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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 Craft:

Built by Bollinger Machine Shop and Shipyard, Lockport, LA (YN 258)

Ordered, 19 July 1991

Laid down, 17 September 1993

Launched, 10 June 1994

Commissioned, 10 June 1995

Decommissioned at Manama, Bahrain, 23 February 2022

Transferred to Royal Bahraini Naval Forces RBNS Jenan (73), 30 March 2022

Specifications:

Displacement 328.5 t.(lt), 331 t.(fl)

Length 170'

Beam 25'

Draft less than 8'

Speed 35 kts.

Complement 28, eight Special Warfare Det./USCG Det

Armament: Two Mk38 25mm mounts, two .50 cal. machine guns, six Stinger missiles, two Mk19 automatic grenade launcher and one Mk52 Mod 0 chaff launcher

Propulsion: Four 838shp Paxman diesel engines, four shafts.

Click on thumbnail for full size image	Size	Image Description	Source
Namesake
	52k	*Firebolt* - (Another name for a lightning bolt) A flash of lightning conceived as a bolt or dart hurled from the heavens	Tommy Trampp
USS Firebolt (PC 10)
	61k		Brian Clough
	118k	1 November 1996 Aerial views of Firebolt returning from a Mediterranean deployment	David Tilton Defense Visual Information Center
	93k
	91k
	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
	634k	5 April 1999 Yorktown, VA This starboard beam view shows the vessels splinter camouflage paint scheme. The patrol craft’s primary mission is coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance. These ships also provide full mission support for Navy SEALs and other special operations forces. U.S. Navy photo 990405-N-0000C-001 by William H. Clark	Original photo: Robert M. Cieri Replacement photo: Robert Hurst
	244k	10 March 2003 Camp Patriot, Kuwait The U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship Firebolt sits moored in port displaying the "Don't Tread On Me" flag. The flag was authorized for all U.S. Navy ships by the Secretary of the Navy and will be displayed throughout the duration of the war on terror. Firebolt was forward deployed and conducted missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo 03010-N-5362A-001 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson	Robert M. Cieri
	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
	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
	431k	29 April 2005 Firebolt tends to some of the 89 survivors rescued from the Gulf of Aden after the small vessel they were traveling in capsized 25 miles off the coast of Somalia. There are possibly 41 people unaccounted for and five were pronounced dead at the scene. The guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), coastal patrol ship USS Typhoon (PC-5), and German frigate FGS Karlsruhe (F 212) assisted in the rescue effort Department of Defense photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Robert R. McRill, U.S. Navy	Robert Hurst
	161k	20 October 2005 Persian Gulf The coastal patrol craft Firebolt underway in the Persian Gulf. Firebolt was underway on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations. MSO is aimed at setting the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. U.S. Navy photo 051020-N-9362D-003 by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Randall Damm	Robert M. Cieri
	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
	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
	284k	13 August 2008 Umm Qasr, Iraq Iraqi sailors look on from the pier as the coastal patrol boat Firebolt arrives at the port of Umm Qasr. Firebolt is making the port visit as part of Iraq Navy Day celebrations, marking the first visit by a U.S. ship to Iraq in more than 15 months. U.S. Navy photo 080813-N-5068C-014 by Lt. Nathan Christensen	Robert M. Cieri
	308k	1 October 2011 Firebolt steams ahead during an exercise in the Arabian Gulf Navy News Service photo 111001-N-VN693-288 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter M. Wayman	Robert Hurst
	276k	21 May 2013 Firebolt and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon (D 35) underway during International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 2013. IMCMEX 13 includes navies from more than 40 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility Royal Navy photo 130521-O-ZZ999-101 by L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
	244k	8 April 2014 Arabian Gulf Patrol Coastal Squadron ONE, transits in formation alongside other patrol ships [Tempest (PC 2), Squall (PC 7), Whirlwind (PC 11), Firebolt, Typhoon (PC 5) and Thunderbolt (PC 12)] during a maneuvering exercise. Firebolt is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts Coastal Patrol Command photo 140408-N-LO156-837 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martin Cuaron. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet
	272k	30 September 2017 Manama, Bahrain Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., left, commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic, walks with Cmdr. Kendall Bridgewater, commodore of Coastal Patrol Squadron, towards the coastal patrol ship Firebolt [inboard of Whirlwind (PC 11)] after a tour of USS Sentry (MCM 3). Wilson is on a week-long trip to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of operations to tour assigned surface forces, meet with senior leaders and speak with Sailors U.S. Navy photo 170930-N-XP344-0016 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Victoria Kinney	Lee Wahler
	90k	This 14 April 2020, file photo provided by the U.S. Army shows the USS Firebolt in Manama, Bahrain. The Firebolt fired warning shots when vessels of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard came too close to a recent patrol in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy said Wednesday, 28 April 2021 Photo by Spc. Cody Rich, U.S. Army	Bob Haner

Commanding Officers
01	LT Charles Francis Williams, USN - Retired as Rear Admiral	10 June 1995 - February 1997
02	LCDR Daniel Edward Voth, USN	February 1997 - 25 February 1999
03	LT David William Haas, USN	25 February 1999 - 9 July 1999
04	LCDR Daniel P. (Skip) Shaw, USN	9 July 1999 - 29 October 1999
05	LCDR John Fredric G. Wade, USN - USNA Class of 1990 Retired as Rear Admiral	29 October 1999 - 27 July 2001
06	LCDR Nick Anthony Sarap, Jr., USN	27 July 2001 - 14 April 2003
07	LT Richard D. Butler, USN	14 April 2003 - 24 January 2004
08	LCDR Michael Thuoc Sullivan, USN	24 January 2004 - 1 April 2004
09	CDR Shan Michael Byrne, USN - USNA Class of 1989	1 April 2004 - 15 April 2004
10	LCDR Mark Alan Olson, USN - USNA Class of 1992	15 April 2004 - June 2004
11	LT Patrick Thein, USN - USNA Class of 1995	June 2004 - 29 July 2004
12	LCDR Bradley L. Stallings, USN	29 July 2004 - 8 October 2004
13	LT Michael J. Manor, USN	8 October 2004 - 27 December 2004
14	LCDR Richard D. Butler, USN	27 December 2004 - July 2005
15	LT Marisa L. McClure, USN	July 2005 - December 2005
16	LT Jeffrey David Sturm, USN	2006
17	LT Nakia Monte Cooper, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals	2007
18	LT Theodore James Nunamaker, USN - USNA Class of 1996	2007
19	LT Trent Thompson, USN	2008
20	LT Matthew J. Lehman, USN	October 2009
21	LT John Sam Barsano, USN - Awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and five Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals	2010
22	LT Jeffrey D. Baker, USN - Awarded six Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals	2010
23	LT Andrew Joseph Klug, USN - Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal	2010
24	LT Benjamin Ryan Ventresca, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals	10 March 2011
25	LCDR Austin Wood Duff, USN - Awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals	2012 (Crew Charlie)
26	LCDR Thomas Edward Cunningham, III, USN	February 2013
27	LCDR Casey M. Mahon, USN - Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals	August 2013 (Crew Foxtrot)
28	LCDR Frank James Azzarello, USN - Awarded four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals	September 2013 - 11 October 2013 (Crew Kilo)
29	LT Gillian Molina, USN	11 October 2013
30	LCDR Larry R. Ford, Jr., USN	May 2015
31	LCDR Roger Lee Young, USN	2018
36	LCDR Raymond W. Miller, IV, USN	- 23 February 2022
??	LCDR Mitchell Dane McGuffie, USN - USNA Class of 2003
??	LCDR James "Jim" Lowell, USN - USNA Class of 1993
??	LT Michael Kenneth Wagner, USN
??	LCDR Philip Eric Knight, USN	(Crew Alpha)
??	LCDR Matthew D. Arndt USN - Awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, eight Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and six Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals

Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

View the Firebolt (PC 10)
DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website

Additional Resources and Websites of Interest
Patrol Craft Sailors Association

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This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by David L. Wright

Last Updated 30 March 2025

NavSource Online: Patrol Craft CoastalPhoto Archive

Firebolt (PC 10)

NavSource Online: Patrol Craft Coastal
Photo Archive