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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Ship Photo Archive
Courtesy of Mike Smolinski

Pioneer (MCM 9)


Call sign:
November - Papa - November - Romeo
Avenger Class Mine Countermeasures Ship:

  • Built by Peterson Builders, Incorporated, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Ordered, 14 February 1989
  • Laid down, 05 June 1989
  • Launched, 25 August 1990
  • Commissioned, 07 December 1992
  • Currently active, attached to Pacific Fleet, homeported at Sasebo, Japan
    Specifications:

  • Displacement 1,040 tons
  • Length 210'
  • Beam 38'
  • Draft 10' 6"
  • Speed 14 knots
  • Complement 81
  • Armament: Two M2HB .50 cal. machine guns, two M60 7.62 mm machine guns, two Mk19 grenade launchers
  • Propulsion: Four Waukesha Motors Co. diesel engines, two controllable reversible pitch propellers, two shafts, two electric light load propulsion motors
  • Auxiliary Systems: Three Waukesha ship service diesel generator sets, one solar gas turbine generator, one omnithruster bow thruster system
  • Electronic systems: One AN/SSN-2 Precise Integrated Navigation System (PINS), one AN/SQQ-32 Mine Hunting Sonar, one AN/SPS-55 Surface Radar. one AN/WSN-2 Gyro Compass
  • Mine Countermeasure Equipment Suite: One AN/SLQ-48 (V) Mine Neutralization System, one AN/SQL-37 (V) 3 Magnetic/Acoustic Influence Minesweeping Gear, Oropesa type 0 size 1 Mechanical
    Sweep Equipment, MDG 1701 Marconi Magnetometer Degaussing System.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Pioneer 74k
    Pioneer 79k Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR, Ret.
    Pioneer 146k
    Pioneer 101k
    Pioneer 128k
    Pioneer 74k Pearl Harbor
    Pioneer 449k 11 October 1993
    Tied to the pier at Port Everglades, FL
    U.S. Navy photo 330-CFD-DN-SC-94-00519 by OS2 John Bouvia from National Museum of the U.S. Navy    		 Michael Mohl
    MCM-9/10/11/12 57k c. 1993/1994
    Ardent (MCM 12), Pioneer, Gladiator (MCM 11), and Warrior (MCM 10) at Peterson Builders.    		 Bob Daly/PC-1181
    Pioneer 320k 10 December 2002
    Seaman Apprentice Luke Simowitz maintains course while on watch as helmsman aboard the ship while conducting exercises near San Diego, California
    U.S. Navy photo 021210-N-8029P-001 by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Ramon Preciado    		 Bill Gonyo
    Pioneer 233k 10 December 2002
    Chief Quartermaster Michael Romer and Mineman 3rd Class Drew Anaya plot fixes on a navigational chart as the ship departs San Diego Bay
    U.S. Navy photo 021210-N-8029P-002 by PH3 Ramon Preciado    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Pioneer 294k 10 December 2002
    Pioneer departs San Diego Bay, Point Loma can be seen to starboard, as Quartermaster 3rd Class Russell Hauck takes visual bearings using an alidade. An alidade is used to determine bearings on geographical references or other surface vessels to maintain safe navigation of the ship
    U.S. Navy photo 021210-N-8029P-003 by PH3 Ramon Preciado
    Pioneer 311k 10 December 2002
    An AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralizer is hoisted over the side for a planned mine sweeping exercise off San Clemente Island
    U.S. Navy photo 021211-N-8029P-012 and 021211-N-8029P-018 by PH3 Ramon Preciado
    Pioneer 203k
    Scout 221k 23 September 2005
    Ingleside, TX
    In preparation of Hurricane Rita, mine countermeasures ships home ported at Naval Station Ingleside nest in a modified mooring. Ships present (left to right): Unknown, Scout (MCM 8), unknown, Sentry (MCM 3), Champion (MCM 4), Pioneer, Chief (MCM 14), Gladiator (MCM 11), Avenger (MCM 1) and Defender (MCM 2)
    U.S. Navy photo 050923-N-4913K-006 by Fifi Kieschnick
    Pioneer 140k 22 October 2006
    Key West, FL    		 DC1(SW/SS) David Johnston, USNR
    MCM Crew Implicit
    Pioneer 332k 14 May 2007
    Aransas Pass, TX
    Pioneer 297k
    Pioneer 277k
    Pioneer 118k c. 2007
    Naval Station Ingleside, TX
    Navy MSO Association Reunion    		 Tommy Trampp
    Pioneer 279k c. 2009
    Naval Station San Diego, CA    		 Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR, Ret.
    Pioneer 260k
    Pioneer 230k Departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on 7 July 2010, to support Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises. RIMPAC is a biennial, multinational exercise designed to strengthen regional partnerships and improve multinational interoperability
    U.S. Navy News Service photo 100707-N-6854D-014 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Dasbach    		 Robert Hurst
    Devastator 612k Devastator (MCM 6) and Pioneer and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD-45) are underway near Hawaii on 18 July 2010 to participate in
    RIMPAC 2010
    U.S. Navy photo 100718-N-7200S-100 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Benjamin Stevens
    Pioneer 171k Returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on 29 July 2010 after participating in RIMPAC 2010 exercises
    U.S. Navy photo 100729-N-6674H-002 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Honnick
    Pioneer 263k Departing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on 29 July 2010 after participating in RIMPAC 2010 exercises
    U.S. Navy photo 100729-N-0641S-045 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink
    Pioneer 252k 10 October 2010
    San Francisco, CA
    Celebrating Fleet Week
    Photo by BrokenSphere
    Sentry 251 c. May 2012
    Long Beach, CA
    Sentry (MCM 3), Devastator (MCM 6), Pioneer and Warrior MCM 10) loaded on board The Netherlands Heavy Lift ship MV Tern for transit to Bahrain    		 Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR, Ret.
    Sentry 345k
    Sentry 286 c. 2012
    Sentry (MCM 3), Devastator (MCM 6), Pioneer and Warrior MCM 10) loaded on board The Netherlands Heavy Lift ship MV Tern en route to Bahrain
    Sentry 312 c. 2012
    MSC-chartered ship MV Tern transits the Indian Ocean while carrying the four mine countermeasure ships Sentry, Devastator (MCM 6), Pioneer (MCM 9) and Warrior
    (MCM 10)     to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. They arrived at Bahrain 20 June 2012
    U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Alex Forster, USN    		 Joe Radigan
    Pioneer 180k 30 July 2012
    Pioneer transits the Arabian Sea. Pioneer is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52, supporting mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area
    of responsibility
    U.S. Navy photo 120730-N-AZ513-040 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Callahan    		 Lee Wahler
    Pioneer 232k 24 February 2013
    Khalifa Bin Salman Pier, Bahrain
    Pioneer and USS Warrior (MCM 10) rest atop merchant vessel Super Servant III as it slowly rises to the surface during a heavy lift operation. Super Servant III will provide long distance transport to a new location for both U.S. Navy ships. Pioneer and Warrior were assigned to Commander, Task Force 52 and promoted mine counter-measure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility
    U.S. Navy photo 130224-N-CG436-018 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Scichilone    		 Ron Reeves
    Pioneer 283k 25 February 2013
    Khalifa Bin Salman Pier, Bahrain
    USS Warrior (MCM 10) and Pioneer undergo the sea-fastening phase of a heavy lift operation aboard the heavy lift ship Super Servant III. The sea-fastening phase secures the ships in place for long-distance ocean transits. Warrior will be heading to Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, and Pioneer will be heading to Naval Station San Diego
    U.S. Navy photo 130225-N-PV215-044 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Blair
    Avenger 55k 15 July 2014
    Sasebo, Japan
    Avenger (MCM 1) and Pioneer during turnover    		 Delta Squad
    Pioneer 272k 4 June 2016
    Departing Sasebo, Japan
    U.S. Navy photo 160604-N-NY430-145 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristopher S. Haley    		 Ron Reeves
    Pioneer 355k 24 August 2016
    Pioneer conducts an astern replenishment at sea with the Lewis and Clark-class ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4) while underway South of Japan. The astern refueling of Pioneer reflects the flexibility of Military Sealift Command's ships and crew to deliver innovative expeditionary logistics support to the fleet
    U.S. Navy photo 160824-N-OU129-005 by Morgan A. Bruce    		 Lee Wahler
    Pioneer 287k 14 July 2017
    Sasebo, Japan
    Sailors assigned to the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer pull in mooring lines as they depart Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo. Pioneer, part of the Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7 and Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, will operate alongside Japan Maritime Self Defense Force counterparts during the Mine Countermeasure Exercise 2JA
    U.S. Navy photo 170714-N-IO414-028 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Crouch
    Pioneer 235k 8 May 2019
    South China Sea
    Sailors pose for a photo on the weather decks of the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship Pioneer while underway. Pioneer, part of Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response platform for contingency operations
    U.S. Navy photo 190508-N-AD347-1066 by Lt. j.g. Alexander Fairbanks
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR Jerald Ballance, USN7 December 1992 - February 1994
    02LCDR William Richard Edwards, USNFebruary 1994 - 4 November 1995
    03LCDR Jonathan James Olson, USN4 November 1995 - 10 January 1996
    04LCDR Thomas Marvin Clemons, III, USN10 January 1996 - July 1996
    05LCDR Glenn Michael Irvine, USNJuly 1996 - 8 October 1996
    06LCDR Stephen Joseph Bowdren, USN8 October 1996 - 11 January 1997
    07LCDR Shaun Gillilland, USN11 January 1997 - 3 October 1997
    08LCDR John Brendon Bowie, USN - USNA Class of 198419 March 1997 - 19 March 1998
    09LCDR Kevin Peter Campbell, USN19 March 1998 - 23 October 1998
    10LCDR William Claiborne Harris, USN23 October 1998 - 11 February 1999
    11LCDR James Robert Boorujy, USN - USNA Class of 198311 February 1999 - 25 June 1999
    12LCDR Rodelio (Rudy) Laco, Jr., USN25 June 1999 - 12 January 2000
    13LCDR William Claiborne Harris, USN12 January 2000 - 12 May 2000
    14LCDR Samuel Reginald Murr Norton, USN12 May 2000 - 7 December 2001
    15LCDR Jeffrey W. James, USN7 December 2001 - 30 October 2003
    16LCDR Lance Christopher Esswein, USN30 October 2003 - 1 November 2004
    17LCDR Scott Joseph Shepard, USN1 November 2004 - 10 December 2004
    18LCDR Adolfo Hernaldo Ibarra, USN10 December 2004 - January 2007
    19LCDR Quinn David Skinner, USNJanuary 2007 - January 2008
    20LCDR Kitja Horpayak, USNJanuary 2008 - 24 November 2008
    21LCDR Mark Bryan Stefanik, USN24 November 2008 - 10 July 2009
    22LCDR Samantha Dee Baldwin, USN10 July 2009 - 12 March 2010
    23LCDR Spencer P. Austin, USN12 March 2010 - August 2010 (Crew Fearless)
    35LCDR Jose A. Roman, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and five Navy Achievement MedalsAugust 2010 (Crew Conflict)
    25LCDR Martin John Holguin, USNAugust 2010 - 10 December 2010
    26LCDR Courtney Marie Minetree, USN - USNA Class of 2000
    Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal    		10 December 2010 - 27 October 2011 (Crew Conflict)
    27LCDR Daniel Lee Shorter, II, USN27 October 2011 - 30 March 2012
    28LCDR Chavius Germaine Lewis, USN30 March 2012 - 2013
    29LCDR DonAnn M. Gilmore, USN2013 - 04 February 2014
    30LCDR Adam Christopher Soukup, USN04 February 2014 - 15 July 2014 (hull swap with MCM 1)
    31LCDR Todd Brian Penrod, USN15 July 2014 - 05 November 2014
    32LCDR Bobby J. Rowden, USN - Awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal05 November 2014 - 19 February 2016
    33LCDR Scott A. Jones, USN19 February 2016 - 25 May 2017
    34LCDR Brett Jasionowski, USN - Awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals25 May 2017 - 01 October 2018
    35LCDR Robert Masters "Bobby" Wayland, USN - USNA Class of 200601 October 2018 - 30 March 2020
    36LCDR Meagan Beth Makarenko, USN - Awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal 30 March 2020 - 02 July 2021
    37LCDR Zachary Burton Martens, USN 02 July 2021 - August 2022
    38LCDR Aaron Andrew Jochimsen, USN August 2022 - 2023
    39LCDR Chase E. Harding, USN 2023 - present
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves and Joe Radigan
    View the Pioneer (MCM 9
    DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
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    This page was created by Gary P. Priolo & maintained by Joseph M. Radigan & David L. Wright
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    Last Updated 14 December 2023