The report, seen by the Navy Times, outlines the plans by the ship’s senior enlisted crew to purchase, install, manage, and ultimately attempt to hide the network from junior crew and superior officers alike.
The ship’s senior chief, Command Senior Chief Grisel Marrero, conspired with other chiefs aboard the USS Manchester (pictured) to install the network prior to a deployment to the west Pacific in April 2023.
The Starlink dish was secretly installed on the Independence Class vessel’s weather deck, where it was relatively out of view. The network was initially named “Stinky”, but it was later renamed to appear to be a wireless printer – despite there being no such devices aboard.
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As rumours began to circulate among the wider crew, senior officers approached CSC Marrero, who repeatedly lied about its existence.
For obvious reasons, the US Navy limits internet access while on deployment, but the ship’s senior enlisted crew used the network to send messages home, stream media, and keep track of sports scores.
The Starlink dish wasn’t discovered until a civilian technician, installing a Starshield satellite communication system, noted the device and reported it to a senior crew member. The dish was removed; however, CSC Marrero again lied about the device, claiming that it was authorised and only for use in port.
When the USS Manchester’s commanding officer finally learnt of the existence of the network on 24 August, she confronted Marrero, who provided doctored usage logs in an attempt to trick the CO into believing the network was, in fact, only used while docked. The CO continued to be suspicious, however, and Marrero finally admitted on 26 August that the network had been in use while deployed.
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In total, 15 other chiefs were aware of the network.
“This agreement was a criminal conspiracy, supported by the overt act of bringing the purchased Starlink onboard USS Manchester,” the Navy concluded in its investigation. “Any new member of the CPO Mess which then paid into the services joined that conspiracy following the system’s operational status.
“The installation and usage of Starlink, without the approval of higher headquarters, poses a serious risk to mission, operational security, and information security.”
Marrero was court-martialled earlier this year and reduced in rank.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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