The USS Kidd (DDG-100) is an Arleigh Burke-class (Flight IIA) guided missile destroyer serving in the United States Navy. She is the third vessel to bear the name, honoring Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who perished aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship's primary role is to operate as part of Destroyer Squadron 1 within Carrier Strike Group 1, currently centered around the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Notably, USS Kidd is the only active Navy vessel officially permitted to fly the Jolly Roger. Constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Kidd was christened on 22 January 2005 by Admiral Kidd’s granddaughters, Regina Kidd Wolbarsht and Mary Kidd Plumer. The ship faced early setbacks during her final outfitting when Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast, damaging her and necessitating repairs, including turbine replacement. These events delayed her commissioning, which took place on 9 June 2007 in Galveston, Texas. Her homeport is Everett, Washington. Throughout her service, USS Kidd has been involved in notable operations. On 5 January 2012, she rescued 13 crew members held hostage by Somali pirates aboard the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Molai, capturing fifteen pirates without casualties. In 2014, Kidd participated in the international search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, joining other ships and aircraft in the South China Sea before relocating to the Indian Ocean based on new evidence. The vessel also responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with reports on 24 April 2020 indicating a sailor tested positive for the virus, prompting testing and disinfection measures onboard. Additionally, Kidd was featured in the 2009 film "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," where her depiction included a fictional rail gun used against Decepticons, although the actual filming was done with USS Preble (DDG-88). Overall, USS Kidd (DDG-100) exemplifies modern naval capabilities, with a history marked by rescue, search-and-rescue, and operational readiness, contributing significantly to U.S. maritime security and humanitarian efforts.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.