USS Zumwalt docks in Seward on way to exercises

The USS Zumwalt, one of only three specialized destroyers of its class in the United States Navy, made an imposing sight Friday as it filled a terminal in Seward’s harbor — which is typically designated for cruise ships. That was even before dozens of crew members in military uniforms began an extensive chain from the flight deck to the dock moving onboard boxes of food and supplies.

The ship, which is usually based in California, is in Alaska to participate in Northern Edge, its commanding officer, Capt. Matthew Hall, said Friday. Northern Edge, he said, is about interoperability.

Hall said that in Northern Edge, the Zumwalt will get the opportunity to work alongside different kinds of ships — even from other nations. That also means that others will get their chance to work with the Zumwalt, which he described as “a new class of ship.”

“We’re out here shaking around and making sure that everything works,” he said.

The Zumwalt, Hall explained during a tour of the vessel with Seward’s Mayor Sue McClure and other representatives of the city, is uniquely designed to fill a very small radar footprint. Pointing to the fishing boats that filled most of Seward’s harbor, he said the Zumwalt would look almost the same.

The ship often flies radar reflectors to increase that footprint when it’s not trying to be stealthy, he said. It could be dangerous to present so small a footprint while operating alongside other vessels.

On the tour, Hall showed the Seward representatives around the flight deck, the upper exterior, the bridge and the internal bay that contained two small deployable boats.

The Zumwalt is one of three, but only two are active in the fleet — the third is still being built.

“We had a chance to take her on her first deployment last year,” Hall said. “That was a big win, making sure that we got out in the international stage, to prove that the class could do it.”

Because of its unique capabilities, and its relative youth among the fleet, Hall said that it was important to get experience alongside other ships — even just among American agencies — so they know “how to work with us.”

“In order to work well together, you have to work frequently together,” he said.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.