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USS RUSSELL MAINTENANCE PHASE MISSION
As of April 2025

Mission:
Bring RUSSELL and our crew back to the Fleet, ready to fight for 10 more years!
 
Overview:
 
  The goal of the Maintenance phase is to generate material readiness for the Basic, Advanced, Integrated, and Sustainment Phases and to complete individual crewmember critical schools, training, administrative checks, and classroom training to support team training in the follow-on phases.
 
 
Why a Maintenance Phase?
 
  USS RUSSELL was built for a 35-year service life. She has served 30 of those years already. Class maintenance plan tasks are scheduled to enable ships to meet or exceed that planned service life. Most other Flight I ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers have had their service lives extended. RUSSELL has not due to the number of deferred class maintenance plan tasks over her lifetime. This upcoming drydocking selected restricted availability is designed to get RUSSELL materially ready to meet her service life. Our mission is to do our part as her crew to enable the maintenance RUSSELL needs to serve at least 5 to 10 more years, if called upon to do so.
 
 
  Our mission is to take full advantage of the Maintenance Phase by completing as many ship’s force level jobs as possible, sending our Sailors to school to complete critical NEC and CIN requirements, maintaining a high level of tactical proficiency through training and simulator time, and facilitating the depot level work that will be completed by the contractor. We will succeed by working closely with each other and our counterparts at SWRMC and the contractor team. Relationships matter, and these are the most important relationships during the Maintenance Phase.
 
 
  The Maintenance Phase will challenge our crew, but by working together to overcome and succeed, we will be a better ship and crew in the end.


Strength in Freedom!
 
Next Phase: Basic Phase (August 2026)


 

 RUSSELLNOTE 5050 - MP PLANORD - ENCL (1) pdf

 

John Henry Sr. and John Henry Jr.

SHIP’S CREST COMMISSIONED: 20 MAY 1995

LOCATION: Pascagoula, MS

SHIELD. Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. Gold is emblematic of excellence and red denotes valor and sacrifice. The red wedge and the trident symbolize DDG 59’s modern warfare capabilities: Aegis and Vertical Launch Systems. The three tines represent submarine surface, and air warfare. The wedge superimposed on the wave alludes to General Russell’s leadership and vision in the development of the Fleet Marine Forces and amphibious doctrine. The two gauntlets symbolize the two RUSSELLS and highlight teamwork and cooperation. The wavy divisions of the shield represent a river and underscore Rear Admiral Russell’s service in coastal and river campaigns during the Mexican War and Civil War. The sun and light blue reflect the tropical climate of the Gulf Coast and Caribbean, referring to both Russell’s service in the Gulf of Mexico and General Russell’s extended service in Haiti. The sun and light blue also highlight the south and west pacific service of the first USS RUSSELL (DD 414) in World War II.

CREST. The sixteen-sided shield and star commemorate the first USS RUSSELL’s sixteen battle stars earned during World War II. The gold star also demotes command and authority. The stylized Oriental dragon symbolizes strength, vigilance, and service in the Orient and Pacific.

SUPPORTERS. The crossed naval officer sword and mameluke signify the special relationship between the Navy and Marine Corps in projecting power from the sea. The unique character of naval service embodied in the Russell family where two distinguished Officers, father and son, served their respective services and their country with honor on land and sea.

MOTTO. “STRENGTH AND FREEDOM.” The real strength of our country is that, for over 200 years, Americans have fought and died for the ideals of freedom and democracy; Hence, “Strength in Freedom.”

COMMISSIONED: 20 MAY 1995 LOCATION: Pascagoula, MS


 

John Henry Sr. and John Henry Jr.

SHIP NAMESAKE

Named for John Henry Russell Sr. and John Henry Russell Jr.

Rear Admiral John Henry Russell Sr. (July 4 1827 - April 1 1897), served during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. John Henry Russell, Jr. (November 14 1872 - March 6 1947), was the 16th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

 
 
   
 
USS Russell (DDG 59)
Unit 100168
FPO AP 96677-1277

 

                                  

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