The Chief (MCM 14) is the 14th and last Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship and the third United States ship to bear that name. The keel was laid down on August 19, 1991, at Peterson Builders in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She was christened and launched on June 12, 1993. Mrs. Susan Bushey, the wife of the 7th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Duane R. Bushey (Ret.), served as sponsor of the ship. USS Chief was commissioned on November 5, 1994. Lt. Cmdr. Timothy S. Garolld in command.

July 19, 1996 Lt. Cmdr. Clliford S. Sharpe relieved Lt. Cmdr. Timothy S. Garolld as commanding officer of the Chief.

December 13, 1997 Lt. Cmdr. Christopher W. Grady relieved Lt. Cmdr. Clliford S. Sharpe as the 5th CO of the MCM 14 (Echo Crew).

From February 24 through March 13, 1998, the Chief was underway for MCM operations in the Panama City Op. Area. Inport NAS Pensacola, Fla., from March 9-10.

August 28, Lt. Cmdr. Timothy T. Smith relieved Lt. Cmdr. Christopher W. Grady as CO of the USS Chief (Hotel Crew).

From September 1-3, the mine countermeasures ship was underway for a shakedown cruise. Moored at Ingleside Turning Basin-Nest for "safe haven" from Tropical Storm Charlie from Sept. 10-12.

From Sept. 22-24, USS Chief was underway for routine training in the Corpus Christi OPAREA.

September 28, MCM 14 departed Naval Station Ingleside for a visit to U.S. Naval Academy. Brief stop in Naval Station Mayport, Fla., on Oct. 4; Port call to Morehead City to onload mine shapes on Oct. 7; Inport NAB Little Creek, Va., from Oct. 9-13.

October 15, USS Chief moored at Farragut Field in Annapolis, Md., for a four-day port visit. Inport Freeport, Bahamas, from Oct. 23-26; Port call to Key West, Fla., from Nov. 2-3.

November 7, The Chief pulled into Port Manatee, Fla., for a two-day visit in conjunction with the annual Manatee Festival. Returned home on Nov. 12; Underway for CART II on Nov. 19.

From March through the end of June 1999, USS Chief completed its TSTA I/II/III/FEP and also participated in GOMEX 99-1.

July 30, Lt. Cmdr. Christopher W. Grady relieved Lt. Cmdr. Curt W. Steigers as CO of the MCM 14 (Echo Crew).

August 19, Lt. Cmdr. Mark V. Dennis assumed command of the MCM Rotational Crew Echo.

From August 21-24, the Chief was moored at Ingleside Turning Basin-Nest 3 for a "safe haven" from Hurricane Bret.

In November, USS Chief was underway for a port visit to Port Everglades, Fla., to participate in annual Broward County Navy Days Ft. Lauderdale.

January 10, 2000 USS Chief entered the Peterson Builders Inc. shipyard in Ingleside for a three-month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA). Underway for sea trials on March 30; Underway for CO's Time from April 18-21; Underway for INSURV rehearsal from May 3-4; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on May 5; Underway for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment on May 18?; Underway for a port visit to Cancun, Mexico, from May 31- June 9; Underway for CO's Time from June 11-16; Underway for ECERT on Aug. 2?.

From August 25- Sept. 11, the mine countermeasures ship was underway for Fleet Battle Experiment Hotel off the East Coast. Underway for CO's Time from Sept. 19-22; Underway for a port visit to Port Everglades for Fleet Week from Sept. 25- Oct. 14; Underway for a Tailored Ships' Training Availability (TSTA) III from Nov. 6-10; Underway for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) from Nov. 12-17.

February 15, 2001 USS Chief departed homeport for a scheduled six-month eastern Pacific deployment.

April 19, Lt. Cmdr. Jon E. Lux relieved Lt. Cmdr. Mark V. Dennis as commanding officer of the Chief.

March 10, 2002 Lt. Cmdr. Scott D. Davis relieved Lt. Cmdr. Jon E. Lux as CO of the MCM 14.

January 13, 2003 USS Chief departed Ingleside, Texas, for a surge deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism, as part of the Mine Readiness Group (MRG) 3.

April 27, The Chief recently pulled into Valletta, Malta, for a liberty port visit.

November 23, 2004 Lt. Cmdr. David T. Peterson relieved Lt. Cmdr. Scott D. Davis as CO of USS Chief.

December 3, USS Chief recently pulled into Panama City, Fla., for a brief port call before participating in GOMEX 05-1. The exercise is scheduled quarterly for mine countermeasures units that have completed a basic mine countermeasures training phase. GOMEX marks the transition of a mine warfare readiness group from training to ready-to-deploy status and includes integrated surface, air and explosive ordnance disposal mine countermeasures operations.

September 21, 2005 MCM 14 moored outboard the USS Pioneer (MCM 9) and USS Gladiator (MCM 11), in a modified moor of five MCM ships at Ingleside Turning Basin-Nest, in preparation for Hurricane Catrina.

April 15, 2009 USS Chief arrived in its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego in San Diego, Calif., after a four-week transit from Ingleside, Texas. The relocation of the MCMs and other mine warfare (MIW) commands is in accordance with the Department of Defense Base Relocation and Closure Commission's (BRAC) directed closure of Naval Station Ingleside.

December 8, 2010 Cmdr. Robert S. Smith relieved Lt. Cmdr. James A. Rushton as CO of the Chief.

March 1, 2011 USS Chief, along with USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and six Royal Navy ships, is currently participating in a mine countermeasures exercise in the Arabian Gulf.

July 8, USS Chief returned to Naval Base San Diego after a six-month Middle East deployment.

From October 17-20, the Chief participated in a bilateral mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) off the coast of southern California.

February 29, 2012 USS Chief, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Matthew T. Erdner (Dominant Crew), departed San Diego for a two-day Certification Verification.

May 31, 2014 USS Chief, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. James S. Sordi (Persistent Crew), departed San Diego, after recently being loaded aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC)-chartered heavy lift ship M/V Eide Transporter, to be transported to its new homeport of Sasebo, Japan; Arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 26.

July 3, USS Chief was offloaded from heavy lift ship, during a float on/float off (FLO/FLO) operation at Fleet Activities Sasebo, and moored at Berth 1, India Basin for the first time.

July ?, Lt. Cmdr. James L. Correia assumed command of the Chief during an exchange of command and crew ("hull swap") ceremony with the USS Defender (MCM 2).

August 30, MCM 14 returned to Sasebo after a 10-day underway in support of Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) exercise.

October 19, USS Chief recently moored at Chinhae Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a brief port call before participating in annual mine counter-measures exercise Clear Horizon 2014.

January 28, 2015 The Chief departed Berth 10, India Basin for a three-day underway to conduct routine training; Underway with the USS Pioneer from Feb. 28- March 4.

March ?, Lt. Cmdr. Shane R. Dennis relieved Lt. Cmdr. James L. Correia as CO of the MCM 14.

March 27, USS Chief, along with USS Warrior (MCM 10), departed Sasebo to participate in a mine countermeasures exercise as part of the annual exercise Foal Eagle, off the coast of Chinhae, Republic of Korea, from March 30 through April 11; Returned home on April 13; Underway again from Aug. 26- Sept 3, Oct. 26- Nov. 4 and Nov. 16-21.

February 2?, 2016 USS Chief departed homeport for a squadron level mine countermeasures training off Okinawa; Brief stop at White Beach Naval Facility on March 11 and 21st; Inport Sasebo from March 23-25.

March 26, The Chief moored at Pier 11 in Chinhae Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a two-day port call before participating in annual joint exercise Foal Eagle; Moored at Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a training availability (TRAV) from April 7-18; Returned home on May 5.

September 13, MCM 14 moored at Berth 9, India Basin after a four-day underway for routine training.?

November 1?, USS Chief departed Fleet Activities Sasebo to participate in a bilateral mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 3JA, off the coast of Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture, from Nov. 20-28.

March 17, 2017 USS Chief departed homeport for a 17-day underway in support of the annual exercise Foal Eagle; Underway again on April 21; Moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a brief port call on April 23; Returned to Sasebo on April 28.

August 25, Lt. Cmdr. William A. Russell relieved Lt. Cmdr. Michael G. Tyree as commanding officer of the Chief.

August 31, USS Chief departed India Basin for a brief underway to conduct navigation checks and anchor drop tests; Underway again from Sept. 2-4, Sept. 12-14 and Sept. 25.

September 26, The Chief moored at Berth F2, Jeju Civilian-Military Complex on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, for a week-long port call.

October 10, USS Chief moored at Berth 2 in Busan Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a five-day port visit before participating in a multinational mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX); Moored at Chinhae Naval Base, ROK, from Oct. 20-2?; Returned home on Oct. 28.

November 21, USS Chief departed Sasebo to participate in annual mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 3JA in the Hyuga-nada Sea; Anchored off Hososhima, Miyazaki Prefecture, from Nov. 25-26; Moored at Berth 8, India Basin on Nov. 30.

January 18, 2018 MCM 14 moored at India Basin after a one-day underway off the coast of Sasebo; Underway again from Jan. 22-23; Day-long underway for Type Commander (TYCOM) Material Readiness Inspection (TMI) on Feb. 21; Day-long underway for INSURV assessment on March 27.

April 21, The mine countermeasures ship moored at Berth 9, India Basin after a 16-day underway in support of the annual exercise Foal Eagle; Underway for MINEX/EODEX 18-2JA on July 7.

July 9, USS Chief pulled into Niigata, Japan, for a brief port call; Moored in Port of Hakodate, Aichi Prefecture, from July 14-16; Returned home on Aug. 5; Underway again on Oct. 11.

October 15, The Chief moored at Berth 1 in Busan Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port visit before participating in a multinational mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX); Returned home on Oct. 29.

From November 24-27, USS Chief participated in a bilateral mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 3JA, in the Hyuga-nada Sea, with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships.

February 4, 2019 USS Chief departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a Indo-Pacific patrol.

February 10, The Chief conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9), while underway in the South China Sea; Moored at Berth 3, Conventional Terminal in Port of Muara, Brunei, from Feb. 15-1?; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) on Feb. 24.

February 26, USS Chief moored at Berth 205, Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) 2 in Port of Tanjung Priok, Indonesia, for a three-day visit; Transited the Singapore Strait westbound on March 5.

March 17, USS Chief moored at Berth 4, Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor, Republic of the Philippines, for a four-day port visit; Participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF 16) on March 21; Inport Manila again from March 22-25.?

April 2, USS Chief moored at India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a two-month patrol.

October 11, Lt. Cmdr. Joshua J. Cowart relieved Lt. Cmdr. Frederick D. Crayton as CO of the Chief during a change-of-command ceremony at Berth 8, India Basin.

April ?, 2020 USS Chief departed Sasebo for mine countermeasures operations in the Korean Strait, with the USS Pioneer (MCM 9); Returned home on April 6; Underway again from April 17-25.?

May 11, The Chief returned to homeport after a 10-day underway for mine warfare training exercise, off the coast of Okinawa, along with the USS Patriot (MCM 7) and USS Pioneer.

May 3, 2021 Lt. Cmdr. James C. Billings, III relieved Lt. Cmdr. Joshua J. Cowart as the 43rd CO of MCM 14 during a change-of-command ceremony at Berth 10, India Basin.

November 25, USS Chief moored at Berth 10, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo after an eight-day underway for mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 3JA, off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture; Underway again on Dec. 14.

April 14, 2022 The Chief is currently moored at Berth 8, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo; Underway in support of a mine countermeasures exercise Noble Vanguard on May 1?; Returned home on May 2?; Moved to Berth 3, India Basin on June 6; Moved to Berth 8 on June ?.

June 23, Lt. Cmdr. C. Randy Hayes relieved Lt. Cmdr. James C. Billings, III as CO of the Chief during a change-of-command ceremony at the base Chapel.

July 9, USS Chief departed homeport to participate in a Mine Exercise-Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise (MINEX-EODEX) 22-2JA, with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF); Arrived in Mutsu Bay on July 17; Moored outboard the USS Patriot at Ominato Naval Base from July 22-24.

July 28, The Chief moored at Berth 9, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo; Underway again from Aug. 7-?; Moved to Berth 1, India Basin for "safe haven" from Typhoon Hinamnor on Sept. 6; Underway again on Oct. 3.

October 7, USS Chief moored at Berth 13S in Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a week-long port call; Moored outboard the USS Pioneer at Berth 2, India Basin on Oct. 21; Underway for mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 3JA on Nov. 16; Moored at Berth 8 on Nov. 22.

January 18, 2023 USS Chief moored at Berth 7, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo after a one-day underway off the coast of Kyushu; Underway again on Feb. 27; Moored at Berth 1, India Basin on March ?; Underway again on March 1?; Moored at Berth 10, India Basin on March 18; Underway again on March 26.?

April 13, The Chief moored at Navy Pier on White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a four-day port visit to participate in White Beach Festival 2023; Held an "Open House" on April 15 and 16th; Moored at Berth 1, India Basin on April 19; Moved to Berth 10 on May 19.

June 11, USS Chief moored at Berth 9, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo after an 11-day underway for routine training off the coast of Kyushu and Okinawa; Brief underway on July 19; Moved to Berth 8 on Aug. 4.

August 28, Lt. Cmdr. Michael J. Pires relieved Lt. Cmdr. C. Randy Hayes as CO of the MCM 14 during a change-of-command ceremony at the base Chapel.

September 29, The Chief departed homeport for routine operations following a Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV); Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for a brief stop on Sept. 30; Moored at Berth 8, India Basin on Oct. 2; Underway again on Oct. 7; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for a brief stop on Oct. 10.

October 11, USS Chief made a brief stop off the north coast of Geoje Island, Republic of Korea; Moored outboard the USS Warrior (MCM 10), at Berth 3 in Busan Naval Base, in support of Multinational Mine Countermeasures Exercise and Symposium 2023, from Oct. 13-19; Moored at Pier 11 in Chinhae Naval Base, ROK, from Oct. 22-23.

October 27, USS Chief moored at Berth 6, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo; Moved to Berth 2, Akasaki Pier to refuel on Jan. 4; Moved to Berth 3, India Basin on Jan. 5; Underway for routine training, off the northwest coast of Kyushu, from Jan. 12-16.

January 22, 2024 USS Chief moored at Berth 8, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo after a four-day underway off the southwest coast of Kyushu; Moved to Berth 1, India Basin on Jan. 29; Underway again on March 17.

March 19, USS Chief moored outboard the USS Pioneer (MCM 9) at Mokpo Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a four-day visit; Anchored at A-13, approx. 8 n.m. west of Mokpo, from March 25-27; Moored at Berth 3, Busan Naval Base from March 29- April 1; Conducted operations off the coast of Pohang on April 2.

April 3, The Chief moored outboard the USS Pioneer at Berth 5 in Busan Naval Base for a two-day port call; Conducted operations off the coast of Pohang from April 6-7; Moored at Berth 4 in Busan Naval Base from April 8-12; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on April 16; Moored at Berth 1, India Basin on April 17.

August 28, Lt. Cmdr. Sean J. Barner relieved Lt. Cmdr. Michael J. Pires as CO of the Chief during a change-of-command ceremony at the base Chapel.