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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Ship Photo Archive

Dextrous (MCM 13)



Call sign:
November - Delta - Echo - Xray
Avenger Class Mine Countermeasures Ship:

  • Built by Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Ordered, 12 December 1989
  • Laid down, 11 March 1991
  • Launched, 20 June 1992
  • Commissioned, 09 July 1994
  • Currently active, attached to Atlantic Fleet, homeported at Manama, Bahrain
    Specifications:

  • Displacement 1,040 tons
  • Length 210'
  • Beam 38'
  • Draft 10' 6"
  • Speed 14 knots
  • Complement 81
  • Armament: Two M2HB .50 cal. machine guns, two M60 7.62 mm machine guns, two Mk19 grenade launchers
  • Propulsion: Four Waukesha Motors Co. diesel engines, two controllable reversible pitch propellers, two shafts, two electric light load propulsion motors
  • Auxiliary Systems: Three Waukesha ship service diesel generator sets, one solar gas turbine generator, one omnithruster bow thruster system
  • Electronic systems: One AN/SSN-2 Precise Integrated Navigation System (PINS), one AN/SQQ-32 Mine Hunting Sonar, one AN/SPS-55 Surface Radar. one AN/WSN-2 Gyro Compass
  • Mine Countermeasure Equipment Suite: One AN/SLQ-48 (V) Mine Neutralization System, one AN/SQL-37 (V) 3 Magnetic/Acoustic Influence Minesweeping Gear, Oropesa type 0 size 1 Mechanical
    Sweep Equipment, MDG 1701 Marconi Magnetometer Degaussing System.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Dextrous 184k U.S. Navy photo
    Dextrous 77k Bob Daly/PC-1181
    Dextrous 117k Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR, Ret.
    Dextrous 95k Tommy Trampp
    Dextrous 199k 16 June 1997
    Mina Sulman, Bahrain
    Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen addresses crew members at pierside from the Dextrous. Cohen visited with crews from four U.S. ships and an All-Hands Call of personnel assigned to the 5th Fleet
    Department of Defense photo 970616-D-2987S-120 by Helene C. Stikkel    		 Bill Gonyo
    Dextrous 132k 28 October 2001
    Manama, Bahrain
    Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Gordon R. England, met with the Commanding Officer and the Sailors of the minesweeper Dextrous which is forward-deployed in Bahrain. The Secretary is visiting Sailors and Marines who are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
    Defense Visual Information Center photo 0011028-N-8732S-005 by Chief Photographer's Mate(AW/SW) Michael
    A. Strand.
    Dextrous 220k 23 June 2002
    Ensign Robert Ross shoots a bearing from the pilothouse pelorus as Junior Officer of the Deck
    U.S. Navy photo 020623-N-5329L-004 by PH2 Eric Lippmann    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Dextrous 254k 23 June 2002
    Signalman 2nd Class Eric Palmer signals the U.S. Navy mine hunter coastal ship USS Raven (MHC 61) from the signal bridge
    U.S. Navy photo 020623-N-5329L-007 by PH2 Eric Lippmann
    Dextrous 414k 24 June 2002
    Crewmembers steady the “Klein 5000”side scan sonar aboard the mine countermeasures ship. The Klein 5000 uses multi-beam side scan sonar to survey the ocean floor to search for
    man made objects
    U.S. Navy photo 020624-N-5329L-007 by PH2 Eric Lippmann
    Dextrous 301k 19 March 2003
    The mine countermeasure ship Dextrous takes part in mine counter measure operations in the Arabian Gulf along with coalition forces. Dextrous is forward deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein
    Defense Visual Information Center photo 030319-N-5319A-001 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho    		 Bill Gonyo
    Dextrous 217k 28 March 2003
    Near Umm Qasr, Iraq
    Dextrous patrols the waters during mine clearing operations in the Klawr Abd Allah waterway. Coalition Naval forces cleared the waterway of mines and rogue vessels to make way for the arrival of humanitarian relief shipments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
    U.S. Navy photo 030328-N-5362A-012 by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Dextrous 130k 7 November 2003
    Naval Support Activity Manama, Bahrain
    The mine countermeasure ship Dexterous pulls away from the pier as it gets underway. She was participating in Mine Warfare Readiness and Effectiveness Measuring Program 27 to collect and analyze mine warfare data. The data collected used to develop a database that can be used to weigh decisions on proposed system improvements
    U.S. Navy photo 031107-N-4374S-003 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg    		 Bill Gonyo
    Raven 360k 14 June 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    USS Raven (MHC 61) cruises alongside Dextrous while conducting training for U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen deployed in the region for a two week summer training cruise.
    U.S. Navy photo 040619-N-5319A-006 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Dextrous 600k 14 June 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Dextrous is underway while providing training opportunities for U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen. Midshipmen are participating in annual summer training cruises throughout the world, offering sophomore and junior-year USNA students to complete two-week periods of instruction in basic surface warfare operations.
    U.S. Navy photo 040614-N-5319A-008 by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho
    Dextrous 305k 28 July 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Mineman Steven Hill lowers the AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle in the Arabian Gulf by using a vehicle handling system. The AN/SLQ-48 system uses a remote-controlled submersible vehicle to identify and neutralize underwater mines
    U.S. Navy photo 040728-N-4374S-004 by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg
    Dextrous 395k 28 July 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Crew members raise the AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle.
    U.S. Navy photos 040728-N-4374S-005 and 040728-N-4374S-010 by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg
    Dextrous 369k
    Dextrous 99k 29 July 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Mineman Steven Hill stands at the helm in the pilothouse aboard the mine countermeasure ship Dextrous when she was forward deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    U.S. Navy photo 040729-N-4274S-008 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg    		 Bill Gonyo
    Dextrous 359k 29 July 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Mineman 3rd Class Mike Sturgeon performs daily planned maintenance on a .50 caliber machine gun.
    U.S. Navy photo 040729-N-4374S-001 by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Dextrous 378k 29 July 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Crewmen prepare to conduct small boat operations in the Arabian Gulf.
    U.S. Navy photos 040729-N-4374S-003 and 040729-N-4374S-005 by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg
    Dextrous 340k
    Dextrous 250k 29 July 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Quartermaster 3rd Class Seth Rau and Ensign Tin Tran plot the ship's course on the navigational chart in the pilot house.
    U.S. Navy photo 040729-N-4374S-009 by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg
    Dextrous 426k 5 August 2004
    Arabian Gulf
    Dextrous steams through the waters of the Arabian Gulf.
    U.S. Navy photo 040805-N-4374S-003 by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg
    Dextrous 274k 24 December 2004
    Persian Gulf
    Dextrous and the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) conducts replenishment at sea in the Persian Gulf. Harpers Ferry is the Afloat Forward Staging Base to nearby oil platforms and support ships, providing security and logistics support.
    U.S. Navy photo 041224-N-4772B-277 by Journalist 2nd Class Brian P. Biller
    Dextrous 100k 28 March 2006
    Northern Arabian Gulf.    		 DC1(SW/SS) David Johnston, USNR
    MCM Crew Implicit
    Dextrous 119k
    Dextrous 102k
    Dextrous 99k
    Scout 14k c. 2007 - 2008
    Operation Iraqi Freedom    		 Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR, Ret.
    Dextrous 235k 12 August 2008
    Manama, Bahrain
    Mineman 2nd Class Richard Sorrell discusses the operational capabilities of the Mine Neutral Vehicle with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead aboard Dextrous. Roughead, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe R. Campa, Jr. traveled throughout the Central Command Area of Operation to visit sailors, thank them for their contributions and hear their thoughts firsthand
    U.S. Navy photo 080812-N-8273J-049 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Gladiator, Ardent & Dextrous 254k 5 September 2009
    The Royal Navy fleet auxiliary dock landing ship RFA Lyme Bay (L 3007) leads a formation of ships including the mine countermeasure ships USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS Ardent (MCM 12), Dextrous, the Royal Navy single-role minehunter HMS Grimsby (M 108) and the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) during a training exercise. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility
    U.S. Navy photo 090905-N-3165S-631 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan Steinhour    		 Robert Hurst
    Dextrous 275k 29 August 2012
    U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility
    Hauling in a refueling line deployed by Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15) during refueling operations. Ponce, formerly designated as an amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship, was converted and reclassified to fulfill a longstanding U.S. Central Command request for an afloat forward staging base interim ship to be located in its area of responsibility
    U.S. Navy photo 120829-N-YG591-072 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scotto Raegen    		 Ron Reeves
    Sentry 91k 19 September 2012
    The Royal Navy minehunter HMS Shoreham (M 112), followed by Dextrous, Devastator (MCM 6) and Sentry (MCM 3) fall into line astern of the RFA Cardigan Bay (L 3009)
    Photo 45154418 by PO(Phot) Simmo Simpson from Ministry of Defence    		 Robert Hurst
    Photo added 10 June 2019
    Devastator 450k 31 October 2014
    The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), center, participates in International Mine-countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) with the mine countermeasures ships USS Devastator (MCM 6) and Dextrous and the Royal Navy mine-countermeasure vessels HMS Penzance (M 106), top, and HMS Chiddingfold (M 37). Sterett is deployed as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility
    U.S. Navy photo 141031-N-GW139-784 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Coffer    		 Ron Reeves
    Dextrous 260k 19 May 2015
    Camp Lemonnier, [Republic of] Djibouti
    Rear Ad. John Scorby, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, speaks with Cmdr. Jeffrey Marty, mission commander of Coast Riverine Squadron (CRS) 1, during a brief of port operations. CRS-1 conducts anti-terrorism, force protection and personnel recovery missions in the Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti area of operation
    U.S. Navy photo 150519-N-RY232-003 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julia A. Casper    		 Lee Wahler
    Dextrous 382k 19 May 2015
    Camp Lemonnier, [Republic of] Djibouti
    Rear Ad. John Scorby, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, speaks with Captain Matthew P. O’Keefe, Commander Navy Installations Command, during a brief of port operations
    U.S. Navy photo 150519-N-RY232-126 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julia A. Casper
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR Robert Irving McGrath, Jr., USN09 July 1994 - 11 January 1996
    02LCDR Anthony Ellis Mitchell, USN11 January 1996 - 10 September 1996
    03LCDR Thomas Marvin Clemons, III, USN - USNA Class of 198210 September 1996 - 22 February 1997
    04LCDR Clifford Seawell Sharpe, USN - Retired as Rear Admiral22 February 1997 - 06 August 1997
    05LCDR Michael Lucas Arture, USN06 August 1997 - 21 January 1998
    06LCDR Humberto Lasaro (Burt) Quintanilla, II, USN21 January 1998 - 02 February 1998
    07LCDR David Daniel Bruhn, USN02 February 1998 - 01 July 1998
    08LCDR John Brendon Bowie, USN - USNA Class of 198401 July 1998 - 16 December 1998
    09LCDR Brian Joseph Shanahan, USN16 December 1998 - 02 June 1999
    10LCDR Humberto Lasaro (Burt) Quintanilla, II, USN02 June - 17 November 1999
    11LCDR Donald Dwight Hodge, USN17 November 1999 - 01 May 2000
    12CDR Gary Raymond Parriott, USN01 May 2000 - 20 September 2000
    13LCDR Michael Alan Hegerty, USN20 September 2000 - March 2002
    14LCDR Michael C. Sparks, USNMarch 2002 - April 2004
    15LCDR Michael B. Riley, USNApril 2004 - 30 August 2004
    16LCDR Warren Ross Buller, II, USN30 August 2004 - 18 October 2004 (Crew Fearless)
    17LCDR Patrick Tyler Britt, USN18 October 2004 - 22 July 2005
    18LCDR Jeffrey Albyn Bennett, II, USN - USNA Class of 199222 July 2005 - January 2006
    19LCDR Joel W. Pedersen, USNJanuary 2006 - 2006
    20LCDR Scott Brian Curtis, USN2006 - 2007
    21LCDR Quinn David Skinner, USN2007 - 19 November 2007
    22LCDR Joseph Dominic Femino, USN19 November 2007 - 23 May 2008
    23LCDR Vince William Baker, USN23 May 2008 - 1 October 2008
    24LCDR Mark Bryan Stefanik, USN - USNA Class of 19981 October 2008 - 2009
    25LCDR Kitja Horpayak, USN2009 - 31 May 2009
    26LCDR Joseph Dominic Femino, USN31 May 2009 - 09 June 2009
    27LCDR Jennifer Lynne Forbus, USN09 June 2009 - 03 October 2010 (Crew Exultant)
    28LCDR Edward Jenkins "Ted" Pledger, USN - USNA Class of 200003 October 2010 - 13 February 2011 (Crew Exultant)
    29LCDR Morgan D. Roberts, USN13 February 2011 - July 2012 (Crew Leader)
    30LCDR Micah D. Murphy, USN - Awarded two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement MedalsJuly 2012 - 05 March 2013 (Crew Exultant)
    31LCDR DonAnn M. Gilmore, USN05 March 2013 - 2013 (Crew Exultant)
    32LCDR Nathan Scott Wemett, USN2013 - 06 November 2013 (Crew Persistant)
    33LCDR Chavius Germaine Lewis, USN06 November 2013 - February 2014 (Crew Conflict)
    34LCDR Micah Thomas Sybor, USN - USNA Class of 2002February 2014 - 2014 (Crew Fearless)
    35LCDR Matthew David Gleason, USN2014 - July 2015
    36LCDR Linda Hoffman McCauley, USNJuly 2015 - 24 September 2015
    37CAPT Jeffrey R. Cronin, USN - Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Meritorious Service Medals, five Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals(Temporary Command) 24 September 2015 - October 2015
    38LCDR Michael J. Hellard, USN - Awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement MedalOctober 2015 - October 2016
    39LCDR Jeffrey Thomas Chewning, USN - USNA Class of 2005October 2016 - 2 October 2017
    40LCDR Robert James Toohig, Jr., USN - Awarded three Navy Commendation Medals and three Navy Achievement Medals2 October 2017 - 21 February 2019
    41LCDR Jordan J. Stutzman, USN - Awarded two Navy Commendation Medals and three Navy Achievement Medals21 February 2019
    42LCDR Frank Kirby McQuiddy, USN29 December 2020 - 08 December 2021
    43LCDR Erik Matthew Guiremand, USN08 December 2021 - 2023
    44LCDR Grant Mead Barrett, USN2023 - present
    Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves and Joe Radigan
    There is no DANFS history available for Dextrous (MCM 13)
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    This page was created by Joseph M. Radigan & David L. Wright
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    Last Updated 14 December 2023