View source for USS Mahan (DDG-72)

{{other ships|USS Mahan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:US Navy 070528-N-5459S-004 Guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) approaches guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) during a Sail Pass in the Baltic Sea.jpg
| Ship caption = USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-72) underway on 28 May 2007
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{USN flag}}
| Ship name = ''Mahan''
| Ship namesake = [[Alfred Thayer Mahan]]
| Ship ordered = 8 April 1992
| Ship builder = [[Bath Iron Works]]
| Ship laid down = 17 August 1995
| Ship launched = 29 June 1996
| Ship acquired = 22 August 1997
| Ship commissioned = 14 February 1998
| Ship decommissioned = 
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship struck = 
| Ship homeport = [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk]]
| Ship identification = *{{MMSI Number|368972000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NBTF
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
*[[Hull number]]: DDG-72
| Ship motto = ''Built to Fight''
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = {{Ship in active service}}
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = [[File:USS Mahan DDG-72 Crest.png|150px]]
| Ship honours = [[USS Mahan (DDG-72)#Awards|See ''Awards'']]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}}
| Ship displacement = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer displacement II}}
| Ship length = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer length I}}
| Ship beam = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer beam}}
| Ship draught = 
| Ship draft = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer draft}}
| Ship power = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer power}}
| Ship propulsion = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer propulsion}}
| Ship speed = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer speed}}
| Ship range = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer range}}
| Ship complement = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer complement}}
| Ship sensors = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer sensors}}
| Ship EW = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer EW}}
| Ship armament = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer armament I (BMD)}}
| Ship armour = 
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Flight I/II aircraft}}
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-72)''' is an {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}} currently in service with the [[United States Navy]].  This ship is the 22nd destroyer of her class. USS ''Mahan'' was the 12th ship of this class to be built at [[Bath Iron Works]] in Bath, Maine, and construction began on 17 August 1995. She was launched and christened on 29 June 1996. On 14 February 1998 she was commissioned in [[Tampa, Florida]]. ''Mahan'' is homeported in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], and as of 2012 was attached to [[Destroyer Squadron 2]]. By 2016, the ship was part of [[Destroyer Squadron 22]].<ref>[http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg72/ Official USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-72) web site]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Namesake==
She is named for seapower naval theorist Admiral [[Alfred Thayer Mahan]] USN (1840-1914) and is the fourth Navy ship to bear the name. Mahan served with the Union's blockading squadrons during the American Civil War, and served as President of the Naval War College for two terms. Furthermore, he was a renowned U.S. Naval theoretician and is best known as the author of the book "[[The Influence of Sea Power upon History]]", which, with his other scholarly works, continues to influence strategic and geopolitical thinking throughout the world.

==Service history==
The [[keel]] of ''Mahan'' was laid on 17 August 1995. Her mast was stepped on 6 February 1996, and she was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] and christened later that year on 29 June. The ship's sponsor is Mrs. Jennie Lou Arthur, wife of Admiral [[Stan Arthur]]. Her [[Aegis Combat System]] was lit off on 19 December.

1997 was a busy year for ''Mahan''. Alpha/Bravo trials occurred on 21 July, Charlie trials on 5 August, and Delta trials on 12 August. The ship was officially transferred to the Navy on 22 August, and her Crew moved aboard on 17 October.

The ship’s first underway was 16–17 January 1998 from [[Bath, Maine]], to [[Portland, Maine]], for a three-day port visit. The weather was particularly heavy, and many of the crew members who had not put to sea before felt the effects of seasickness. Underway from Portland on 21 January, the ship pulled into her new homeport of [[Norfolk, Virginia]], on 24 January. ''Mahan'' stayed in Norfolk until departing for her commissioning ceremony.

''Mahan'' was commissioned at 1100 on 14 February 1998 at [[Tampa, Florida]] by the [[Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic]], Vice Admiral Henry C. Griffin, III, USN with Commander Michael L. James, USN, commanding. Distinguished guests included Mr. Allen Cameron, President of Bath Iron Works, the Hon. [[Charles T. Canady]], Congressman from Florida’s 12th District, and the Hon. [[George Nethercutt]], Congressman from Washington’s 5th District.  ''Mahan'' stayed in Tampa until 17 February, returning to Norfolk on 21 February. ''Mahan'' briefly left at the end of the month to conduct Combat Direction Finding System testing at sea.

The next few months saw events including Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART), ammunition onload at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA), Industrial Hygiene Survey, Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trial (CSSQT), evaluation at the [[Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center]] (AUTEC), MISSILEX, Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) qualification,  VANDALEX, Final Conduct Trial, a post-Shipyard Availability Conference, and a recruiting video shoot, all before the end of July. In August, ''Mahan'' hosted the change of command ceremony for Commander [[Destroyer Squadron 26]].

''Mahan'' was placed in drydock in Portland, Maine on 1 September as part of the post-Shipyard Availability (PSA). ''Mahan'' departed Portland on 16 November, and during the transit back to Norfolk, conducted her first underway replenishment, with {{USNS|Big Horn}}. The ship was underway twice for Helicopter Deck Landing Qualifications (DLQs) before the end of the year.

On 16 February 2007, ''Mahan'' was awarded the 2006 [[Battle E|Battle "E"]] award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=27895 |title=Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle 'E' |first=Paula M. |last=Ludwick |work=U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs |date=19 February 2007 |access-date=13 October 2014 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201184055/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=27895 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2009, ''Mahan'' participated as an opposition force unit during {{USS|Harry S. Truman}}'s [[Composite Training Unit Exercise]] (COMPTUEX).

In July 2009, ''Mahan'' participated in Operation Northern Trident, where she met two Royal Australian Navy ships, {{HMAS|Sydney|FFG 03|6}} and {{HMAS|Ballarat|FFH 155|6}}, in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]]. The three ships conducted combined exercises at sea and a four-day port visit to [[New York City]], New York. ''Mahan'' crew members worked with their Australian counterparts in cleaning the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines Center in midtown [[Manhattan]]. Receptions were held onboard all three ships while offering tours to the public. Crew members were able to pay their respects by conducting a wreath laying ceremony at the [[World Trade Center site|World Trade Center]]. Several sailors also reenlisted in [[Times Square]] and at the World Trade Center site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=47064|title=U.S., Australia Strengthen Partnership During New York Visit|publisher=US Navy|access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref>

USS ''Mahan'' began a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at the [[BAE Systems Ship Repair]] shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia on 6 January 2010. The extensive upgrades and installations received during this time focused on improving the ship's Command and Control capability. ''Mahan'' left the shipyard on 10 March, and completed a light-off assessment on 25 March, ending the SRA. The remainder of 2010 was dedicated to completing Basic Phase training, which had commenced prior to starting the SRA in 2009, conducting Integrated Phase training, and final repairs and installations to ensure ''Mahan'' was materially ready for an extended deployment. ''Mahan'' participated in the {{USS|Kearsarge|LHD-3|6}} [[Amphibious Readiness Group]]'s COMPTUEX in July, resulting in certification for maritime support operations. ''Mahan''{{'}}s executive officer was relieved on 17 September 2010 following an investigation and commodore's mast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/09/navy-3-officers-sacked-091710w/ |first=William H. |last=McMichael |title=Navy sacks three leaders in one day |publisher=NavyTimes.com |date=17 September 2010 |access-date=13 January 2013 |quote=In the span of 24 hours, the Navy has fired a commanding officer, executive officer and a command master chief.}}</ref>

In August 2011, USS ''Mahan'' made a port visit to [[Rockland, Maine]], in support of the 64th annual Maine Lobster Festival. The crew participated in a parade, tours, a cooking contest, community service projects,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norfolknavyflagship.com/news/top_stories/article_33a885f2-d4d6-11e0-b3f6-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=image&photo=0|title=USS Mahan lends a helping hand in Maine|publisher=Norfolk Navy Flagship|date=1 September 2011|access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> and a 10K race. Later that month, ''Mahan'' visited [[Newport, Rhode Island]] to be the Surface Warfare Officer's School (SWOS) Ship for the week of 15–19 August. ''Mahan'' was sortied along with 26 other ships in preparation for [[Hurricane Irene]], returning 1 September 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=62403 |title=All Sortie Ships Underway in Preparation for Hurricane Irene|work=NNS110825-24|publisher=Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs |date=25 August 2011 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=All U.S. Navy ships in Hampton Roads, Va., ordered to get underway August 25, have sortied in preparation for Hurricane Irene.}}</ref> ''Mahan'' began a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at the Marine Hydraulics International shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, on 26 October 2011. During this availability, the ship received the [[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System]] upgrade. Commander Adam Aycock relieved Commander Kurt Mondlak as commanding officer on 4 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navytimes.com/article/20111212/NEWS/112120316/Destroyer-CO-neglected-fitreps-evals-awards |first=William H. |last=McMichael |title=Destroyer CO neglected fitreps, evals, awards |publisher=NavyTimes.com |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Cmdr. Kurt Mondlak had a busy 19 months in command of the destroyer Mahan. So much so, a command investigation found, that some things fell by the wayside — in particular, numerous officer fitness reports, enlisted evaluations and end-of-tour awards.}}</ref>

USS ''Mahan''{{'}}s SRA ended on 29 February 2012, which was immediately followed by a light-off assessment and sea trials. The ship went through four Continuous Maintenance Availabilities (CMAVs) in April, June, September, and November. Following a command investigation, 13 ''Mahan'' sailors were awarded non-judicial punishment for illegal drug use during a captain's mast on 4 April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=66321 |title=USS Mahan Awards 13 Sailors Non-Judicial Punishment |work=NNS120405-12 |publisher=Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs |date=5 April 2012 |access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> On 10 April 2012, ''Mahan'' hosted a retired Chief Sonar Technician.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=66864 |author=Ensign Aaron Young, USN |title=Dreams Come True Aboard USS Mahan |work=NNS120430-14 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=30 April 2012 |access-date=8 March 2014|quote=The crew of USS Mahan (DDG 72) helped fulfill the wishes of a retired World War II Sailor, April 10, by hosting him aboard the deck of a destroyer just one more time.}}</ref> In June and July, ''Mahan'' hosted [[midshipmen]] from the [[United States Naval Academy]] and [[Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps]] as part of [[Cortramid]]. In October, ''Mahan'' was evaluated by the [[Board of Inspection and Survey]] as part of a regularly scheduled inspection. Not only was ''Mahan'' the first ship to successfully demonstrate Ballistic Missile Defense during the inspection, the ship also achieved the highest score for a destroyer in several years. Later in October, ''Mahan'' was the host ship for the United States Naval Academy Homecoming Weekend in [[Annapolis, Maryland]]. The ship completed Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) in December in preparation for her upcoming deployment.

USS ''Mahan'' held a memorial ceremony on 6 December 2013, in honor of the 69th anniversary of the [[Battle of Ormoc Bay]] in which USS ''Mahan'' (DD-364) lost six crewmembers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=78110 |author=Chief Mass Communication Specialist Karen E. Cozza |title=USS Mahan Honors DD-364 |work=NNS131207-01 |publisher=SURFLANT Public Affairs |date=7 December 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=The crew of USS Mahan (DDG 72) held a memorial ceremony December 6th in honor of the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Ormoc Bay in which USS Mahan (DD-364) lost six crewmembers.}}</ref> On 10 January 2014, three USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-72) sailors traveled to [[Waynesburg, Pennsylvania]], to present a flag to a veteran of USS ''Mahan'' (DD-364) who was unable to make the December ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldstandard.com/gcm/news/local_news/local-wwii-veteran-honored-by-u-s-navy/article_1459ef2b-66c3-59f5-8d0f-7d1427acc1cb.html?mode=jqm |first=Steve |last=Barrett |title=Local WWII veteran honored by U.S. Navy |publisher=Waynesburg Herald-Standard |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Edwin “Ed” Young, 88, of Waynesburg was just 18 years old and serving his country as a U.S. Navy seaman during WWII when his life changed forever.}}</ref>

USS ''Mahan'' visited [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, during the 2014 [[Mardi Gras]] celebration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/military/index.ssf/2014/02/navy_destroyer_to_visit_new_or.html |first=Paul |last=Purpura |title=For Mardi Gras 2014, Navy destroyer to visit New Orleans |publisher=Greater New Orleans Times-Picayune |date=19 February 2014 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=For the first time in five years years, a U.S. Navy warship will visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras 2014.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/military/index.ssf/2014/02/mardi_gras_2014s_largest_float.html |title=Mardi Gras 2014's largest float (the USS Mahan) arrives in New Orleans |publisher=Greater New Orleans Times-Picayune |access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79602 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Visits New Orleans for Mardi Gras |work=NNS140312-12 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=12 March 2014 |quote=The crew of the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) wrapped up a five-day port visit March 10 to New Orleans, the first ship in five years to make a visit there during Mardi Gras.}}</ref>

A shooting occurred on the ship just before midnight on 24 March 2014, while the ship was pier-side at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.  Master-At-Arms Second Class Mark Mayo who was on duty as the Chief of the Guard, dove in front of the ship's Petty Officer of the Watch to shield her from the gunman.  For his actions, he was awarded the [[Navy and Marine Corps Medal]]. Mayo was killed and the civilian suspect was shot and killed by Naval Security Forces. The civilian armed himself by wrestling the weapon free from a Norfolk Naval Station Guard.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/25/justice/virginia-navy-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 |title=2 die in shooting at Virginia naval station |first1=Barbara |last1=Starr |first2=Jason |last2=Hanna |first3=Ed |last3=Payne |work=CNN |date=25 March 2014 |access-date=13 October 2014 |name-list-style=amp}}</ref>

==Deployments==
*'''MAR 2000-AUG 2000 Mediterranean''' ''Mahan'' departed Norfolk, Virginia, on 19 February 2000, on her maiden deployment to the [[Mediterranean]] as part of the {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6}} Battle Group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2000/02/19/families-bid-farewell-2/ |title=Families Bid Farewell: Battle Group Begins 6-month Deployment |first=Richard William |last=Rogers |work=Daily Press |date=19 February 2000 |access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref> She returned home on 18 August later that year.
*'''JUN 2002-DEC 2002 North Atlantic-Med-Indian Ocean''' Mahan's second deployment began when she departed Norfolk, Virginia, 20 June 2002. While deployed to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic Ocean, she made port visits in France, Scotland, Spain, Gibraltar, Slovenia, Crete, Malta, and the United Kingdom. She returned 20 December the same year.
*'''OCT 2006-NOV 2006 NEPTUNE WARRIOR'''
*'''JAN 2007-JUL 2007 SNMG-1'''
*'''SEP 2008-APR 2009 North Atlantic-Med-Indian Ocean'''
*'''NOV 2010-JUN 2011 North Atlantic-Med-Indian Ocean''' Mahan left Naval Station Norfolk on 7 November 2010, for a maritime security operation deployment as part of [[United States Naval Forces Europe]] to the [[Horn of Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wavy.com/news/local/uss-mahan-deploys|title=USS Mahan deploys|publisher=WAVY|access-date=19 January 2014}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The ship made port visits in [[Haifa]], Israel, [[Djibouti, Djibouti]], [[Souda Bay]], Crete, and [[Istanbul]], Turkey. The ship also stopped for fuel in [[Naval Station Rota]] in Spain. ''Mahan'' transited through the [[Suez Canal]], the [[Bab-el-Mandeb]] Strait, the [[Dardanelles]], and the [[Strait of Gibraltar]]. The ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk on 8 June 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/USS-Mahan-returns-after-7-month-deployment-123486454.html|title=USS Mahan returns after 7 month deployment|publisher=WVEC|access-date=8 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308190950/http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/USS-Mahan-returns-after-7-month-deployment-123486454.html|archive-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> During the 2011 maritime security operation deployment, USS ''Mahan'' was dispatched to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to conduct operations in Libya. Insitu Inc. announced that its [[ScanEagle]] been assisting U.S. and [[NATO]] Forces in their mission to protect civilians and reduce the flow of arms to Libya. During a 72-hour counter-terrorism surge supporting [[Operation Unified Protector]], the ScanEagle [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] was operated organically aboard ''Mahan'' to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. In strong winds, ScanEagle performed cooperatively with a host of US and NATO participating forces. On this deployment ScanEagles (the second aboard ''Mahan'') the team achieved a 100 percent mission readiness rate, accruing 1,154 flight hours and 167 sorties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uasvision.com/2011/08/18/scaneagle-in-action-over-libya/|title=ScanEagle in Action Over Libya|date=18 August 2011 |publisher=UAS vision|access-date=1 June 2012}}</ref>
*'''28 Dec 2012-13 Sep 13 '''USS Mahan left [[Naval Station Norfolk]] on 28 December 2012, for a maritime security operation deployment to the [[United States Sixth Fleet]] Area of Responsibility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wtkr.com/2012/12/27/uss-mahan-to-deploy-friday/ |title=USS Mahan deploys |date=27 December 2012 |publisher=WTKR |access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> The ship made port visits in [[Augusta Bay (Sicily)|Augusta Bay]], Sicily, [[Naples, Italy]], Haifa, Israel, [[Limassol, Cyprus]], Souda Bay, Crete, [[Rhodes, Greece]], and [[Larnaca, Cyprus]]. The crew participated in community relations projects at every port.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=71572 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer at Naples-Area Orphanage |work=NNS130122-07 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=22 January 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community service project at a Naples-area orphanage during their port visit, Jan. 14.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=71891 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer at Haifa |work=NNS130206-02 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=6 February 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community engagement project at a Haifa women's shelter during their port visit Jan. 28.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=72177 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer at Limassol Rehabilitation Center |work=NNS130221-07 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=21 February 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Sailors stationed aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community engagement project at a Limassol rehabilitation center during their port visit, Feb. 11.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=73656 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Sailors Volunteer in Souda Bay |work=NNS130426-10 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=26 April 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Sailors stationed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) participated in a community engagement project in a Souda Bay-area village during their port visit April 14.}}</ref> The ship also stopped for fuel in [[Funchal]], Madeira and Naval Station Rota in Spain. During ''Mahan''{{'}}s visit to Rhodes, Commander Zoah Scheneman relieved Commander Adam Aycock<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/10/09/i-now-hate-my-ship-surveys-reveal-disastrous-morale-on-cruiser-shiloh/ |author= Geoff Ziezulewicz |title='I now hate my ship': Surveys reveal disastrous morale on cruiser Shiloh |publisher=Navy Times |date=17 September 2017 |access-date=17 December 2019}}</ref> as commanding officer on 7 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=74022 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Welcomes New Commanding Officer |work=NNS130510-02 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=Cmdr. Zoah Scheneman relieved Cmdr. Adam Aycock as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) during a shipboard ceremony, while in port Rhodes, May 7.}}</ref> ''Mahan'' remained in theater after the [[Ghouta chemical attack]] in Syria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.usni.org/2013/08/26/u-s-and-u-k-move-ships-closer-to-syria |title=U.S. and U.K. Move Ships Closer to Syria |date=26 August 2013 |publisher=USNI News |access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> ''Mahan'' returned on 13 September 2013, and had a pinning ceremony for ten (10) chief petty officer selects as soon as the ship was moored.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wtkr.com/2013/09/13/uss-mahan-to-return-to-norfolk/ |title=USS Mahan returns to Norfolk |date=13 September 2013 |publisher=WTKR |access-date=13 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=76576 |author=Ensign Alexander Washofsky, USN |title=USS Mahan Returns Home |work=NNS130914-04 |publisher=USS Mahan Public Affairs |date=14 September 2013 |access-date=8 March 2014 |quote=The guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Sep. 13th after an {{citefrac|8|1|2}}-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.}}</ref>

On 9 January 2017, ''Sky News'' reported that whilst escorting two other US ships, the USS ''Mahan'' fired three warning shots at four Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard boats in the [[Strait of Hormuz]] after the Iranians did not respond to requests by the ''Mahan'' to slow down and instead continued asking the ship questions, coming to within 800m of the ''Mahan''. According to the officials speaking anonymously to Reuters, a helicopter dropped a smoke float and the destroyer launched flares but the boats continued at speed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/us-navy-fired-warning-shots-at-speeding-iranian-boats-10723058|title=USS Mahan fired warning shots at Iranian boats in Strait of Hormuz|publisher=Sky News|date=9 January 2017}}</ref>  A similar incident occurred on 24 April 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-us-navy-fires-warning-flare-at-iran-vessel-in-persian-gulf-2017-4-2 |title = US Navy Fires Warning Flare at Iran Vessel in Persian Gulf|website = [[Business Insider]]}}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
[[File:USS Mahan DDG-72 Crest.png|left|thumb|150px]]

=== Shield ===
<blockquote>''The shield has background of dark blue with a blue trim. The center of the shield shows a gauntlet wielding a trident and a torch.''</blockquote>The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively. The trident at the center of the shield symbolizes the ship's warfare capabilities while underscoring the importance of a strong navy. The gauntlet and torch are adapted from USS ''Mahan'' (DD-364)'s emblem highlighting the ship’s namesake, Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, as the father of all modern navies. The tines of the trident represent the three previous ships named ''Mahan'', and the Officer, Chief Petty Officer, and Enlisted Corps of personnel which man the ship.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}

=== Crest ===
<blockquote>''The crest consists of a red compass enclosed in a gold annulet surrounded by a wreath.'' </blockquote>The central star commemorates the second USS ''Mahan''{{'}}s World War II battle honors (five battle stars), earned before she was sunk by kamikazes. The twelve small stars on the annulet denote the battle stars of the third USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-42) for service in the Vietnam War. The unfurled scroll underscores ''Mahan'' as the author of ''The Influence of Sea Power Upon History''. The compass rose and annulet represent ''Mahan''{{'}}s influence of sea power, its strategy and geopolitical importance worldwide. The wreath combines laurel and palm to symbolize honor and victory.

=== Motto ===
<blockquote>''The motto is written on a scroll of blue that has a gold reverse side.''</blockquote>The ship's motto is "Built<ref>The graphic accompanying the article.</ref> to Fight." The motto was chosen as a remembrance of Admiral Arleigh Burke in memory of his contributions to the U.S. Navy. During USS ''Arleigh Burke''{{'}}s commissioning, Admiral Burke issued a challenge to his sailors: “This ship is built to fight; you’d better know how.”

=== Seal ===
<blockquote>''The coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, upon a white background enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS MAHAN" at the top and "DDG 72" in the base all gold.''</blockquote>

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-  style="text-align:center; background:silver;"
||Ribbon ||  style="background:silver; text-align:center;"|Description ||  style="background:silver; text-align:center;"|Notes
|-
|[[File:Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|106px|Ribbon of the NMUC]] || [[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon]] ||
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 3rd award.svg|width=106}}
|[[Navy "E" Ribbon]] || with three [[Battle E device]]s
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|| [[National Defense Service Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|106px|Ribbon of the GWTEM]] || [[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px|Ribbon of the GWTSM]] || [[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]] ||
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|| [[Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]] || with one silver [[service star]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Naval Vessel Register|{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=DDG72}}}}
*http://www.uasvision.com/2011/08/18/scaneagle-in-action-over-libya/
*http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/09/navy-3-officers-sacked-091710w/

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.navysite.de/dd/ddg72.htm USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-72) webpage at ''Navysite'']

{{Arleigh Burke class destroyer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahan (DDG-72)}}
[[Category:Ships built in Bath, Maine]]
[[Category:Arleigh Burke-class destroyers]]
[[Category:Destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:1996 ships]]