Commissioning Information
IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 1994 (703)697- 5737(public/industry)
NAVY TO COMMISSION COASTAL PATROL SHIP SQUALL (PC
7)
The U.S. Navy will commission the coastal patrol
ship Squall (PC 7) at the base of the St. Louis Arch
in St. Louis, Missouri, on Monday, July 4, 1994, commencing
at 4:30 p.m. Representative Richard A. Gephardt of
Missouri will be the ceremony's principal speaker.
Mrs. Lea Ann Edwards, wife of Representative Chet
Edwards of Texas, is the ship's sponsor. Squall (PC
7) is named for a weather element and is the seventh
of 13 Cyclone Class ships scheduled to be built. The
ship's primary mission is maritime special operations
which includes conducting coastal patrol and interdiction
-- an important aspect of littoral operations outlined
in the Navy's strategy, "...From the Sea."
The ship will also provide full mission support for
special operations forces. The ship's armament includes
one Stinger missile station, 40MM grenade launchers,
.50 caliber machine guns and 25MM chain guns. Each
coastal patrol ship is 170 feet in length, has a beam
of 25 feet, an 8-foot draft, and displaces approximately
331 tons fully loaded. The ship will be manned by
a crew of four officers and 24 enlisted personnel.
Lieutenant Commander (Select) Chris J. McDonald, U.S.
Navy, is the ship's commanding officer. -USN-
