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SEP15-02: San Antonio Withstands Katrina's Best, Assists in Recovery Ops By Program Executive Office, Ships Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Shortly after moving aboard ship at Northrop Grumman Ship's Systems Ingalls Operations on Aug. 25, San Antonio Sailors and Marines immediately began preparing for heavy weather as the fast moving Hurricane Katrina powered towards the Gulf Coast.

Operating on ship's power, ballasted down with heavy weather mooring lines rigged, and with an anchor underfoot, San Antonio successfully weathered the storm with no significant damage. During Hurricane Katrina, Commander Jon Padfield, the ship's commanding officer, estimated winds up to 140 mph and witnessed a storm surge approaching 25 feet with seas from Pascagoula Bay flowing over the pier and into the shipyard. Northrop Grumman's anemometer recorded gusts of 160mph during the height of Katrina.

"The ship and crew felt the might of Katrina between 1000 and 1400 on Monday 29 August," Padfield said. "However, this is a really tough ship. With the ship ballasted down and her enhanced survivability features, this ship barely moved at all during the storm. I cannot say enough about how thoroughly well designed and built San Antonio is," he said. For example, the Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensor System "held like a fortress," he added.

While Pascagoula was east of the hurricane's eye, the surrounding area was still devastated by high winds and storm surge. During and after the hurricane, San Antonio provided Northrop Grumman emergency workers with shelter and food. LPD 17 crewmembers provided security and technical help to the shipyard during the initial assessment and clean up efforts as well.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems President Philip Teel stated, "We are greatly appreciative of the Navy's active support of our recovery efforts."

Since the storm, LPD 17 has berthed and fed crewmembers from Forest Sherman DDG 98, another new construction ship in the shipyard, as well as shipyard workers. In support of the national recovery effort, National Guardsmen, diving and salvage teams, local authorities, congressional staff and Seabees have been berthed and fed aboard the ship. It has also served as base of operations for Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 2 as they cleared the port of Pascagoula of obstacles and debris. In addition to ship's company, the crew served 4,000 meals and berthed approximately 500 people during the storm and its aftermath.

Although some crewmembers had apartments damaged and cars flooded, San Antonio Sailors and Marines have been active in the community's recovery. Some of the crewmembers served as operations representatives for the Jackson County Emergency Operations, while others assisted the Red Cross and National Guard in passing out ice, water, and food. Sailors continue to provide assistance to the shipyard in their recovery and even helped in mooring the hospital ship Comfort when she arrived.

"This crew performed positively magnificently," Padfield stated. "That is a testament to their training and their resolve. The ship's motto is 'Never Retreat, Never Surrender' and I think our crew did exactly that."

For the crew of San Antonio, it is now back to the pre-storm routine of training as they prepare for sailaway and commissioning later this year. While the USS San Antonio will carry generations of Sailors and Marines to sea in the decades to come, no plankowner will ever forget their first week aboard her.