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The following was released by the Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs):
                                         No. 543-94
                                         (703) 697-5342 (Media)
                                         (703) 697-3189 (Copies)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE   September 22, 1994   (703) 697-5342 (Public)

      NAVY ANNOUNCES CHRISTENING OF  COASTAL PATROL SHIPS
             FIREBOLT (PC 10) AND WHIRLWIND (PC 11)

     The U.S. Navy's newest coastal patrol ships, Firebolt (PC
10), and Whirlwind (PC 11), will be christened in a dual ceremony
on Saturday, September 24, 1994, at Bollinger Machine Shop &
Shipyard, Lockport, Louisiana, commencing at 10 a.m.

     Andrea Danzig, wife of Under Secretary of the Navy, Richard
Danzig, will be the Sponsor for Firebolt (PC 10), and Betty Ann
Tanner, wife of Representative John S. Tanner of Tennessee, will
be the Sponsor for Whirlwind (PC 11).  Each Sponsor will break a
bottle of champagne over the bow in the age old Navy tradition,
and formally name the ship.

     Representative Tanner will be the ceremony's principal
speaker.   Richard Danzig will also speak.

     Firebolt and Whirlwind are the 10th and 11th of 13 Cyclone
class ships authorized by Congress.  These ships are named for
weather elements.  No previous U.S. Navy ships have been named
Firebolt.  One previous ship has been named Whirlwind, a steamer
(1917-1918) which served during World War I.  The ships' primary
mission is maritime special operations, which includes conducting
coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance -- an important
aspect of littoral operations outlined in the Navy's strategy,
"Forward ...From the Sea."  These ships will also provide full
mission support for naval special operations forces.

     Coastal patrol ships are armed with one Stinger missile
station, 40MM grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns and
25MM chain guns.  Each ship will be manned by a crew of four
officers and 24 enlisted personnel, is 170 feet in length, has a
beam of 25 feet and displaces approximately 331 tons fully
loaded.
                               -USN-