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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; Present Disposition, Active, in commission, Homeport, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA.

Specifications: Displacement 328.5 t(lt), 331 t.(fl); Length 170'; Beam 25'; Draft less than 8'; Speed 35k; Complement four officers, 24 enlisted, eight Special Warfare Det. or USCG Det.; Armament two Mk38 25mm; two .50 cal. machine guns, six Stinger missiles, two Mk19 automatic grenade launcher, one Mk52 Mod 0 chaff launcher; Propulsion, four Paxman diesel engines, four shafts, 3,350 shp.
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for full size image
Size Image Description Source
Firebolt 61k . Brian Clough
Firebolt 118k 1 November 1996
Aerial starboard beam view as Firebolt returns from a Mediterranean deployment.
David Tilton
Defense Visual Information Center
Firebolt 93k 1 November 1996
Aerial port beam view as Firebolt returns from a Mediterranean deployment.
David Tilton
Defense Visual Information Center
Firebolt 91k 1 November 1996
Aerial starboard beam view as Firebolt returns from a Mediterranean deployment.
David Tilton
Defense Visual Information Center
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 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 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
Bill Gonyo

There is no DANFS history available for Firebolt (PC-10)
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Patrol Craft Sailors Association

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