USS Ford (FFG-54)

USS Ford (FFG-54) was a Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in service with the United States Navy from 1985 to 2013. She was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean near Guam in 2019.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Ford.

History
Name: Ford
Namesake: Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford
Awarded: 22 May 1981
Builder: Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California
Laid down: 11 July 1983
Launched: 23 June 1984
Sponsored by: Jonda McFarlane
Commissioned: 29 June 1985
Decommissioned: 31 October 2013
Homeport: Naval Station Everett, Washington
Identification:
Motto: Tenacious
Fate: Sunk as Target, 1 October 2019
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate
Displacement: 4,100 long tons (4,200 t), full load
Length: 453 feet (138 m), overall
Beam: 45 feet (14 m)
Draft: 22 feet (6.7 m)
Propulsion:
Speed: over 29 knots (54 km/h)
Range: 5,000 nautical miles at 18 knots (9,300 km at 33 km/h)
Complement: 15 officers and 190 enlisted, plus SH-60 LAMPS detachment of roughly six officer pilots and 15 enlisted maintainers
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
& decoys:		 AN/SLQ-32
Armament:
Aircraft carried: 2 × SH-60B LAMPS Mk III helicopters
Aviation facilities:

Built in Los Angeles, California

Ford named for Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford (1942–1968). Ford was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism as a patrol river boatman in the Vietnam War.[1] A description of Gunner's Mate Ford's actions can be found here.[2] She was laid down by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California on 11 July 1983. She was launched on 23 June 1984; sponsored by Jonda McFarlane, wife of National Security Advisor Robert C. McFarlane; and commissioned 29 June 1985, captained by Commander J. F. Eckler. Ford was decommissioned 31 October 2013.[3]

Service history

Ford deployed on 28 November 1985, stopping first in San Diego to pick up Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) HSL 45 Detachment ONE, the embarking SH-60F Sea Hawk Detachment.[4] After a five-hour stop Ford was underway to rendezvous with the Nimitz Battle Group under the command of Rear Admiral Lyle Bien, Commander, Carrier Group 7. The battle group then transited the Pacific Ocean from 2–20 December en route for Hong Kong. Ford participated in two ASW exercises with a US Los Angeles-class submarine and a new state-of-the-art Diesel submarine of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Ford remained part of the Carrier Group 7 battlegroup during the events of the Third Taiwan Straits Crisis.

The guided missile frigate completed her first deployment during a voyage to the Western Pacific and Middle East Force (17 August 1987–17 February 1988). She took part in Operation Earnest Will, an operation to maintain freedom of navigation within the Persian Gulf, that included renaming and reflagging 11 Kuwaiti tankers.[1]

During a deployment to the Western Pacific, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean (13 November 1990 – 13 May 1991), Ford fought in Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm (28 January–18 March 1991). She alternated plane guard and "shotgun" duties for aircraft carriers Midway, Ranger, and Theodore Roosevelt during 34 continuous days of flight operations, and interdicted more than 90 merchant ships suspected of smuggling.[1]

From 13 December 1995 to 3 May 1996 Ford was assigned to the Nimitz Battle Group. Along with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, Ford deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. In March 1996, it patrolled the waters off Taiwan amid missile tests conducted by the Chinese in the area. It also cruised the Persian Gulf in support of Southern Watch prior to returning from deployment on 20 May 1996.

On 16 February 2007, Ford was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.[5]

Ford completed a Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) deployment starting 4 May 2007 and returning home on 20 September 2007. Ford made port visits to Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Saipan, and Guam.

Inactivated on 19 August 2013, Ford was decommissioned 31 October 2013.[1] As of September 2016, the ship was in reserve at Bremerton and was slated to be disposed of as a target.[6] 01 October 2019 it was used as a target during a SINKEX near Guam. A MK-48 ADCAP torpedo was used to sink the Ford.

Awards


References
  1. Evans, Mark L. (8 July 2015). "Ford (FFG-54)". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  2. History Provided By Ralph J. Fries, River Section 535 (9/67 – 6/68)
  3. USS Ford Completes Final Underway
  4. USS Ford Command History 1995
  5. Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E"
  6. "Inactive ship inventory" (PDF). NAVSEA, US Navy. 27 September 2016.

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

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