USS Thach (FFG-43)

USS "Thach" (FFG-43), an "Oliver Hazard Perry"-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral John Thach (1905–1981), a naval aviator during World War II, who invented the Thach Weave dog fighting tactic.

"Thach" was laid down on 6 March 1981 by the Todd Pacific Shipyards Co., Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, Ca.; launched on 18 December 1982 ; and commissioned on 17 March 1983 .

"Thach" mission is to provide anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine protection for carrier battle groups, naval expeditionary forces, replenishment groups, convoys, and other military and merchant shipping. The new direction for the naval service remains focused on the ability to project power from the sea in the critical littoral regions for the world.

Success in the warfare environment of the 1990s and beyond will require thorough evaluation, rapid decision-making and almost instantaneous response to any postulated threat. The systems aboard "Thach" have been designed to meet these demanding and dynamic prerequisites, and to do so with minimum human interface. The LAMPS MK III video data link system brings state-of-the-art computer technology to the warfare arena, as well as integrating sensors and weapons to provide a total offensive and defensive weapons system.

In addition, computers control and monitor the gas turbine engines (the same engines installed on DC-10 aircraft) and electrical generators. Digital electronic logic circuits and remotely-operated valves are monitored in Central Control Station which initiate engine start and result in a "ready to go" status in less than ten minutes.

The heart of the ship, though, is the crew. High technology systems demand skilled technicians and professional leadership to be effective. The concept of "minimum manning" means, simply, that with professional sailors, "Thach" can meet the challenges of modern naval warfare with approximately half the crew found on other ships comparable size and capability.

In late 2006 the USS THACH caught fire while deployed to the Southern Pacific as she attempted to put out a fire on a drug smuggling ship.

As of 2008, "Thach" is captained by Commander David W. Haas, homeported at San Diego, California; and is part of Destroyer Squadron 7.

External links

* [http://www.thach.navy.mil/ USS "Thach" official website]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0743.htm navsource.org: USS "Thach"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG43.HTM navysite.de: USS "Thach"]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/thach_ffg_43_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS Thach FFG-43 pages]