*The United States Coast Guard Cutter, Eagle*

Honoring the 250th anniversary of the of the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) the Port of Los Angeles welcomed officers and enlisted members of the USN, USMC and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in celebration of the ninth annual Fleet Week LA.

The 2025 edition of Fleet Week featured demonstrations, displays, equipment, and aircraft along with public tours of three activity duty USN vessels and the USCG cutter Eagle.

Other activities included the “Military Has Talent” Qualifying and Final rounds at the USS Iowa. Other live entertainment at venues included the Grove and Farmer’s Market, and West Harbor. Part of the week’s closing activities included a Memorial Day Observance at Green Hills Memorial Park.

Tying up alongside the Port’s dock and available for closer inspection were the USCG’s Eagle, the USS Mariner (OUSV 4), the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), and the USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120).

The U.S. Coast Guard’s tall ship, Eagle, was prior to World War II the pride of the German Navy, Kriegsmarine. Following WWII, the ship was transferred to the U.S. government and became part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet. The tall ship serves as a training ship for U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets and officer candidates.

The USCG’s tall ship Eagle, a 295-foot long barque, is the only active service square-rigger in the service of the U.S. Government. The vessel is used as training vessel for cadets at the Coast Guard Academy and officer candidates. From its home port in New London, Connecticut, the Eagle sailed to a variety of foreign ports of call as a U.S. goodwill ambassador.

Pre-World War II, the Eagle sailed under the flag of the German Navy as the Horst Wessel. Following the war, the vessel was part of war reparations, the ship was transferred to the U.S. government and recommissioned as the USCG cutter Eagle.

The USS Mariner was available for public viewing, but not available for tours. The Mariner’s platform is similar to civilian vessels used to support oil rig operations in the U.S.’s Gulf Coast. This 194-foot long experimental vessel tests the feasibility of autonomous technology for future Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) in the USN. The Mariner is also equipped with other experimental technologies including sensors, satellite links, radar systems, and communications equipment. The Mariner can further expand its role and function as a mothership for other USV’s. Also, equipped with portions of the Aegis combat system, the Mariner can connect to manned vessels in the fleet.

*The USS Mariner is one of the U.S. Navy’s first autonomously operated vessel. The ship also serves as a platform for testing other experimental technologies. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy*

According to the Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV) executive officer, Rear Admiral Casey Morton, “This baseline of what we’re doing first I want to say is really applicable to whatever approach we go. In terms of requirements, LUSV clearly is a program of record requirement, the [vertical launch system] capability – adjunct magazine capability – is important. It’s in our request. That’s really a big aim of what we’re developing,”

Rr. Adm. Morton adds, “Now we can take two of our USVs and go out and do multi-vessel [operations] and control and not necessarily have to take a DDG off of actual fleet operations to go to that,” Morton said. “It gives us that ability to just get there that much more quickly through the testing and the different scenarios.”

The Harpers Ferry Landing Station Dock (LSD 49) calls San Diego her home port. The ship’s primary mission is to support amphibious assault operations. The ship carries a compliment of 22 USN and USMC officers and 397 USN and USMC enlisted personnel. Defensive armament includes two 25 mm rapid-fire cannons, two 20 mm Phalanx Close In Weapons Support (CIWS) mounts, two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, and six 12.7 mm machine guns. As part of its amphibious assault mission the Harpers Ferry carries Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), commonly referred to as hover craft.

LSD 49 Harpers Ferry has served as U.S. response to several natural disasters that have occurred in Myanmar, Philippines, and Japan. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Capable of reaching speeds of 46 miles per hour. The LCAC’s are approximately 87 feet long and 47 feet wide and operated by a crew of five. LCAC’s provide personnel transport, mine countermeasure operations, and Marine and Special Warfare equipment delivery.

*The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) has a crew of five, a Craftmaster, Engineer, Navigator, Deck Engineer, and Loadmaster.*
*Photo by 1st Lt. Stephanie Downey, USMC Marine 26th Expeditionary Unit*

Also, dockside was one of the USN’s newest vessels in its fleet, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer, the USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120). The guided missile destroyer was commissioned in 2023 and calls Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman her home port. The ship bears the name of the former U.S. Senator and Armed Service Committee Chairperson.

The USS Carl M. Levin is one of the newest ship’s in the U.S. Navy’s fleet. The U.S. Navy has upgraded the capabilities of a destroyer with advance technology and weaponry. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Commander (Cmdr.) Brent Halloway serves as the ship’s Captain and Cmdr. Benjamin Bond serves as the ship’s Executive Officer. With a combined 36 years of naval experience, Cmdr. Halloway and Cmdr. Bond express the role of the destroyer in today’s USN has not drastically changed over time, but with the advances in technology and weaponry, the Levin and other DDG’s have expanded its offensive and defensive capabilities over previous destroyer platforms.

Cmdr. Brent Halloway is Captain of the USS Carl M. Levin. Cmdr. Halloway has earned two Masters Degrees from the U.S. Naval War College in National Strategic Studies and Maritime Homeland Security and Homeland Defense. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

The key to the DDG’s offensive and defensive capabilities lies in its advanced radar and sonar capabilities. The AEGIS Weapons Systems (AWS) replaces the traditional mast mounted spinning radar dish with a series of flat panels mounted on various sections of the ship’s forward superstructure.

*Cmdr. Benjamin Bond is the ship’s Executive Officer. Cmdr. Bond’s deployments include the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean.*

Using traditional radar dishes, the spinning of the dishes creates blind spots on the radar screen as the dish completes its 360°degree sweep. The AWS’s series of flat panels provides a uninterrupted 360° view radar scan of the surrounding areas extending beyond the horizon. With a constant radar view of their surroundings, the ship’s crew is quickly alerted to any surface or airborne threats.

The AWS is a centralized, automated, command-and-control weapons control system. Designed to detect and kill designated targets, The AWS is capable of detecting and tracking more than100 targets simultaneously while serving as a missile guidance system.

*The octagonal figure located on the left side of the fore superstructure is one of four AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) screens mounted to the fore superstructure.*

Although the ship’s design is similar to previous destroyers, the new design incorporates stealth technology not to conceal the ship from radar, but to significantly reduce its radar signature making appear to be a much smaller vessel on any other radar screens.

Cmdr. Bond stresses the transformation requires eliminating flat or consistent edges on everything on the deck of the ship from the superstructures and bridge to the ship’s external ladders. Straight lines and flat surfaces are replaced with curved lines and facetted edges making it difficult for the incoming radar signal to adequately capture the entire silhouette of the ship.

*Reducing the amount of square structures and consistent edges can disguise the Levin’s radar signature on the radar screen of other vessels attempting to discover the Levin’s presence.*

In addition to the ship’s radar capabilities, Senior Chief (SC) Ryan Campbell points out, “The Levin has an advanced sonar system capable of discovering surface vessels and submarines from an extended distances and often before they are alerted to the Levin’s presence. A large globe mounted to the base of bow sits 36 feet below the surface houses a sophisticated sonar array. At the stern of the ship, a towed sonar array can be deployed to detect surface ships and submarines traveling off the ship’s stern.”

Adding to the active sonar system is an acoustic database containing a sonic library capable of identifying the sounds of military and civilian vessels from the U.S. and countless other countries. With the ability to not only detect, but identify vessels at an extended distance, the Levin has ample opportunity to prepare and take any necessary defensive actions.

The bulbous structure under the bow of the ship contains a sophisticated sonar array. Linked with a database containing sonic signatures of military and civilian vessels, sonar operators can identify ships and submarines before they are alert to the Levin’s presence. Diagram courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Cmdr. Halloway points out that in World War II (WWII), with their 5-inch guns limited to less than a 15 mile range and other small arms destroyers were assigned to escort activities, strike force protection and bombardment activities. With some specific design changes, today’s destroyers have the ability to operate independently or as part of a strike group. On modernized DDG’s only one 5-inch gun remains near the bow of the ship. The other 5-inch gun positions have been replaced with a Vertical Launching System (VLS) near the forward and aft sections of the ship. The VLS is capable of launching guided missiles designed Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). The Levin is equipped with 32 VLS stations are located near the bow and 64 VLS position near the stern.

Cmdr. Halloway explains, ”Guided missiles have expanded the ships’ offensive and defensive capabilities. The weapons of modern warfare allow the Levin to attack targets over 100 miles away and often before the aggressors realize the Levin is aware of their presence. Also, the guided missiles provide greater accuracy and have a more lethal impact than a 5-inch gun.”

The 96 VLS located near the bow and aft sections of the ship are capable of launching a variety of guided missiles at targets more than 100 miles from the ship.

Adding to lethal abilities of the guided missiles are the two Illuminator radar dishes positioned on the rear superstructure of the ship. The Illuminators utilize two radar beams to attack specific targets more than 100 miles from the ship’s deck. The first beam acquires the target while the second beam reflects off the target and guides the missile to the designated target.

Cmdr. Halloway explains, ”Guided missiles have expanded the ships’ offensive and defensive capabilities. The weapons of modern warfare allow the Levin to attack targets over 100 miles away and often before the aggressors realize the Levin is aware of their presence. Also, the guided missiles provide greater accuracy and have a more lethal impact than a 5-inch gun.”

*The 96 VLS located near the bow and aft sections of the ship are capable of launching a variety of guided missiles at targets more than 100 miles from the ship.*

Adding to lethal abilities of the guided missiles are the two Illuminator radar dishes positioned on the rear superstructure of the ship. The Illuminators utilize two radar beams to attack specific targets more than 100 miles from the ship’s deck. The first beam acquires the target while the second beam reflects off the target and guides the missile to the designated target.

The Illuminator radar system utilizes two radio antennas. The first antenna sends out a radar beam to the detect the designated target. Once acquired the second reflects off the designated target and guides missiles to the target.

In addition to missile defenses, DDG’s are equipped with countermeasures, flares and chaffing material, to disrupt the guidance systems of heat seeking missiles or radar guided missiles that are targeting the ships.

As a lesson learned from the attack on the USS Cole (DDG 67) in October 2000, when the ship was attacked by terrorists while it was refueling at a port in Yemen, blasting a 40-ft. hole in the side of the hull, killing 17 sailors and injuring 40 more, DDG’s are equipped and manned with robust series of Close In Weapons Support (CIWS). Although the DDG’s are capable to striking targets beyond the horizon, CWIS are used for defending against attacks initiated by from adversaries and terrorist in closer proximity to the ship.

*This photo from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reveals the damage inflicted by a terrorist attack on the USS Cole while it refuel at a port in Yemen. Photo courtesy of the FBI*

The ship’s 5-inch gun, Sea Sparrow Missiles and two-triple mount torpedo tubes capable of launching 6 Mk 45 torpedoes are capable defenses against attackers within a few miles from the ship.

For closer range targets, the radar controlled Phalanx CIWS, a high tech gatling gun, capable of firing 20 mm armor piercing titanium rounds at a rate of 4,500 rounds/minute with a range slightly over 5,000 yds. is a formidable defense for close in targets. Assisting the Phalanx are 50 caliber machine guns that are mounted on the ship’s deck.

*The Phalanx CIWS, fondly referred to as the R2D2, serves as one of the lethal weapons used in close range to protect the crew and ship against intruders.*

Further extending the DDG’s capabilities is the installation of a flight deck and hanger that house two Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters (the naval version of the U.S. Army’s Blackhawk helicopter). The Seahawks are capable of performing a variety of routine flight operations including, but not limited to search and rescue, surveillance, medical evacuation, and replenishment operations. Also, Seahawks are capable of conducting offensive operations involving anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and insertion of special warfare troops.

The Sikorsky Seahawk SH-60 (foreground) is a valuable addition to the capabilities of Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG’s). The Seahawks conduct routine operations, surveillance operations and offensive operations. This photograph was taken from the deck of an Amphibious Assault Ship. Photo by Seaman Kenneth Melseth, courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Although the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers represent a significant technological advances, like its predecessors, the success of the ship depends on the abilities of the captain and crew to carry out their mission.

Prior to receiving command of the Levin in September 2023, Cmdr. Holbrook served as the ship’s Executive Officer. Cmdr. Holbrook was aboard as the Levin was officially accepted by the Navy in January 2023. After leaving the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine, Cmdr. Holbrook and the ship’s captain, Cmdr. Kelly Craft, sailed the ship along the East Coast through the Panama Canal and after a brief stop at Naval Base San Diego headed for its home port at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman, Hawaii.

Cmdr. Holbrook points to his time as the ship’s Executive Officer as an opportunity to work closely with crew. He focused his efforts on treating each crew member with respect and dignity and holding everyone, including himself, to the same standards. When he assumed command, he held true to his standards and beliefs, which is clearly evident in the respect he receives from each of his crew members.

Cmdr. Bond joined the Levin after completing his two year tour of duty in an exchange program with British Royal Navy. Cmdr. Bond attributes this opportunity as a tremendous learning experience and has been a great asset to his current position. Cmdr. Holbrook points to Cmdr. Bond’s ability to work with the ship’s crew and believes Cmdr. Bond will receive his own command in the near future.

As a warship, the crew of the Levin, must carry out a variety of duties directly related to their mission, as well as duties that maintain the vital functions of the ship’s infrastructure and housekeeping requirements.

Gunner’s Mate (GM) Rachel Swymer enlisted seven years ago after discovering that college did not provide her with a meaningful purpose. Since enlisting at age 19 years, she has found purpose in USN and found a “true connection” with her shipmates.

*Gunners Mate Swymer has found a purpose and true connection with her shipmates through her experiences during her nine years of service.*

GM Swymer points out that during her tenure she as been able to travel to various ports throughout our country and around the world. But, one unforgettable situation occurred within a couple of years of enlisting, while she was stationed in Japan during COVID. Being away from and missing her family was only amplified by the severe restrictions the Japanese government put in place throughout the country. GM Swymer’s and her shipmate’s movements were greatly restricted and found themselves essentially confined to their base, creating a sense of isolation. She was grateful when she was able to leave Japan and restore some sense of normalcy to her life.

Machinist Mate (MM), Sean Sterling found his way to the USN after moving to New York City (NYC) from Jamica. As a teenager, MM Sterling could not wait to leave NYC and saw the military as the “quickest way out.” As soon as he was eligible to enlist, MM Sterling went to his recruiter and told him that he want to sign up for a position that would get him out of NYC as soon as possible. Becoming a Machinist Mate was his quickest way out. After completing a year of schooling, MM Sterling was bound for sea duty.

On the Levin, MM Sterling is responsible to keep a variety of simple and complex machinery in working order throughout the ship. His duties include repairing air conditioning units, refrigeration units, reverse osmosis water-makers, laundry machines and the ship’s steering units to name a few.

*Machinist Mate Sterling enlisted is responsible for keeping a variety of machinery and machines in working order throughout the ship.*

Although crew members have a variety of responsibilities and skills, there are some commonalities. They all agree that extended periods at sea does create a difficult balance between family life and their naval duties. They also stress that life aboard a ship, particularly with a smaller crew shared quarters and spaces develops a bond that cannot be duplicated in any other situation.

Swymer best summarizes it, “We have a better understanding of one another because we are going through the same thing and the same time. We share all the same experiences and the efforts of our work.”

Following their stop at Fleet LA, the crew of the Levin returns to their home port in Hawaii. After a brief stop, they will head to the mid-Pacific to engage in exercises with their battle group.

*The Carl M. Levin returns to its home port, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman in Oahu, Hawaii.*

A Special Thanks

Tours aboard the USCG Eagle, USS Harpers Ferry, and the USS Levin were free to the public, but for my visit to the Levin I was escorted aboard by Lieutenant Jr. Grade (LTJG) Angelica Blas and LTJG Alexis Van Buren through arrangements by LT Matthew Coffin.

LTJG Alexis Van Buren (left) and LTJG Angelica Blass (right) have taken different paths to their current posts with the Naval Public Affairs Support, but found their journeys enlightening and rewarding.

Both LTJG Blas and LTJG Van Buren are assigned to the office of Navy Public Affairs Support (NPAS), but they began their careers following different courses. LTJG Blas set out for flight school after graduating college hoping to become a naval aviator. However, she discovered aviation was not her calling and was offered a post in NPAS.

After graduating from Texas A&M, LTJG Van Buren entered the enlisted ranks of the USN. Assigned to ship duty, she performed a variety of maintenance assignments including painting the hull of her ship. She credits the experience with providing her with an incomparable opportunity to learn about the ships in the USN fleet and the variety of talents and skills it requires to effectively maintain and operate a ship. She successfully rose through the ranks and has achieved her commission.

Both agree their time in the USN has provided a variety of experiences that they could not imagine and the bonds they have created will last a lifetime.

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Steve Tabor

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve began his photography career photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. His experiences have led him to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics in his portfolio. As a contributor and photojournalist, he has published stories about the people, places and events in and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and beyond.

Interested in seeing more of Steve’s work, visit website at: www.stevetaborimages.com