NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Navy is scheduled to hold a commemorative ceremony aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) for the 2,000th Tomahawk cruise missile combat launch Aug. 5 at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The event will recognize the USS Barry crewmembers for their role in launching the milestone missile March 19, against an air defense target in Libya, during Operation Odyssey Dawn. “It was a great feeling to have taken part in the 2,000th missile launch,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class (SW) Luizous Houser, aboard USS Barry (DDG 52). “There were a lot of us that had never shot before, so to be able to fire off the 2,000th one was a great experience; it means a lot to us.” “Reaching 2,000 combat expenditures is a significant Navy force projection milestone and is an accomplishment that the Tomahawk government and industry team, the crew of the USS Barry, and the whole Navy can be proud of,” said Capt. Chris Flood, Tomahawk Weapons Systems program manager (PMA-280). “The 2000th combat launch was one of more than 200 successful Tomahawk missions conducted during the Libyan Operation.” The Tomahawk cruise missile has been deployed for more than 30 years. There are multiple variants of the missile system in the Navy’s inventory. The Block IV variant, currently in full-rate production, incorporates GPS navigation and a satellite data-link to provide the tactical commander with the flexibility to attack long-range fixed and re-locatable targets and support Special Forces with a lethal, responsive and precise weapon. The missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes and high sub-sonic speeds and are guided by several mission-tailored navigation modes, including GPS. Exact and efficient, Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles have been used in every major U.S. combat operation since Operation Desert Storm in 1991, solidifying the weapons lethality against enemy targets. The missile is capable of being launched from more than 140 U.S. Navy ships and submarines, including the Ohio Class Cruise Missile Submarine (SSGN), and is also employed by the U.K. Royal Navy. “The Tomahawk weapon has once again proven itself to be the nation’s weapon of choice; the premier network-enabled, precision-strike standoff weapon that is extremely effective during deep land attack against high-value strategic and tactical targets,” Flood said. Note: Media outlets interested in attending the commemorative ceremony, contact Jamie Cosgrove at [email protected] or (301) 757-9703 no later than 3 p.m., Aug. 3. To view Tomahawk video, visit www.www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UCt6To1n4U. ********************************************************************** MEDIA ADVISORY Who: USS Barry crew returns from deployment What: Navy commemorates 2,000th Tomahawk combat missile launch Where: Naval Station Norfolk, Va. When: Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, starting at 10 a.m.; media arrival at 9 a.m. Media Opportunities: 1) Coverage of ceremony with USS Barry crewmembers