USS Higgins (DDG-76)

USS Higgins (DDG-76) is a Flight I Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was commissioned in 1999 and named after William R. Higgins (1945–1990), a United States Marine Corps Colonel who was captured and held hostage in February 1988 by a pro-Iranian group allied with Hezbollah while serving on a United Nations peacekeeping mission (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, UNTSO) in Lebanon. He was killed in captivity by July 1990.

President George Bush awarded Colonel Higgins the Presidential Citizen’s Award two years after the colonel died. Then, another two years later (17 February 1994), the president named the ship (that was about to be built) after Colonel Higgins.

2010 Haiti earthquake relief
The ship performed logistical support for United States Coast Guard helicopters undergoing relief operations for the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Crest
The ship's crest and shield were designed to honor the memory of Colonel William "Rich" Higgins, USMC and to signify the power of the warship that bears his name.


 * Dark blue and gold are traditional colors of the Navy, symbolizing the sea and excellence.
 * The griffin, denoting valor and intelligence, holds an axe that indicates HIGGINS’ readiness and ability to engage in land-based hostilities.
 * The griffin and the trident symbolize ’ modern weapon systems HIGGINS possesses, which gives her the versatility of air combat and undersea engagements.
 * The shield’s “V” signifies victory and recalls the Combat “V” earned by Colonel Higgins.
 * White denotes integrity; gold symbolizes excellence.
 * The cloverleaf on the shield stands for good fortune.
 * The crest’s anchor represents the Navy.
 * Two wreaths symbolize the many military and civilian honors awarded Col. Higgins and signify unusual achievement.
 * The Naval Officer’s sword and the Marine Corps Officer’s Mameluke emphasize the long-standing tradition of cooperation between the Navy and Marine Corps in both peacetime and war, and recall Col. Higgins’ outstanding service to his country as a Marine.

About the Ship
The ship is just like any vehicle, it has to be fueled and refueled. When it is fully operated or on deployment, the ship has to refuel about every week. Refueling for the ship costs approximately $230,000.

Weapons
Weapons include one 50 cal. (caliber) lightweight gun, a light machine gun, 2 CIWS guns, Highly Explosive Electronically Timed (or HE-ET) and Kinetic Energy Electronically Timed (or KE-ET) 5” (5 inch) projectiles, one 25MM remote controlled machine gun, eight harpoon missiles, two torpedo launchers (total six tubes), Tactic Tomahawk missiles (also known as TACTOM missiles), and 110 missile launchers in all; 42 missile launchers in the front of the ship, 68 launchers in the back. Some of these weapons are controlled by monitors in the Combat Information Center (CIC) in the bridge. The 50 cal. and light machine gun are mounted on the left and right of the ship. The Harpoon missiles cross each others like an “X”; four missiles point left, another four point right. The CIWS (Close In Weapon System) is an anti-missile weapon that can shoot 60 rounds per second, but is short-ranged. With its radar, it can spot enemy missiles and bullets. The 25mm gun can be controlled by monitors or humans, so it can be used in any time of battle without injuring anyone. When the monitor is broken the sailors use it themselves.

FAQ
• How do they get electricity? To obtain electricity, the GTG, or Gas Turbine Generator, burns some of the ship’s fuel to create electricity. • What do the sailors do when the ship is damaged? When the ship is out at sea and it is damaged but not serious, there are machines that will pump excess (extra) water out from the ship. There are lifeboats for the crew if the ship’s damage is serious. The ship will also destroy all data on the ship will so enemies can’t use it. • How do sailors get food? There is a 6 month supply of food inside the giant fridge. Each time the ship stops at a new place, it gets more food. • How do the sailors get water for bathing and drinking? Sea water is processed through two reverse osmosis watermakers which provide up to 24,000 gallons of potable water per day for bathing and drinking. • Where do the sailors sleep? There are separate resting and sleeping sections for the male and female, called Berthing Areas. To sleep, there are bunk beds called rack beds with a small curtain.

• Where and what do they eat? Sailors eat in the mess deck. They eat pretty much the same food as they would at home.

• Do they wash/dry dishes themselves? No, they use a special machine for washing/drying dishes.

• How does the restroom work? The vacuum toilets use mostly air to flush, and the waste goes to the VCHT (Vacuum, Collection, Holding, and Transfer) tank. It collects the wastes until the tank is full, and the sewage is disposed of at sea, or pumped to the deck connection and shore facilities when in port.

• How do sailors communicate and warn each other? To talk to or warn the crew, there are announcers everywhere. The announcer can announce to different rooms at any time.

• How do the sailors talk to other people at home? There isn’t any signal to make calls. Instead, sailors use satellite power to call. Cell phone using is usually not allowed on the ship while it is active, except on some occasions. It confuses equipment that is on the ship, like a plane.

• What are antennas used for? Antennas are used for seeking targets and receiving signals. Each has a different use.

• Where is the ship controlled? The bridge is where you can control the ship, check the speed, and see what is near the ship with the radar.

• What do they use to search? Lights on the ship are for signaling other ships or searching. When the crew spots a friendly helicopter, there is a place for it to land on the ship.

Important Dates

 * June 1999: Higgins arrives in San Diego