USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81)

13/09/2024

Congratulations to MM2 Alejandro Rodriguez on being named Sailor of the Week!!! 🎉

He currently serves as the EA04 (Engineering Auxiliaries) Work Center Supervisor, as well as the RAST (Recovery, Assist, Secure, and Traverse) System Technician! ⚙️

MM2 hails from Coats, North Carolina and loves to lift heavy objects after work! 🦾

MM2 Rodriguez joined the Navy so he could pursue an engineering career and learn the ins and outs of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). 💨

Thank you for your continued service and support onboard CHURCHILL! 🇺🇸🇬🇧⚓️

11/09/2024

Today, we remember the brave men and women who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001.

DDG 81 held a rememberance event on the Mess Decks to commemorate the countless acts of heroism and sacrifice of that day, which will continue to inspire us all. We will never forget.

30/08/2024

Please take a moment to congratulate IC2 Mendoza on being named DDG 81’s Sailor of the Week! 🎉

IC2 Mendoza hails from Virginia Beach and has a knack for photography, creating techno music, restoring vintage audio equipment, and skateboarding! He also enjoys collecting vinyls, cassettes, CDs, sneakers, colognes, and much more! 🎶

He joined the Navy because I seeks adventure and is a fan of the healthcare and stable paycheck! ⚓️

He chose to be an Interior Communications Electrician due to its hands on troubleshooting of electronic equipment nature, and highly recommends it to anyone! 🔌

IC2 has been serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill since July 2019! Thank you so much for your service! 🫡

29/08/2024

Congratulations to Electrician’s Mate Third Class Cherrington on his reenlistment. 🔌⚡️

EM3 checked in onboard back in December 2022, and recently signed on to serve an additional 6 years in the United States Navy. ⚓️

Thank you for your sacrifice and commitment to the protection of our nation!

29/08/2024

Today we had the honor of hosting Cdr Nicholas Stratton, Royal Navy! He is currently stationed at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.

During his visit, he awarded our Navigator, Lt Julian Caithness, the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal, which is awarded to all members of the British Armed Forces with at least five years of service at the time of his coronation on May 6, 2023.🏅

Shortly thereafter, CAPT Ryan O’Loughlin surprised Lt Caithness with a promotion to Lieutenant Commander! Congratulations, Sir, on both of your very well deserved achievements! 🇬🇧

Following the promotion, Cdr Stratton joined a group of our Junior Officers and Quartermasters at Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) Mayport to share some wisdom with our aspiring Officers of the Deck! Thank you for your time, Sir!🚢

20/08/2024

Congratulations to all of our Chief Petty Officer Selectees!!

DCC (SEL) Wright
ITC (SEL) Adams
HTC (SEL) Spry
STGC (SEL) Iaccarino
QMC (SEL) Sheridan
ISC (SEL) Forman
CSC (SEL) Ross

ANCHOR UP⚓️

19/08/2024

Life Lately⚓️🚁🪓🧯🍖🔫⛽️🇬🇧

17/08/2024

Recently, another one of our esteemed officers was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade!! Congratulations to you, LTJG Kuehn! We are all thankful for your dedicated service to DDG 81! ⚓️🚢

15/08/2024

We're proud to announce that ENS Coelho and ENS Lilly have been promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) in the United States Navy. Their dedication, professionalism, and leadership have been evident throughout their service, and this promotion is a testament to their hard work and commitment to our mission.

As they step into their new roles, we look forward to the continued excellence they will bring to our team. Congratulations to LTJG Coelho and LTJG Lilly on this well-deserved achievement!

24/07/2024

DDG 81 is proud to announce and congratulate four of our sailors on earning their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pins! The warfare device signifies their proficiency and specialized knowledge in surface warfare operations and tactics. They successfully passed the grueling boarding process and proved to their superiors that they are worthy of bearing such a coveted device.

Congratulations to GSE2 Tylor Johnson, QM2 Ayala Perkins, MM2 Robert Samuels, and EM2 Brandon Ward! ⚓️

15/07/2024

It was a day of training onboard DDG 81 last Friday as our crew simultaneously combatted a number of combat systems casualties, engineering casualties, fires, and even a medical casualty! BZ to all hands!

10/07/2024

Thank you to all of our sailors who have recently reenlisted! Thank you all for your dedicated service and commitment to our nation!🇺🇸⚓️

GSM2 Isaiah Gomezrubio
GM1 Stewart Brook
GSEC Damien Osio
CTT1 Adam McSweeney

18/06/2024

Congratulations to two of our outstanding officers on their promotion to the rank of Lieutenant (O-3)!!

LT Grayson Gossett (Information Warfare Officer)
LT Jack Pollard (Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer)

Thank you for you service to this country and to USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL!! ⚓️

14/06/2024

Earlier this week, RADM Cahill, Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic, paid a visit to DDG 81 to speak with CAPT O’Loughlin. He also offered time to share wisdom and knowledge with our officers as well as the 19 midshipmen onboard! Thank you very much for your time, Sir!

12/06/2024

Fair winds and following seas to our incredible sailors as they embark on their next chapter. Thank you, LT Justin Godfrey, LTJG Marlayna Crooms, and LSC Elva Campos! You will be dearly missed! ⚓️

12/06/2024

Earlier this month, the USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL team executed a RAS (Replenishment At Sea) with the USNS ARCTIC, in coordination with USS DONALD COOK and USS MAHAN! 🚢🛢️

The RAS coincided with CHURCHILL’s bring-your-own-hat Sunday where ship’s force are encouraged to wear appropriate covers of their choosing! 🎩

29/05/2024

Sending a HUGE Bravo Zulu to our very own HT1 Spry for being named the Carrier Strike Group 10 Sailor of the Year!!! Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work and dedicated service! This recognition is very well deserved! HT1 Spry is now being considered for SURFLANT Sailor of the Year! BZ, Shipmate!⚓️🎉

24/05/2024

Congratulations to the following Team CHURCHILL leaders who have been screened for Senior Chief by the Fiscal Year 2025 Active-Duty Navy E8 Screening Board.

GSMC Carly Chandler*
ETC Ian Donahuevillani
FCAC Andrew Leigh
LSC Michael Wilson
FCC Amanda Smith
CSC Thaddeus Dorsey

*Merit Screened (Reordered to top of the screening list)

Advancements for these senior enlisted positions are now part of the Senior Enlisted Detailing Marketplace. Frocking and advancement will take place once detailed and selected for their next assignment to a billet in the new rank.

Congratulations to all for their superior performance and warranted selection to serve in the next pay grade!

24/05/2024

Anchors aweigh for these seven remarkable Ensigns as they set sail on their journey to Lieutenant Junior Grade! Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion, and here's to the adventures ahead!

24/05/2024

The winners of the Captain Edward F. Ney Afloat General Messes, representing the Navy's Undersea Enterprise, Surface Warfare Enterprise, and Naval Aviation Enterprise: Small-Medium Afloat Category Winner: USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81).

Standing with the winning team in the second photo are Rear Adm. Ken Epps, Commander Naval Supply Systems Command and Chief of Supply Corps, NAVSUP Command Master Chief Mark Schlosser, Keynote Speaker Opal Poullard, Chef Instructor for Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and representatives of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

Our Food Service professionals were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in earning the 2024 Captain Edward F. Ney Food Service Memorial Award during awards quarters held on 23 May 2024.

Hooyah CHURCHILL!

25/04/2024

We're also thrilled to congratulate the Combat Systems Fire Control Division (CF) for their outstanding achievements! Each member was awarded the prestigious Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAM) for their exceptional dedication and hard work.

A special shoutout goes to Lieutenant Courtney for being honored with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (COM) for his remarkable contributions.

Their relentless efforts culminated an impressive green score in INSURV (The Board of Inspection and Survey).

25/04/2024

We're thrilled to congratulate the Deck Division (OD) for their outstanding achievements! Each member has been awarded the prestigious Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAM) for their exceptional dedication and hard work.

A special shoutout goes to Chief Petty Officer Fenton for being honored with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (COM) for his remarkable contributions.

Their relentless efforts over the past 6 months have truly paid off, culminating in an impressive green score in INSURV (The Board of Inspection and Survey).

12/04/2024

We're thrilled to announce that IC1 Scott and ET2 Tibbs have been successfully mapped to First Class Petty Officer and Second Class Petty Officer onboard CHURCHILL.

Their dedication and expertise in their respective fields have been invaluable to our mission. Let's give them a huge round of applause for their hard work and commitment!

01/04/2024

Celebrating 131 Years of Excellence: Happy Birthday to the Chief Petty Officer! Today marks a significant milestone as we honor the 131st birthday of the Chief Petty Officer rank. For over a century, CPOs have been the backbone of our Navy, embodying leadership, professionalism, and dedication to service.

Their expertise, experience, and commitment to duty ensure the success of our missions, both at sea and onshore. Join us in saluting the men and women who hold this esteemed rank, as we recognize their invaluable contributions to our nation's defense. Here's to the Chief Petty Officers, past, present, and future – thank you for your outstanding service and leadership!

22/03/2024

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, the CHURCHILL CUP along with other festivities will now be held at the MWR Mayport Fitness Center (Gym).

Please join us!!

Please join CHURCHILL for a day of competition, food and fun for the family!

March 22nd, CHURCHILL will be hosting the Inagural Churchill Cup at NAVSTA Mayport Turf field. Events include Co****le, Flag Football, Kickball, and our main event: Wardroom vs CPO Mess Soccer game that begins at 1100.

Families are more than encouraged to attend so spread the word and come kick it with the Bulldog Crew!

19/03/2024

Please join CHURCHILL for a day of competition, food and fun for the family!

March 22nd, CHURCHILL will be hosting the Inagural Churchill Cup at NAVSTA Mayport Turf field. Events include Co****le, Flag Football, Kickball, and our main event: Wardroom vs CPO Mess Soccer game that begins at 1100.

Families are more than encouraged to attend so spread the word and come kick it with the Bulldog Crew!

01/03/2024

Congratulations to Quartermaster Senior Chief Petty Officer McGhee as he concludes his distinguished career aboard the USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL

QMCS McGhee has been an invaluable member of CHURCHILL's family, embodying the core values of honor, courage, and commitment throughout his tenure. His dedication to duty and meticulous attention to detail have left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of serving alongside him. We wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement.

26/02/2024

Last Thursday, Naval Station Mayport honored the respective Senior Sailor of the Year, Sailor of the Year, and Junior Sailor of the Year for lunch.

Join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to HT1 Spry, IC2 Scott and ET3 Tibbs for their exceptional leadership, outstanding performance, and significant contributions to our mission here at CHURCHILL.

22/02/2024

Today, Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, visited CHURCHILL to engage in a vital discussion on military affairs, personnel, recruiting, and the overall lifestyle on a warship. Senator Carper served as a Naval Flight Officer during the Vietnam War, completing three tours of duty in Southeast Asia, retiring from the Naval Reserve in 1991 as a Captain.

His visit underscores the importance of collaboration between elected officials and our armed forces to ensure the well-being of our servicemen and women. Together, we're strengthening our nation's defense and supporting those who protect our freedoms.