenberg Cup by Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, May 6.

An annual honor that rewards the “best all around” in crew achievement, the Battenberg Cup is presented to only one of the more than 100 eligible surface ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines in the Atlantic Fleet.

“When every Sailor is committed to the same mission, to the same goals, and to the same principles – from the wardroom to our great chief petty officer’s mess, down to our newest seamen – we are guaranteed success in everything for which we strive,” said Gettysburg Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Daniel Hacker.

“Our Sailors have been through an incredible amount in the past year. This award is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the ship and our nation.”

Gettysburg’s success starts with a focus on “people excellence.”

Through a steady focus on the positive development of Sailors as a command priority, the crew was awarded the Gold Anchor award for personnel program excellence. The ship had the Atlantic Fleet’s lowest attrition rate and nearly doubled the Navy-wide advancement rate during last fall’s advancement cycle. The excellence continued with 99 percent of Gettysburg petty officers qualifying as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists.

In addition, the crew featured a finalist in both the Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) Sailor of the Year and Shiphandler of the Year competitions. Three Gettysburg Sailors received the prestigious Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award, while another crewmember received the 2013 AFCEA Copernicus Award for Information Warfare Excellence.

Backed by a long-term commitment to junior officer training and development, Gettysburg recently returned from deployment with every surface warfare officer qualified as an underway officer of the deck. Furthermore, every qualified surface warfare officer continued their development with a focus on engineering, and retuned with the engineering officer of the watch qualification.

Lt. Cmdr Scott Jones was selected for early command-the ‘crown jewel’ of the surface warfare profession; he is headed for USS Pioneer (MCM 9), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan.

“In literally every mission area, the officers stepped up and led from the front in ways I have never before seen,” said Capt. Brad Cooper, Gettysburg commanding officer. “And the Chief’s Mess — easily the best with whom I have ever served — just plain set the standard high. They positively motivated and inspired the crew to greater achievements, each and every day.”

“We’ve also been exceptionally fortunate to have been a part of a great team, led by Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 and anchored by our Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group shipmates.”

Having already been awarded the 2013 Battle ‘E’ in every mission area, the crew achieved the highest overall score during pre-deployment certifications of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Strike Group and received the Surface Force Unit Tactics Award for excellence in all warfare areas.

Sustaining operational excellence throughout the year began with excellence in material readiness. Gettysburg’s engineers have been top tier, having now gone more than 70,000 miles without a main propulsion casualty. As air and missile defense commander for the Harry S. Truman Strike Group, the ship maintained 100 percent SPY radar readiness throughout deployment, going more than nine months without a casualty.

Demonstrating superb performance and dedication, the ship’s culinary specialists have competed in multiple competitions, taking the prize for excellence each time. The ship’s servicemen and logistics specialists have maintained 100 percent accountability throughout the year.

“It has been an incredible time to be aboard this ship,” says Navy Counselor First Class Raymond Wiemer. “Our Sailors have advanced at incredible rates, all while achieving the

highest levels of qualification through focus and committed teamwork. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to be a part of such a successful and positive team.”

Gettysburg is only the fifth cruiser in the last 106 years to receive the award, competing against larger ships including aircraft carriers and amphibious ships. It began as a competition between American and British Sailors. In 1941, the same trophy that Gettysburg will receive, went down with the battleship USS West Virginia (BB 47), and was raised with her following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Since then, the cup has been refinished and the competition between American ships has resumed, with the silver cup representing the best of the best.

Homeported in Mayport, Florida Gettysburg recently returned from a nine month deployment with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to the 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. During the deployment, the award-winning crew actively participated in sustained operations with foreign navies, provided humanitarian aid for multiple stranded mariners, wrote several standard operating procedures currently in use, and checked in more than 17,000 aircraft as air and missile defense commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Press Release, May 12, 2014; Image: Wikimedia