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The following was released by the Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs):

                                           No. 394-94
                                           (703)697-5342(media)
                                           (703)697-3189(copies)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE      June 30, 1994       (703)697-
                                           5737(public/industry)

     NAVY TO COMMISSION COASTAL PATROL SHIP SQUALL (PC 7)

     The U.S. Navy will commission the coastal patrol ship Squall
(PC 7) at the base of the St. Louis Arch in St. Louis, Missouri,
on Monday, July 4, 1994, commencing at 4:30 p.m.

     Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri will be the
ceremony's principal speaker.  Mrs. Lea Ann Edwards, wife of
Representative Chet Edwards of Texas, is the ship's sponsor.

     Squall (PC 7) is named for a weather element and is the
seventh of 13 Cyclone Class ships scheduled to be built. The
ship's primary mission is maritime special operations which
includes conducting coastal patrol and interdiction -- an
important aspect of littoral operations outlined in the Navy's
strategy, "...From the Sea."  The ship will also provide full
mission support for special operations forces.

     The ship's armament includes one Stinger missile station,
40MM grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns and 25MM chain
guns.  Each coastal patrol ship is 170 feet in length, has a beam
of 25 feet, an 8-foot draft, and displaces approximately 331 tons
fully loaded. The ship will be manned by a crew of four officers
and 24 enlisted personnel. Lieutenant Commander (Select) Chris J.
McDonald, U.S. Navy, is the ship's commanding officer.
                               -USN-