WAVY’s Navy Ship Salute is a feature on WAVY News 10 Today. Each month, in partnership with the U.S. Navy, WAVY-TV 10 will profile a different ship based at the world’s largest Navy base: Naval Station Norfolk. The series aims to better introduce our viewers to some of the largest floating taxpayer assets there are, as well as life aboard a U.S. Navy ship.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The USS Gettysburg is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser serving as part of Naval Surface Force Atlantic.
Built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, she was first commissioned in 1991 as the third ship in the U.S. Navy ship to carry the name Gettysburg.
Coming in at 9,600 long tons, the Gettysburg is 567 feet long and is powered four diesel engines. She can carry more than 300 sailors when underway as well as two MH-60R helicopters.
Named after the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863 in what is now the bureau of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, it’s considered by many as a turning point in the Civil War.
Following the deadly battle between Union and Confederate forces, Gen. Robert E. Lee was forced to retreat into Virginia.
Today, USS Gettysburg has several reminders of the battle, including a giant mural in the mess desks.
However the ship has an even greater presence in Gettysburg itself.
“We make frequent trips up there,” said Commanding Officer Capt. Justin Hodges.
While the ship itself can’t reach the landlocked community, sailors march in their parades and even help with battlefield maintenance.
With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, training is vital.
The Visit Board Search and Seizure Team will board ships in an effort to proactively stop smuggling, piracy, human trafficking and other onboard threats.
However, everyday tasks must happen too.
In a corner of the ship bellow the weapons deck. a small barbershop sits.
RS3 Charity Fisher didn’t know she’d become the ship’s barber when she enlisted. However, she said following weeks of schooling at Dam Neck Annex and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, she has done hundreds of haircuts.
“I used to do, like female hair before the military so it’s not bad,” Fisher said. “It’s fun. It’s really fun actually.”
USS Gettysburg will be getting underway again in the next few weeks.