USS Vandegrift (FFG-48)

USS "Vandegrift" (FFG-48) is an Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate of the United States Navy. The ship was named for General Alexander A. Vandegrift (1887–1973), 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

"Vandegrift" was built at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington, launched on 15 October 1982, and commissioned on 24 November 1984.

The ship's inaugural cruise began on 5 January 1987. During the course of this around-the-world cruise, she sailed three oceans, seven seas and visited four continents. The plank owners also crossed the International Date Line, Equator, Greenwich Meridian, and sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Suez and Panama Canals. "Vandegrift" conducted operations with USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6 in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. These operations were highlighted by an air and sea power demonstration for President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan. Port visits included Pearl Harbor; Subic Bay in the Republic of the Philippines; Karachi, Pakistan; Mombasa, Kenya; Maxime, France; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and St. Croix and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. "Vandegrift" returned home to Long Beach in June, 1987.

The ship's second deployment began in June, 1988, returning her to operations in the Persian Gulf shortly after the cease-fire between Iran and Iraq. "Vandegrift"'s mission while on patrol in the northern Persian Gulf focused on providing protection and logistic support for joint forces in the area. "Vandegrift" also participated in numerous Earnest Will missions, escorting U.S. and reflagged Kuwaiti tankers. Port visits included Pearl Harbor; Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines; Bahrain; Pattaya Beach, Thailand and Hong Kong. "Vandegrift" returned home in December, 1988.

The ship's third deployment to the Persian Gulf began in March, 1990. "Vandegrift" patrolled the Northern Persian Gulf and conducted Earnest Will escort missions. As the senior ship on station in the Persian Gulf during the invasion of Kuwait, "Vandegrift" served as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander and Electronic Warfare Coordinator. "Vandegrift" participated in Operation Desert Shield's Maritime Interception Operations with units from United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and France. Ports of call included Pearl Harbor; Subic Bay; Phuket, Thailand; Singapore and Hong Kong.

"Vandegrift" returned home after an extended deployment in October, 1990. On 22 April 1992, "Vandegrift" began her fourth deployment to the Persian Gulf. "Vandegrift" participated in exercises with India, Qatar and Pakistan,helping to strengthen U.S. relations in that area. Ports of call included Doha, Qatar; Dubai, Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Karachi, Pakistan; Phuket, Thailand; Goa, India; Bahrain; Hong Kong; Singapore and Guam, and earned the Chief of Naval Operations LAMPS Helicopter Safety Award. "Vandegrift" returned home on 22 October 1992.

"Vandegrift" changed homeport to San Diego in February, 1993, and earned the COMNAVSURFPAC Food Service Award in March, 1994. The fifth deployment to the Persian Gulf began on 25 October 1994. "Vandegrift"'s mission was the enforcement of U.N. sanctions against Iraq in the Northern Persian Gulf. The most memorable event was conducting a non-permissive boarding of a sanctions violator on Christmas Day. During the return transit, "Vandegrift" played host to a major diplomatic reception in Muscat, Oman, to better diplomatic relations. Ports of call included Sasebo, Japan; Manila, Republic of the Philippines; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Bahrain; Singapore and Hong Kong. "Vandegrift" returned home on 25 April 1995.

On 19 November 2003, the frigate became the first US warship to enter Vietnamese waters in 30 years, when she made a four-day port call at Ho Chi Minh City.

The ship's decorations include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal, and five Sea Service Ribbons.

As of 2006, "Vandegrift" is based in San Diego, California.

External links

* [http://www.vandegrift.navy.mil/ USS "Vandegrift" homepage]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0748.htm navsource.org: USS "Vandegrift"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG48.HTM navysite.de: USS "Vandegrift"]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/vandegrift_ffg48_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS Vandegrift FFG-48 pages]