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NavSource Online: Patrol Craft Coastal
Photo Archive
Courtesy of Mike Smolinski

Firebolt (PC-10)


Call sign:
November - Romeo - Bravo - Quebec
Cyclone Class Coastal Patrol Ship:

  • Laid down 17 September 1993 at Bollinger Machine Shop and Shipyard, Lockport, LA
  • Launched 10 June 1994
  • Commissioned 10 June 1995
  • Decommissioned 23 February 2022 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 328.5 t.(lt), 331 t.(fl)
  • Length 170'
  • Beam 25'
  • Draft less than 8'
  • Speed 35 kts.
  • Complement 28, eight Special Warfare Det./USCG Det
  • Armament: Two Mk38 25mm mounts, two .50 cal. machine guns, six Stinger missiles, two Mk19 automatic grenade launcher and one Mk52 Mod 0 chaff launcher
  • Propulsion: Four 838shp Paxman diesel engines, four shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Firebolt 52k
    Namesake:

    Firebolt - (Another name for a lightning bolt) A flash of lightning conceived as a bolt or dart hurled from the heavens

    		 Tommy Trampp
    Firebolt 61k Brian Clough
    Firebolt 118k 1 November 1996
    Aerial views of Firebolt returning from a Mediterranean deployment    		 David Tilton
    Defense Visual Information Center
    Firebolt 93k
    Firebolt 91k
    Firebolt 105k 1 November 1996
    The U.S. Navy's Coastal Patrol Boat Firebolt returns to her home at Little Creek Amphibious Base, Norfolk, VA, after completing a Mediterranean cruise. This deployment marked the second Mediterranean. cruise for the Navy's new class of coastal patrol ships
    U.S. Navy photo 961101-N-5502T-014 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class David Tilton    		 Bill Gonyo
    Firebolt 634k 5 April 1999
    Yorktown, VA
    This starboard beam view shows the vessels splinter camouflage paint scheme. The patrol craft’s primary mission is coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance. These ships also provide full mission support for Navy SEALs and other special operations forces.
    U.S. Navy photo 990405-N-0000C-001 by William H. Clark    		 Original photo: Robert M. Cieri
    Replacement photo: Robert Hurst
    Firebolt 244k 10 March 2003
    Camp Patriot, Kuwait
    The U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship Firebolt sits moored in port displaying the "Don't Tread On Me" flag. The flag was authorized for all U.S. Navy ships by the Secretary of the Navy and will be displayed throughout the duration of the war on terror. Firebolt was forward deployed and conducted missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
    U.S. Navy photo 03010-N-5362A-001 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Firebolt 133k Firebolt rescued survivors from the Gulf of Aden after their small craft capsized off the coast of Somalia in April 2005. On 24 April 2004 the Firebolt observed an unidentified dhow approaching the Khawr Al Amaya oil terminal in the northern Arabian Gulf. When a boarding team from the patrol craft approached in their rigid inflatable boat, the dhow exploded, killing two sailors and a Coast Guardsman
    U.S. Navy photo by Robert R. McRill from the December 2005 edition of U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings    		 Joe Radigan
    Firebolt 301k 29 April 2004
    Manama, Bahrain
    Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jon C. Morris, of Plymouth, Mass., raises the "Don't Trend on Me" flag aboard the coastal patrol ship Firebolt before a memorial service. The memorial service is for Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Michael J. Pernaselli, 27, of Monroe, N.Y., Signalman 2nd Class Christopher E. Watts, of Knoxville, Tenn., and coast guardsman Damage Controlman 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, of Smithtown. N.Y., who were killed after an unidentified dhow exploded while participating in a Maritime Interception Operations, in the Northern Arabian Gulf. All three were part of a seven-member boarding team that boarded the dhow in accordance with standard security procedures.
    U.S. Navy photo 040429-N-9885M-005 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Alan D. Monyelle    		 Bill Gonyo
    Firebolt 431k 29 April 2005
    Firebolt tends to some of the 89 survivors rescued from the Gulf of Aden after the small vessel they were traveling in capsized 25 miles off the coast of Somalia. There are possibly 41 people unaccounted for and five were pronounced dead at the scene. The guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), coastal patrol ship USS Typhoon (PC-5), and German frigate FGS Karlsruhe (F 212) assisted in the rescue effort
    Department of Defense photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Robert R. McRill, U.S. Navy    		 Robert Hurst
    Firebolt 161k 20 October 2005
    Persian Gulf
    The coastal patrol craft Firebolt underway in the Persian Gulf. Firebolt was underway on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations. MSO is aimed at setting the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment.
    U.S. Navy photo 051020-N-9362D-003 by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Randall Damm    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Firebolt 153k 7 March 2007
    Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Sean Christian, Firebolt training officer and Virginia Beach, Va., resident, coordinates a passenger exchange via Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat aboard the patrol craft's bridge. Firebolt was underway with Combined Task Group 158.1 performing Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the North Arabian Gulf (NAG). MSO help set conditions for security and stability in the NAG and protect Iraq’s sea-based infrastructure, which provides the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination.
    U.S. Navy photo 070307-N-0448N-060    		 Bill Gonyo
    Firebolt 141k 4 July 2007
    Manama, Bahrain
    Tempest and Whirlwind (PC 11) moored at Mina Salman Pier hoist their flags and pennants for Dress Ship as part of a 4th of July celebration.
    Official U.S. Navy photo by Captain Samuel Perez
    Firebolt 284k 13 August 2008
    Umm Qasr, Iraq
    Iraqi sailors look on from the pier as the coastal patrol boat Firebolt arrives at the port of Umm Qasr. Firebolt is making the port visit as part of Iraq Navy Day celebrations, marking the first visit by a U.S. ship to Iraq in more than 15 months.
    U.S. Navy photo 080813-N-5068C-014 by Lt. Nathan Christensen    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Firebolt 308k 1 October 2011
    Firebolt steams ahead during an exercise in the Arabian Gulf
    Navy News Service photo 111001-N-VN693-288 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter M. Wayman    		 Robert Hurst
    Firebolt 276k 21 May 2013
    Firebolt and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon (D 35) underway during International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 2013. IMCMEX 13 includes navies from more than 40 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility
    Royal Navy photo 130521-O-ZZ999-101 by L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
    Tempest 244k 8 April 2014
    Arabian Gulf
    Patrol Coastal Squadron ONE, transits in formation alongside other patrol ships [Tempest (PC 2), Squall (PC 7), Whirlwind (PC 11), Firebolt, Typhoon (PC 5) and Thunderbolt (PC 12)] during a maneuvering exercise. Firebolt is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security
    cooperation efforts
    Coastal Patrol Command photo 140408-N-LO156-837 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martin Cuaron. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet
    Firebolt 272k 30 September 2017
    Manama, Bahrain
    Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., left, commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic, walks with Cmdr. Kendall Bridgewater, commodore of Coastal Patrol Squadron, towards the coastal patrol ship Firebolt [inboard of Whirlwind (PC 11)] after a tour of USS Sentry (MCM 3). Wilson is on a week-long trip to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of operations to tour assigned surface forces, meet with senior leaders and speak with Sailors
    U.S. Navy photo 170930-N-XP344-0016 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Victoria Kinney    		 Lee Wahler
    Firebolt 90k This 14 April 2020, file photo provided by the U.S. Army shows the USS Firebolt in Manama, Bahrain. The Firebolt fired warning shots when vessels of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard came too close to a recent patrol in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy said Wednesday, 28 April 2021
    Photo by Spc. Cody Rich, U.S. Army    		 Bob Haner
    Commanding Officers
    01LT Charles Francis Williams, USN - Retired as Rear Admiral10 June 1995 - February 1997
    02LCDR Daniel Edward Voth, USNFebruary 1997 - 25 February 1999
    03LT David William Haas, USN25 February 1999 - 9 July 1999
    04LCDR Daniel P. (Skip) Shaw, USN9 July 1999 - 29 October 1999
    05LCDR John Fredric G. Wade, USN - USNA Class of 1990
    Retired as Rear Admiral    		29 October 1999 - 27 July 2001
    06LCDR Nick Anthony Sarap, Jr., USN27 July 2001 - 14 April 2003
    07LT Richard D. Butler, USN14 April 2003 - 24 January 2004
    08LCDR Michael Thuoc Sullivan, USN24 January 2004 - 1 April 2004
    09CDR Shan Michael Byrne, USN - USNA Class of 19891 April 2004 - 15 April 2004
    10LCDR Mark Alan Olson, USN - USNA Class of 199215 April 2004 - June 2004
    11LT Patrick Thein, USN - USNA Class of 1995June 2004 - 29 July 2004
    12LCDR Bradley L. Stallings, USN29 July 2004 - 8 October 2004
    13LT Michael J. Manor, USN8 October 2004 - 27 December 2004
    14LCDR Richard D. Butler, USN27 December 2004 - July 2005
    15LT Marisa L. McClure, USNJuly 2005 - December 2005
    16LT Jeffrey David Sturm, USN2006
    17LT Nakia Monte Cooper, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals2007
    18LT Theodore James Nunamaker, USN - USNA Class of 19962007
    19LT Trent Thompson, USN2008
    20LT Matthew J. Lehman, USNOctober 2009
    21LT John Sam Barsano, USN - Awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and five Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals2010
    22LT Jeffrey D. Baker, USN - Awarded six Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals2010
    23LT Andrew Joseph Klug, USN - Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal2010
    24LT Benjamin Ryan Ventresca, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals10 March 2011
    25LCDR Austin Wood Duff, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals2012 (Crew Charlie)
    26LCDR Thomas Edward Cunningham, III, USNFebruary 2013
    27LCDR Casey M. Mahon, USN - Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement MedalsAugust 2013 (Crew Foxtrot)
    28LCDR Frank James Azzarello, USN - Awarded four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement MedalsSeptember 2013 - 11 October 2013 (Crew Kilo)
    29LT Gillian Molina, USN11 October 2013
    30LCDR Larry R. Ford, Jr., USNMay 2015
    31LCDR Roger Lee Young, USN2018
    36LCDR Raymond W. Miller, IV, USN - 23 February 2022
    ??LCDR Mitchell Dane McGuffie, USN - USNA Class of 2003
    ??LCDR James "Jim" Lowell, USN - USNA Class of 1993
    ??LT Michael Kenneth Wagner, USN
    ??LCDR Philip Eric Knight, USN(Crew Alpha)
    ??LCDR Matthew D. Arndt USN - Awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, eight Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and six Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    View the Firebolt (PC 10)
    DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
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