Kevin J Brennan, PhD

Memories of a key contributor to AEGIS Ashore.

Kevin Brennan, Jul 1953 – Aug 2022 

Kevin was a key contributor to the success of two major DoD programs, one of the quiet heroes that deliver effective capability to the warfighter, and that have made AEGIS BMD an enduring, operationally relevant capability.

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Change of Command

Commander Ethan Reber relieved Commander Tyrchra Bowman as Commanding Officer on December 19, 2024.

Fair Winds and Following Seas to Commander Bowman, who led the ship through two successful FDNF-E deployments, including the first SM-3 operational employment. We look forward to continued success of Arleigh Burke under the leadership of Commander Reber.

  • NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Dec. 19, 2024) Cmdr. Tyrchra Bowman, the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), gives remarks at the ship’s change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, Dec. 19, 2024. As the “Gateway to the Mediterranean,” NAVSTA Rota provides U.S, NATO and allied forces a strategic hub for operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. NAVSTA Rota is a force multiplier, capable of promptly deploying and supporting combat-read
  • NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Dec. 19, 2024) Cmdr. Tyrchra Bowman, the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), left, shakes hands with Cmdr. Ethan Reber, the prospective commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke, after giving remarks during the ship’s change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, Dec. 19, 2024. As the “Gateway to the Mediterranean,” NAVSTA Rota provides U.S, NATO and allied forces a strategic hub for operations in Europe, Africa a

AEGIS BMD – SM-3 First Combat Use Coin Presented to Program Executive

Rob Jobrack, Paul Mann, Rick Easton

Aegis BMD Program Executive, Mr. Paul Mann, was presented the Arleigh Burke commemorative coin on 30 Sept by CAPT (Ret) Rick Easton. The coin commemorates the ship’s April 2024 combat events in the Mediterranean Sea. The events marked the first use of Standard Missile 3 in combat to achieve successful intercepts of ballistic missiles in defense of our Allies.

The presentation was on the 20th anniversary of initial deployment of AEGIS BMD on 9-30-04.

Mr. Mann was a project engineer during successful preparation of the Arleigh Burke for Development and Operational Test.

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AEGIS BMD – 20 Years on Patrol

Long Range Surveillance and Track Capability

Ballistic Missile Defense System Initial Defensive Operations commenced on September 30, 2004, in response to National Security Presidential Directive 23.

Two destroyers, USS Curtis Wilbur and USS John S. McCain were outfitted with the long range surveillance and track capability, supporting defense of the homeland by providing radar track data to the Ground-Based Midcourse system.

Later in October 2004, the initial deployment SM-3 Block I missiles were transferred to the US Navy.

SM-3 Initial Deployment Rounds

Since then, AEGIS BMD, hosted in AEGIS Cruisers and Destroyers has been on patrol, with continuously advancing levels of combat system performance supporting more capable missiles: SM-3 Blocks I, IA, IB, and IIA, and SM-6.

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Loss of a Shipmate – CWO4 Nick Moore

The association has learned Nick Moore passed in Aug 2024 from complications of brain cancer. Nick was a plankowner – assistant CIC Officer.

Update: A celebration of Nick’s life will be held September 7, 2024 from 10:00 until 1:00 at Sturtevant Event Center, 5100 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth, VA

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