The Spokane Trophy is presented annually to the U.S. Pacific Fleet surface combatant ship considered to be the most proficient in overall combat systems readiness and warfare operations.
“While Barry is one of the most advanced warships in the fleet, our strongest tactical asset is our crew,” said Cmdr. Chris Gahl, Commanding Officer of USS Barry. “No matter the challenge, together we find a way to overcome it and accomplish the mission every time. Our tactical prowess, sustained operational excellence, and combat readiness makes Barry a ‘force to be reckoned with’ in one of the most important strategic regions.”
The Spokane Trophy is awarded to recognize a ship’s ability to conduct sustained simultaneous and coordinated Air Warfare (AW), Surface Warfare (SUW), and Anti Surface Warfare (ASW) operations with all installed equipment.
“Tactical proficiency is fundamental to combat ready ships and battle minded crews,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Burke, Barry’s Combat Systems Officer and recent recipient of Destroyer Squadron 15’s 2020 Junior Officer for Excellence in Tactics.
Barry was selected as this year’s recipient for all around tactical excellence during a year that saw the ship conduct a multitude of real-world and exercise tasking throughout the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
During 2020, Barry conducted operations throughout the East and South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the Sea of Japan. Barry executed multiple Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs), Strike Group and Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare, RONALD REAGAN Strike Group escort, AMERICA Expeditionary Strike Group escort, United Nations Security Council Enforcement Cell operations, and served as the Activated Sea Combat, Air and Missile Defense, and Information Warfare Commanders.
“Through every training evolution and bilateral exercise, we strengthen Barry’s lethal capabilities, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing a credible deterrent to those that would not embrace recognized international norms,” said Lt. Cmdr. Burke. “During 2021, Barry continued to refine our tactical skill sets as we operated throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
Barry participated in nine bi-lateral, multinational, or joint exercises flexing tactics and interoperability across U.S., and ally and partner nations. These exercises include, Bilateral Advanced Warfare Training (BAWT) alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) enhancing ally interoperability and Exercise NOBEL BASTION where Barry tested proof of concept warfighting capabilities under a joint warfighting construct. During Exercise PACIFIC VANGUARD, Barry was the sole U.S. warship alongside ships from the Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, and Japan, as they worked to refine the full spectrum of military operations.
“Exercises like these strengthen existing bonds and reconfirm the shared commitment to the free and open Indo-Pacific where adherence to international norms drives regional peace and prosperity,” said Cmdr. Gahl.
Barry was honored as Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) Unit Tactics Award winner as well as the Destroyer Squadron 15 Battle ‘E’ recipient and as the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Bloodhound Award winner marking her as the best ASW ship in the Pacific Fleet.
Barry is the first ship to win both the Atlantic Fleet’s Battenberg Cup and the Pacific Fleet’s Spokane Trophy.
The Spokane Trophy was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt to recognize naval warfighting proficiency. The trophy is kept on permanent display at the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters building in San Diego.
The Battenberg Cup is awarded annually as a symbol of operational excellence to the best ship or submarine in the Atlantic Fleet. Barry won the Battenberg Cup in 1994, 1996, and 1998 and now won the Spokane Trophy in 2020.
Barry is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet largest forward-deployed fleet and routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect critical regional partnerships.