Captain David Schnell retired honorably from the U.S. Navy after nearly three decades as a commander of vessels deployed around the world. Among Captain David Schnell’s accomplishments was commanding the USS Peleliu and the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Named after the 38th U.S. President, the USS Ford maintains status as the lead vessel among its class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It honors a president who achieved distinction as a member of the Navy during World War II and served in combat duty in the Pacific Theater on the USS Monterey (CVL 26). With construction starting in 2005 at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s shipyards, the USS Ford was christened in 2013 and represents a significant upgrade from the Nimitz-class carrier. In addition to a state of the art nuclear power plant, the ship has an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System that replaced steam catapults, as well as a redesigned island that is both shorter in length and taller. Other innovations included an improved flight deck layout that boosted sortie rates by 25 percent and an Advanced Aircraft Recovery System. With reduced manning requirements in place, the ship also incorporates an advanced combat system and elevated power generation capacities.
0 Comments
Before retiring honorably, Captain David Schnell served in the United States Navy for 27 years, during which he commanded two warships, the USS Peleliu (LHA-5) and USS Ford (FFG-54). While serving as commanding officer on the USS Ford, Captain David Schnell oversaw every aspect of the ship's daily operations, including combat effectiveness, while serving with a carrier strike group. The USS Ford was christened June 23, 1984, and commissioned at Naval Station Long Beach, California, on June 29, 1985. The guided-missile frigate, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class vessel, takes its name from Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford (1942-1968). The USS Ford deployed in 1999 as part of the Middle East Force (MEF) 99-3. Shortly thereafter, it was deployed for six months in the United States 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR). In 2001, it provided support during Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations, which took place in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. To engage in the Global War on Terrorism, the USS Ford deployed as part of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group in 2004. For several months in early 2006, it conducted anti-drug operations in South American waters, and, from 2007 to 2011, it participated in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises in Southeast Asia, among other deployments. The ship was decommissioned in 2013 after 28 years of service. Most recently, in 2018, the United States Navy announced plans to commit the USS Ford, along with the USS Ingraham (FFG-61), to sinking exercises (SINKEX). Captain David Schnell is a retired Navy officer who now serves as vice president of operations for the electronic tolling collection division of Xerox’s Americas Commercial and State Government Transportation Group in Los Angeles. Faithful to his military legacy, Captain David Schnell is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 15005. A number of natural disasters ravaged the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and other American territories in 2017. Through its Unmet Needs Program, however, the VFW says it was able to provide $684,000 in emergency relief funding to help more than 2,000 veterans and their families start the recovery process in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma, as well as the California wildfires. In addition, many VFW volunteers provided front-line support to these communities. In Puerto Rico alone, VFW Post 12064 handed out upwards of 1,000 meals and clean drinking water to veterans struggling in the wake of the disaster. They also helped clear away debris and assisted veterans in locating temporary lodging and finding other resources to help them get back on their feet. Despite facing a strong tropical cyclone offshore near Okinawa, Japan, with 110-knot winds and 28-foot swells, the USS Ford (FFG-54), commanded by Captain David Schnell, completed its five-month mission and returned to Naval Station Everett. Led by Captain David Schnell, who retired honorably after a nearly 30-year career in the United States Navy, and his crew used evasive maneuvers to avoid the worst of the cyclone. Friends and family members greeted the sailors who had been away for more than six months at Naval Station Everett. During its deployment, which was extended by an additional month, the crew patrolled the Western Pacific, South China Sea, and Sea of Japan. While there, it participated in various naval exercises, including Northern Edge, Joint Air-Sea Exercise (JASEX), and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). “It was a great deployment. We did get extended for a month, but the crew took it in stride. As a consolation, we ended up getting a port visit to Australia,” said Captain Schnell. Former Navy Officer Captain David Schnell serves as the vice president of operations for the electronic tolling division of Xerox’s Americas Commercial & State Transportation Group (ACSTG). During his time in the Navy, Captain David Schnell served as commander of two ships – USS Ford and USS Peleliu. In recent years, Newport News Shipbuilding began constructing a new class of Navy supercarriers. Known as the Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers or simply the Ford class, the new ships include a pair of redesigned reactors that improve onboard electrical capacity by 250 percent. In addition to improving weapons loading and aircraft launch times, the new reactors will save the Navy approximately $4 billion over the course of the ship’s 50-year lifespan. In terms of design, the Ford class represents the first class of aircraft carrier modeled entirely using advanced 3D design platforms. All components of the ship were created at full scale in a 3D model, allowing for seamless integration of design, planning, engineering, and construction. The first Ford class carrier has completed construction and is currently awaiting commissioning. To learn more, visit www.thefordclass.com. The general manager of Los Angeles Express Lanes for the Americas Commercial & State Transportation Group, Captain David Schnell served 27 years in the United States Navy. Over the course of his military career, Captain David Schnell commanded two American warships including the USS Ford. An Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, the USS Ford bears the name of Gunner’s Mate Second Class and Vietnam War hero Patrick Osborne Ford. The Los Angeles division of the Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation constructed the ship. Todd Pacific laid the USS Ford’s keel on July 16, 1983. The ship’s christening took place June 23, 1984, and the Navy commissioned the vessel on June 29, 1985. The USS Ford measured 453 feet in length and supported 17 officers and 198 enlisted sailors. Using two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines and two 350-horsepower electric-drive auxiliary propulsion units to power a single five-bladed propeller, the ship was capable of reaching speeds in excess of 28 knots. Decommissioned on October 31, 2013, the USS Ford received a formal farewell ceremony at Washington State’s Naval Station Everett. Captain David Schnell retired from the U.S. Navy after 27 years of service. Having commanded two naval warships, Captain David Schnell was awarded numerous medals over the course of his distinguished career. Among them is the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM). On November 3, 1977, then President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12019 establishing the DMSM. It is the third highest Defense/Joint peacetime award. The DMSM has similar criteria as the Meritorious Service Medal, but it is bestowed upon those assigned to specified joint activities. Aside from U.S. armed forces members who are on active duty, the award is also given to armed forces members of friendly foreign nations. The meritorious service rendered is primarily for a time period of more than 12 months and covers a person’s entire joint assignment, including any extensions. The achievement or service must clearly separate the individual from his or her peers. |
About Captain David SchnellA decorated officer of the United States Navy, Captain David Schnell earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Metal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal during his many years of service. Archives
February 2017
Categories
All
|