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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Ship Photo Archive

Ardent (MCM 12)


Avenger Class Mine Countermeasures Ship:

  • Built by Peterson Builders, Inc., Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Ordered, 12 December 1989
  • Laid down, 22 October 1990
  • Launched, 26 November 1991
  • Delivered, 20 August 1993
  • Commissioned, 18 February 1994
  • Decommissioned at Naval Base San Diego, 27 August 2020
  • Struck from Naval Register same day
  • Final disposition, awaiting disposal
    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
    MCM-9/10/11/12 57k c. 1993/1994
    Ardent, Pioneer (MCM 9), Gladiator (MCM 11), and Warrior (MCM 10) at Peterson Builders
    Bob Daly/PC-1181
    Ardent 303k 4 April 2001
    Underway in the Persian Gulf, while conducting training for the mine countermeasures Exercise Arabian Gauntlet 2001
    U.S. Navy photo 330-CFD-DN-SD-03-09106 by PH1 Tina M. Ackerman, USN from National Museum of the U.S. Navy
    Michael Mohl
    Ardent 286k 8 March 2003
    Camp Patriot, Kuwait
    Ardent refuels and provides her crew a few hours’ break. Capable of finding and destroying both moored and bottom mines, the technological capabilities of these ships are considered to be the most advanced in the world. The missions of mine-countermeasure ships like these include clearing the ocean bottoms and sea lanes of mines in both coastal and offshore areas
    U.S. Navy photo photo 030308-N-1050K-001 by Journalist 1st Class Joseph Krypel
    Robert M. Cieri
    Ardent 201k 8 March 2003
    Camp Patriot, Kuwait
    From left, British mine countermeasures ship HMS Sandown (M 110) and Ardent stand together in the waters of the North Arabian Sea. The two pulled alongside one another for fuel intake, allowing their crews a few hours’ break. Routinely, minesweeper ships from both nations take part in exercises to hone the skills and abilities of their well-trained crews
    U.S. Navy photo photo 030308-N-1050K-007 by Journalist 1st Class Joseph Krypel
    Ardent 271k c. January 2005
    Photo sign by LCDR Lance C. Esswein, USN commanding officer 15 August 2004 - 8 February 2005
    Tommy Trampp
    Ardent 169k 19 July 2005
    Persian Gulf
    Ardent conducts Surface Action Group operations during exercise Nautical Union. Nautical Union is a joint exercise directed through Commander Destroyer Squadron Five Zero (COMDESRON 50) between the U.S. and coalition forces.
    Defense Visual Information Center photo 050719-N-5526M-012 by Photographer's Mate 1st class Robert R. McRill
    Original photo: Bill Gonyo
    Replacement photo: Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR, Ret.
    Ardent 83k 4 April 2006 DC1(SW/SS) David Johnston, USNR
    MCM Crew Implicit
    Ardent 103k 4 April 2006
    Refueling from USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7)
    Ardent 405k 19 September 2006
    Persian Gulf
    The amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2) and Ardent conduct mine sweeping operations in the Persian gulf. Saipan was on deployment conducting maritime security operations in support of the global war on terrorism
    U.S. Navy photo photo 060919-N-2651J-022 by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Gary L. Johnson III
    Robert M. Cieri
    Ardent 277k 1 December 2006
    Persian Gulf
    One of the Navy's Mine Neutralization Vehicles (MNV) is raised after a mine countermeasure exercise aboard Ardent. The MNV's mission is to seek and destroy mines and is used in the region to support maritime security operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material
    U.S. Navy photo photo 061201-N-5555T-003 by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas
    Ardent 118k 1 December 2006
    Persian Gulf
    One of the Navy's Mine Neutralization Vehicles (MNV) is raised out of the water after the completion of a mine countermeasure exercise aboard Ardent in the Arabian Gulf. The MNV's mission is to seek and destroy mines and is used in the region to support maritime security operations
    Defense Visual Information Center photo 061201-N-5555T-007 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas
    Bill Gonyo
    Ardent 98k 2 December 2006
    Persian Gulf
    Ardent's Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Angel Cruz speaks to Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kori Melvin on Officer of the Deck procedures during a mine countermeasure exercise. The exercise is being conducted in support of maritime security operations.
    Defense Visual Information Center photo 061202-N-5555T-012 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas
    Ardent 147k 2 December 2006
    Persian Gulf
    Ardent's minemen move a Type 1 float that is used to conduct mechanical mine sweeping prior to a mine countermeasure exercise. The exercise is being conducted in support of maritime
    security operations
    Defense Visual Information Center photo 061202-N-5555T-017 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas
    Ardent 224k 2 December 2006
    Persian Gulf
    Ardent mineman moves a Type 1 float that is used to conduct mechanical mine sweeping prior to a mine countermeasure exercise
    U.S. Navy photo photo 061202-N-5555T-018 by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas
    Robert M. Cieri
    Ardent 327k 2 December 2006
    Arabian Sea
    Sailors with the mine countermeasures ship Ardent test the motor to a mine neutralization vehicle (MNV) in the Arabian Sea prior to conducting a mine countermeasure exercise. The MNV's mission is to seek and destroy mines; it is used in the region to support maritime security operations
    U.S. Navy photo photo 061202-N-5555T-019 by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas
    Ardent 337k 12 August 2008
    Manama, Bahrain
    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead is piped ashore after visiting Sailors aboard the Ardent. Roughead, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe R. Campa, Jr. traveled throughout the Central Command Area of Operation to visit Sailors, thank them for their contributions and hear their thoughts firsthand
    U.S. Navy photo photo 080812-N-8273J-085 by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones
    Robert M. Cieri
    Gladiator, Ardent & Dextrous 254k 5 September 2009
    The Royal Navy fleet auxiliary dock landing ship RFA Lyme Bay (L 3007) leads a formation of ships including the mine countermeasure ships USS Gladiator (MCM 11), Ardent, USS Dextrous (MCM-13), the Royal Navy single-role minehunter HMS Grimsby (M108) and the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) during a training exercise. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility
    U.S. Navy photo 090905-N-3165S-631 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan Steinhour
    Robert Hurst
    Ardent 332k 23 May 2010
    Manama, Bahrain
    Ardent returns to sea after the three-month dry dock portion of the service restricted availability period at Mina Salman pier. The ship underwent interior and exterior painting, preservation, renovations and repairs
    U.S. Navy photo 100523-N-5821P-064 by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jason T. Poplin
    Bill Gonyo
    Ardent 201k 27 May 2010
    Manama, Bahrain
    Lt. Cmdr. Jose Roman, Commanding Officer of Ardent, discusses maintenance done to the ship with Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 5
    U.S. Navy photo 100527-N-6832D-086 by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Brianna Dandridge
    Ardent 364k 16 August 2010
    Arabian Sea
    U.S. Navy photo 100816-N-8959T-522 by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Cassandra Thompson
    Ardent
    11121201
    578k The Mine countermeasures ship Ardent (MCM-12) transits away from Afloat Forward Staging Base Interim (I) Ponce (AFSB-15) after completing a replenishment-at-sea during phase two of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 12, on 25 September 2012 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lewis Hunsaker. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Photo ID 120925-N-LQ799-280. Flickr via Robert Hurst.
    Sentry 245k Multinational ships underway in formation in the Persian Gulf 21 May 2013, during International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 2013. IMCMEX is an international symposium and exercise designed to enhance cooperation, mutual maritime capabilities and long-term regional stability between the U.S. and its international partners. The column on the right (from the viewer's perspective) is, front to back, the RFA Cardigan Bay (L 3009), Ardent, another U.S. Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, an Al Jawf-class minehunter of the Royal Saudi Navy, and a British Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel (probably the HMS Atherstone (M 38). The middle column is the USS Ponce
    (AFSB(I)-15), HMS Shoreham (M 112)
    , French ship FS Sagittaire (M 650), and the USS Sentry (MCM 3). The column on the left is the USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168), the HMS Ramsey (M 110), a Frankenthal-class minehunter of the United Arab Emirates Navy (probably the Al Hasbah (M 01), a Munsif-class minehunter Munsif (M 166) of the Pakistan Navy, and in the distance probably another Pakistani Munsif-class ship
    Department of Defense photo 130521-N-OA702-308 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Sandberg, U.S. Navy
    Robert Hurst
    Champion 413k c. January 2014
    Naval Station San Diego, CA
    Scout (MCM 8), Ardent, Champion (MCM 4), and Chief (MCM 14)
    BMCS Richard Miller, USNR, Ret.
    Ardent
    11121220
    116k Ardent (MCM 12) underway in San Diego harbor, 23 May 2019. Photo copyright George Schneider George Schneider

    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR John Thomas Ririe, USN08 February 1994 - 12 August 1995
    02LCDR Richard Banks Landolt, USN - Retired as Rear Admiral12 August 1995 - 04 September 1996
    03LCDR Shaun Gillilland, USN04 September 1996 -21 January 1997
    04LCDR Jeffery Richmond Howlett, USN21 January 1997 - 24 June 1997
    05LCDR Kevin Peter Campbell, USN24 June 1997 - 19 January 1998
    06CDR Timothy Thompson Smith, USN - USNA Class of 198319 January 1998 - 22 April 1998
    07LCDR James Robert Boorujy, USN - USNA Class of 198322 April 1998 - 07 October 1998 (Crew Charlie)
    08LCDR Christopher Watson Grady, USN - Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat "V", and the Joint Service Achievement Medal07 October 1998 - 20 March 1999 (Crew Echo)
    09LCDR William Claiborne Harris, USN20 March 1999 - 9 September 1999
    10LCDR Curt William Steigers, USN - USNA Class of 19859 September 1999 - 18 February 2000
    11LCDR Rodelio (Rudy) Laco, Jr., USNR18 February 2000 - 11 April 2001
    12LCDR Mark Stephen Manfredi, USN11 April 2001 - 12 December 2002
    13LCDR Scott Joseph Shepard, USN - USNA Class of 199112 December 2002 - 15 August 2004
    14LCDR Lance Christopher Esswein, USN15 August 2004 - 8 February 2005
    15LCDR Ian Michael Hall, USN8 February 2005 - 20 February 2005
    16LCDR David Thomas (Tom) Peterson, USN - USNA Class of 199120 February 2005 - August 2005
    17LCDR Michael Edward Hutchens, USN - USNA Class of 1992August 2005 - January 2006
    18LCDR Philip Edward Sobeck, USN - USNA Class of 1991January 2006 - June 2006
    19LCDR James Paul Lowell, USN - USNA Class of 1993June 2006 - August 2006
    20LCDR Walter Scott Switzer, USNAugust 2006 - 28 October 2006
    21LCDR Michael Scott Sciretta, USN28 October 2006 - 03 November 2006
    22LCDR Angel Castro Cruz, USN03 November 2006 - February 2007
    23LCDR Michael Scott Sciretta, USN - Awarded four Legions of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and the Joint Service Meritorious Unit Ribbon
    Currently (2022) Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, Naples, Italy - Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
    February 2007 - March 2007 (Crew Fearless)
    24LCDR James LeRoy Storm, USN - Awarded two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals2007 - March 2008 (Crew Fearless)
    25LCDR John A. Krisciunas, USNMarch 2008 - 09 July 2009
    26LCDR Mark Bryan Stefanik, USN - USNA Class of 199809 July 2009 - 11 September 2009
    27LCDR Elaine Ann Brunelle, USN11 September 2009 - 05 February 2010
    28LCDR 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 Medals05 February 2010 - August 2010 (Crew Constant)
    29LCDR Spencer P. Austin, USNAugust 2010 - March 2011 (Crew Fearless)
    30LCDR Martin John Holguin, USNMarch 2011 - 27 October 2011
    31LCDR 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 Achievement Medal
    27 October 2011 - 30 March 2012 (Crew Conflict)
    32LCDR Daniel Lee Shorter, II, USN30 March 2012 - July 2012 (Crew Fearless)
    33LCDR Thomas Peter Abbott, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service, five Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Achievement MedalsJuly 2012 - 20 May 2013 (Crew Constant)
    34LCDR James Joseph Sordi, Jr., USN - Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals2012 (Crew Persistent)
    35LCDR Chavius Germaine Lewis, USN19 June 2013 - 01 January 2014 (Crew Conflict)
    36LCDR Thomas Peter Abbott, USN1 January 2014 - 10 January 2014 (Crew Constant)
    37LCDR Rion William Martin, USN - USNA Class of 200210 January 2014
    38LCDR Jeffrey Joseph Murawski, USN - Awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals2015 - 15 June 2015
    39LCDR Jermaine B. Brooms, USN15 June 2015 - November 2016
    40LCDR Samuel Hoard, Jr., USNNovember 2016 - December 2017
    41LCDR Catherine Abigall B. Reppert, USN - USNA Class of 2006
    Awarded four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal
    December 2017 - March 2019 (Crew Bulwark)
    42LCDR Samuel A. Moffett, USN - Awarded three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement MedalsMarch 2019 - 27 August 2020
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves, Joe Radigan and Bill Gonyo

    View the Ardent (MCM 12)
    DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
    Additional Resources and Websites of Interest
    Official Navy Website for USS Ardent (MCM-12)

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    This page was created by Joseph M. Radigan & David L. Wright
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    Last Updated 14 December 2023