USS Jarrett (FFG-33)

USS "Jarrett" (FFG-33), twenty-fifth ship of the "Oliver Hazard Perry"-class guided-missile frigates, was named for Vice Admiral Harry B. Jarrett (1898–1974).

Ordered from Todd Pacific Shipyards, San Pedro, California on 23 January 1978 as part of the FY78 program, "Jarrett" was laid down on 11 February 1981, launched on 17 October 1981, and commissioned on 2 July 1983.

Operation Desert Storm

During Desert Storm in 1991, "Jarrett" was involved in a friendly fire incident with the Sclass|Iowa|battleship USS|Missouri|BB-63|2. Allegedly, "Jarrett"’s Phalanx engaged the chaff fired by "Missouri" as a countermeasure against two incoming Iraqi Silkworm missiles (also known as a Seersucker). Some stray Phalanx rounds struck "Missouri", one of which penetrated a bulkhead and embedded in an interior passageway of the ship. Another round struck the ship on the forward funnel passing completely through it. One sailor aboard "Missouri" was struck in the neck by some flying shrapnel and suffered minor injuries. Some are skeptical of this account, however, as "Jarrett" was reportedly over two miles away at the time and the characteristics of chaff are such that a Phalanx normally would not regard it as a threat and engage it. There is no dispute that the rounds that struck "Missouri" were fired by the "Jarrett" and that it was an accident. It is possible that a Phalanx operator on "Jarrett" may have accidentally fired some rounds manually. However, no evidence to support this theory has ever been discovered. [ [http://www.factplace.com/mightymo.htm#Gulf USS Missouri Frequently Asked Questions ] ]

One of the Iraqi Silkworm missiles crashed into the sea without being intercepted. The other - heading towards USS "Missouri" - was successfully intercepted by a British Sea Dart missile fired by HMS|Gloucester|D96|6.

Current Status

As of June 2004 the "Jarrett" remains active, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21 and is homeported at San Diego, California.

"Jarrett" (FFG-33) is the first ship of that name in the US Navy. She was also the first US Navy warship to be commanded by a woman, Commander Kathleen A. McGrath, from 18 December 1998 until 4 September 2000. [http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=8392] [http://www.jarrett.navy.mil/coc/cos.shtml] [http://arlingtoncemetery.net/kmcgrath.htm]

References

External links

* [http://www.jarrett.navy.mil/ USS Jarrett FFG-33 official webpage]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/jarrett_ffg33_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS Jarrett FFG-33 pages]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FFG33.htm NVR FFG-33]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/ffg-33.htm GlobalSecurity.org FFG-33]