The Champion (MCM 4) is the 4th Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship and the fourth United States ship to bear that name. The keel was laid down by Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wisconsin, on June 28, 1984. She was christened and laucned on April 15, 1989; and commissioned, without a ceremony, on February 2, 1991. Lt. Cmdr. Stanley V. DeGeus is the first commanding officer.

April 25, 1991 USS Champion arrived in Buffalo, N.Y., for a three-day port visit. Inport Quebec, Canada, from May 1-4; Port call to Halifax, N.S., Canada, from May 7-10.

May 12, The Champion arrived in New York City, N.Y., for a five-day port visit. Inport Naval Air Station Annex, Bermuda, from May 20-26; Port call to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, from May 29-31; Port visit to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, from May 31- June 5.

June 10, The mine countermeasures ship moored at Naval Station Rodman in Balboa, Panama, for a two-day port call to refuel after transiting Panama Canal. Inport Puerto Qetzal, Guatemala, from June 15-17; Port visit to Manzanilo, Mexico, from June 20-23.

June 28, USS Champion arrived in its homeport of Naval Station San Diego, Calif., after a 66-day, 8,300 n.m., transit from Marinette, Wis.

July 27, USS Champion held a commissioning ceremony at Quaywall North Pier 7, Naval Station San Diego.

October 21, MCM 4 commenced a two-week Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV) with USS Cape Cod (AD 42).

November 12, The Champion departed homeport for Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in Puget Sound. Brief stop to refuel at NAS Alameda, Calif., on Nov. 14; Anchored in Yukon Harbor on Nov. 17.

November 18, USS Champion moored at Pier 10 in Seattle, Wash., for a two-day port visit. Inport Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Tacoma, Wash., on Nov. 21; Returned to San Diego on Dec. 11.

From January 7-27, 1992, the Chamioin was moored at the Magnetic Silencing Facility on Naval Submarine Base Point Loma in San Diego.

May 18, MCM 4 commenced a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) at the Campbell Industries shipyard in San Diego.

September 18, Lt. Cmdr. Todd W. Malloy relieved Lt. Cmdr. Stanley V. DeGeus as CO of the Champion.

From January 14-16, 1993, the mine countermeasures ship was underway for sea trials after a three-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Ammo onload from Jan. 19-20.

January 22, USS Champion departed San Diego for a Mine Readiness Certification Inspection (MRCI) Preps in Puget Sound, Wash.

January 24, MCM 4 moored at Pier 45 in San Francisco, Calif., for a brief port call to refuel. Port visit to Seattle from Jan. 29- Feb. 1; Brief stop at Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Wash., on Feb. 5; Inport Seattle from Feb. 10-16, 19-24 and Feb. 25- March 2; Inport Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for emergent repairs from March 5-16; Returned to Pier 90 in Seattle, Wash., on March 17; Underway for MCM training from March 18-20, 24, 25-26, 30 and April 6-10.

April 12, The Champion moored at Bravo Pier in Esquimalt, B.C., Canada, for a brief port call before participating in exercise MARCOT 1-93. Inport Victoria, B.C., from April 16-19; Returned to San Diego on April 26 after a three-month underway period.

From May 17 through June 3, USS Champion was moored at Magnetic Silencing Facility for degaussing and stray fields testing. Underway for MCM operations from June 11-14; Underway for a homeport change on July 27; Brief stop in Mazatlan, Mexico, to refuel on July 31.

August 3, MCM 4 moored at comercial pier in Acapulco, Mexico, for a three-day port visit. Brief stop in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, to refuel on Aug. 9.

August 14, The Champion arrived in Naval Station Rodman, Panama, for a four-day port call before participating in exercise UNITAS 34-93; Inport Rodman again from Aug. 20-22; Transited Panama Canal on Aug. 24; Inport Cozumel, Mexico, from Aug. 29-31.

September 4, USS Champion arrived in its new homeport of Naval Station Ingleside, Texas, after a 39-day transit from San Diego, Calif.

From Nov. 29- Dec. 2, the mine countermeasures ship was underway for routine training in the Corpus Christi Op. Area.

January 10, 1994 USS Champion entered the Peterson Builders Inc. shipyard in Ingleside for a three-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA). Returned to Naval Station Ingleside on March 27; Underway for sea trials on April 28; Underway again on May 9; Brief stop in Key West, Fla., to refuel on May 13;

May 16, The Champion arrived in Naval Station Charleston, S.C., to offload magnetic material. Moved to Pier Yankee Degaussing Cradle on May 17; Underway for numerous degaussing runs at Charleston Magnetic Silencing Facility Cooper River range through May 27; Departed Charleston after onload on May 31; Port visit to Key West from June 2-6; Returned home on June 10; Underway for local operations on June 21.

June 24, Lt. Cmdr. Mark R. Rios relieved Lt. Cmdr. Todd W. Malloy as the 3rd CO of MCM 4.

From July 11-14, the Champion was underway for Mine Warfare training in the Corpus Christi OPAREA. Underway for Limited Team Training (LTT) from July 18-22; Underway in support of JTFEX 95-1 from Sept. 9-13; Underway for Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) Preps. from Nov. 8-10, Dec. 6-8 and 14-15th.

July 21, 1995 Lt. Cmdr. Shaun Gullilland relieved Lt. Cmdr. Glenn M. Irvine as CO of the USS Champion (Charlie Crew).

January 15, 1996 USS Champion departed Ingleside for a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) IV in the Corpus Christi Op. Area. Inport Panama City, Fla., from Feb. 1-2 and 10-19th; Underway for MRCI from Feb. 19-23; Inport Panama City again to refuel from Feb. 23-24; Returned home on Feb. 27.

March 8, Lt. Cmdr. John M. Chandler assumed command of the MCM 4 during a crew swap ceremony with the USS Warrior (MCM 10) at Naval Station Ingleside.

March 29, Lt. Cmdr. Lewis C. Nygard relieved Lt. Cmdr. John M. Chandler as commanding officer of the Champion.

From April 9-11, the mine countermeasures ship was underway in support of Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course (SOSMRC). Port visit to Corpus Christi, Texas, from April 12-14.

April 22, USS Champion entered the Southwest Marine shipyard for a three-month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA).

On July 1, the Champion was transited to Naval Reserve Force (NRF). Underway for sea trials on July 13; Underway for routine training from July 23-26; Underway for local operations from Aug. 3-4;

From August 8-20, MCM 4 was underway for Naval Reserve Training (NRT). Inport Panama City from Aug. 12-13 and 15-17th; Underway for mine warfare training from Sept. 11-12; Underway for NRT from Sept. 14-15; Underway for TSTA I from Oct. 17-18, 21-22, 24-25 and Oct. 30- Nov. 1; Underway for INSURV Underway Material Inspection (UMI) rehearsal on Nov. 6; Underway for INSURV assessment from Nov. 13-14; Underway for navigation certification and a port visit to Brownsville, Texas, from Dec. 5-9; Underway for TSTA I from Dec. 10-13; Underway for routine training from Jan. 15-16, 1997; Underway for Engineering Certification (ECERT) on Feb. 6; Underway for TSTA II Feb. 11-13; Underway for TSTA IV from March 3-7; Underway for Selective Reservist (SELRES) training from March 8-9; Underway for TSTA IV from March 11-13, 17-18 and 20-21st.

From March 24-28, USS Champion was underway for Mine Readiness Certification Inspection (MRCI) in the Corpus Christi Op. Area. Underway for TSTA from April 7-11, 14-18 and April 28- May 2; Underway for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) from May 6-8; Underway for GOMEX 97-2 from May 19-30; Underway for a port visit to Lake Charles, La., from July 1-9.

July 25, The Champion departed Naval Station Ingleside in support of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) BG's Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 97-3. Inport Key West, Fla., to refuel from July 29- Aug. 1; Inport Charleston, S.C., for degaussing runs from Aug. 1-10.

August 13, USS Champion arrived in Wilmington, N.C., for a four-day port visit.

September 8, The mine countermeasures ship moored at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., for a two-day port call.

September 11, MCM 4 moored at Farragut Field in Annapolis, Md., for a four-day visit to U.S. Naval Academy. Port call to Nassau, Bahamas, from Sept. 19-23; Inport USCG Station Key West from Sept. 25-29; Returned home on Oct. 1.

November 3, The Champion entered the Gulf Copper Marine dry-dock at Aransas Pass, Texas, for a five-month Drydocking Planned Maintenance Availability (DPMA).

February 9, 1998 USS Champion, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. John G. Walker, moved from dry-dock to Southwest Marine shipyard in Ingleside. Underway for sea trials on April 1; Underway for mine warfate LTT from April 6-8; Underway for Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) II from April 16-17; Underway for TSTA I on May 13, May 29, June 1-5 and 8-12th; Underway for TSTA II from June 15-19 and 25-26th; Underway for minelaying operations in support of GOMEX 98-3 from July 6-7; Underway for TSTA IV from July 9-10, 13-14 and 24-25th; Underway for ECERT from Aug. 4-5; Underway for NRT from Aug. 8-9; Underway for TSTA IV from Aug. 10-11; Underway for TSTA I from Aug. 18-21; Underway for TSTA II from Aug. 24-26; Underway for TSTA III from Sept. 22-25; Underway for FEP from Sept. 28-30.

From October 1-5, the Champion was underway for mine recovery in conjunction with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) BG's FLEETEX. Underway for Dependent's Cruise on Oct. 28; Underway for MCM operations from Oct. 29-30; Underway for RONEX 99-1 from Nov. 10-13; Underway for Naval Reserve Training (NRT) from Dec. 12-13.

February 24, 1999 USS Champion departed homeport for its maiden Mediterranean deployment. Brief stop in Port Everglades, Fla., to refuel on March 1.

March 19, MCM 4 arrived in Funchal, Portugal, for a brief stop at Madeira Island to refuel. Inport Naval Station Rota, Spain, from March 23-30.

March 31, The mine countermeasures ship pulled into Malaga, Spain, for a five-day port visit.

April 8, USS Champion arrived in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a five-day port call before participating in NATO exercise Olives Vertes. Brief stop in Toulon, France, to refuel on April 19; Inport Toulon naval base again from April 21-28.

April 30, The Champion moored at La Spezia naval base for a four-day port visit to Italy. Inport La Condamine Port, Monaco, from May 6-8.

May 12, USS Champion moored outboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in La Maddalena, Italy, for a week-long Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV). Inport La Spezia again from May 21-28; Brief stop in Palma de Mallorca from May 31- June 1; Participated in NATO exercise Alcudra from June 2-10; Inport Puerto de Castellon, Spain, to refuel from June 5-6; Port visit to Palma from June 10-14.

June 16, MCM 4 arrived in Malaga for a six-day port visit. Inport Naval Station Rota from June 24-28; Port call to Funchal, Portugal, from July 1-6.

July 28, USS Champion returned to Naval Station Ingleside after a five-month deployment.

September 22, The Champion departed Ingleside, Texas, for Bow Thruster testing at acoustic range off Port Everglades, Fla. Inport Port Everglades from Sept. 26-29 and Sept. 30- Oct. 1; Port visit to Key West, Fla., from Oct. 4-8; Returned home on Oct. 12.

October 18, USS Champion entered the Southwest Marine shipyard for a two-month Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Restricted Availability.

November 4, Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth L. Williams, Jr., relieved Lt. Cmdr. John G. Walker as the 9th CO of MCM 4 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ex-USS Lexington (CV 16) in Corpus Christi, Texas.

January 14, 2000 The Champion returned to Naval Station Ingleside, Texas. Underway for sea trials on Jan. 25; Underway for NRT on Feb. 5; Underway for MCM training on Feb. 28; Inport Coastal Systems Station (CSS) in Panama City from March 3-6, 11-13 and 16-20th; Returned home on March 24; Underway for CART II from April 19-20; Underway for mine laying operations in support of RONEX 00-2 on May 8; Inport Pascagoula, Miss., from May 12-14; Inport Panama City from May 17-18, 19-20 and 22-23rd; Returned home on May 26; Underway for TSTA I from May 31- June 1 and June 8.

From June 21-22, USS Champion was underway for MCM operations in the Corpus Christi Op. Area. Underway for routine training on June 26 and 27th; Underway in support of MIREM 13 from July 11-13; Underway for GOMEX 00-2 from July 16-21; Underway for routine training from Sept. 7-8.

September 12, MCM 4 departed Ingleside for a three-month East Coast deployment, as part of the Mine Warfare Readiness Group (MIWRG) 2.

September 14, USS Champion arrived in Beaumont, Texas, for a five-day port visit. Inport Beaumont again from Sept. 21-23 to avoid the bad weather; Port call to Key West, Fla., from Sept. 29- Oct. 3; Inport Naval Station Mayport, Fla., from Oct. 5-12; Participated in Unified Spirit 2000 and JTFEX 00-1 from Oct. 12-22; Brief stops in Morehead City, N.C., to refuel on Oct. 17 and 20th;

October 25, The mine countermeasures ship arrived in Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for a 12-day upkeep. Underway for MCM operations from Nov. 6-10; Inport Norfolk again from Nov. 10-14; Port visit to Annapolis, Md., from Nov. 15-20.

November 21, The Champion arrived in New York City, N.Y., for a three-day port visit. Inport NAB Little Creek from Nov. 25-28 for weather avoidance; Brief stop at Mayport, Fla., to refuel from Nov. 30- Dec. 1; Brief stop in Key West on Dec. 4; Inport Panama City from Dec. 7-11; Returned to homeport on Dec. 15.

From January 9-10, 2001, USS Champion was underway for mine laying operations in support of RONEX 01-1. Underway for MCM operations from Feb. 12-14; Underway for local operations on Feb. 28.

April 12, MCM 4 entered the Southwest Marine shipyard for a four-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA). Returned to homeport on July 24.

August 7, Lt. Cmdr. Philip H. Ross relieved Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth L. Williams, Jr., as CO of the Champion.

October 5, USS Champion, along with USS Heron (MHC 52), departed Naval Station Ingleside for MCM operations in the Panama City Op. Area. Inport Naval Station Pascagoula, Miss., from Oct. 8-15, 18-29 and Oct . 31- Nov. 5; Inport NAS Pensacola, Fla., from Nov. 9-12; Returned home on Nov. 17.

From July 15-26, 2002, the Champion participated in Gulf of Mexico Exercise (GOMEX) 02-2 in the Corpus Christi OPAREA. 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 (EOD) mine countermeasures operations.

December 4, The Champion, currently deployed to the eastern Pacific, recently visited port of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. MCM 4 departed Oct. 17 for a six-month deployment to the eastern Pacific.

May 2, 2003 Lt. Cmdr. Warren R. Buller, II relieved Lt. Cmdr. Philip H. Roos as the 11th CO of Champion.

August 15, 2004 Lt. Cmdr. Michael B. Riley relieved Lt. Cmdr. Warren R. Buller, II as commanding officer of the Champion.

May 22, 2009 USS Champion arrived at its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego, Calif., in accordance with the Defense Base Relocation and Closure Commission. The mine countermeasures ship participated on Thursday in Navy search efforts, off the coast of southern California and Mexico, for the HH-60 Seahawk helicopter that went down on May 19.

July 25, 2011 USS Champion, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Gerald P. Lorio, pulled into Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, Calif., for a six-day visit to participate in L.A. Navy Week.

October 20, USS Champion, along with USS Chief (MCM 14), HMCS Saskatoon (MM 709), HMCS Brandon (MM 710) and HMCS Nanaimo (MM 702), completed a four-day, bilateral mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) off the coast of southern California.

December 12, The mine countermeasures ship departed homeport for local operations; Moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for ammo offload on Dec. 14 in preparation for a Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA).

January 23, 2014 The Champion, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Edison C. Rush, III, returned to Naval Base San Diego after underway for local operations.

July 17, MCM 4 is currently participating in a multinational mine countermeasures exercise, off the coast of southern California, in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014.

February 27, 2015 USS Champion, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Horst D. Sollfrank, moored at Berth 6, Pier 9 on Naval Base San Diego after underway for routine training; Underway again from March 9-?, April 13-17 and April 27-30.

May 21, The Champion departed San Diego for routine training in the SOCAL Op. Area; Inport Astoria, Ore., from June 3-4.

June 4, USS Champion moored at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, Ore., for a four-day port visit in conjunction with the annual Rose Festival; Returned home on June 22.

August 4, The mine countermeasures ship departed Naval Base San Diego for local operations; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on Aug. 11; Moored at Mole Pier North on Aug. 21; Underway again on Sept. 28; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on Oct. 2; Underway for local operations on Oct. 1?; Brief stop at Bravo Pier before return home on Oct. 20.

October 26, USS Champion departed homeport for an 11-day underway, in support of the USS Boxer (LHD 4) ARG's COMPTUEX, off the coast of southern California; Underway for local operations from Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 30- Dec. ?.

March 29, 2016 USS Champion moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop to refuel before underway for routine training; Returned home on April 4; Underway again from April 8-1? and June ?; Inport Astoria, Ore., from June 6-9.

June 9, USS Champion moored at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, Ore., for a four-day port visit to participate in the 109th Rose Festival; Moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) for a brief stop to refuel on June 20.

June 2?, Lt. Cmdr. Joseph C. Burgon relieved Lt. Cmdr. Christopher W. Petro as CO of the Champion during a change-of-command ceremony at Mole Pier.

July 29, The Champion returned to San Diego after a 22-day underway for mine countermeasures exercise, off the coast of southern California, in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016; Underway again on Aug. 29.?

September 10, MCM 4 returned to homeport after participated in San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade; Underway for local operations from Oct. 3-7.

February 27, 2017 USS Champion moored at Mole Pier North on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway for routine training; Underway again from March 13-14.

July ?, Lt. Cmdr. Joshua D. Kristenson relieved Lt. Cmdr. Joseph C. Burgon as commanding officer of the Champion (Dominant Crew).

September 5, The Champion departed Naval Base San Diego for a six-day underway to conduct routine training in the SOCAL Op. Area; Moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) for a brief stop before underway again on Sept. 26; Conducted operations 5 n.m. south of Point Loma from Sept. 26-29; Anchored at A-171 from Sept. 29-30.

From October 1-3, the mine countermeasures ship conducted operations 3 n.m. off the coast of Dana Point and San Clemente State Beach, Calif.

October 6, USS Champion moored at Pier 35 South in San Francisco, Calif., for a four-day port visit to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration; Returned home on Oct. 13.

December 26, BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair was awarded an $11,5 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-14-C-4220) for the USS Champion's Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Work is expected to be completed by August 2018.

September 6, 2018 Lt. Cmdr. Matthew T. Yokeley relieved Lt. Cmdr. Joshua D. Kristenson as CO of MCM 4 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum.

July 18, 2019 USS Champion is currently moored at Berth 2, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway for sea trials from Aug. ?-8.

August 18, 2020 The Champion held a decommissioning ceremony at North Mole Pier on Naval Base San Diego, after a nearly 30 years of active service.

August 25, USS Champion was officially decommissioned and stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register.