USS Shoup leaves Naval Station Everett for California

EVERETT — Port Gardner was the only place it had called home.

The USS Shoup left Naval Station Everett a couple of weeks ago for its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego.

About 300 sailors moved with it. The Navy has not said if another ship will replace it. There are now five Navy vessels homeported at the base.

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer was named after Gen. David M. Shoup, who was the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was given the Medal of Honor for his service during World War II.

The Shoup first arrived at Naval Station Everett in May 2002. It was commissioned in Seattle the next month, marking its entry into service.

“Of all the destroyers currently here, the Shoup would have been the longest homeported in Everett,” said Kristin Ching, a spokeswoman for Naval Station Everett.

The USS Momsen now holds that title, she said.

The Shoup’s first deployment was during the summer of 2003, to the coast of South America.

Last year, in November, it returned from its final assignment from Everett. The crew traveled to the western Pacific.

The purpose of both those trips was to combat illegal trafficking.

The Shoup left Everett for good Feb. 22. Because of standard security practices the Navy can not confirm if the journey to California is complete, said Lt. Andrew DeGarmo, a spokesman for the ship.

Once the Shoup reaches its new homeport, it’ll undergo nearly $80 million of maintenance.

Naval Base San Diego is located in San Diego Bay. The base covers 1,600 acres on land, and another nearly 330 acres of water. More than 50 ships are homeported there.

Capt. Mike Davis, of Naval Station Everett, is expected to give the annual State of the Station address April 11.

In the past year, the station has welcomed the USS Ralph Johnson and a new commanding officer. It also received news that the USS Nimitz would not return from Bremerton.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.