Owner US Navy Laid down 25 February 1980 Honours and
awards Jack Williams Length 138 m Beam 14 m | Ordered 28 February 1977 Decommissioned 13 September 1996 Launched 30 August 1980 Draft 6.71 m Builder Bath Iron Works | |
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Name USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) | ||
RBNS Sabha (formerly known as USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) during its career in US) is a frigate now in service with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force. The ownership was transferred to Bahrain as a gift on 13 September 1996. The frigate was ordered by the US Navy on 28 February 1977, and laid down on 25 February 1980. It was officially launched by the US Navy on 30 August 1980. The frigate is now considered as the lead frigate of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.
History
During its career as USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) in the United States, it was the sixteenth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates. It was named for Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Jack Williams, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The frigate was ordered from Bath Iron Works on 28 February 1977 as part of the FY77 Program. Jack Williams was laid down on 25 February 1980; launched on 30 August 1980 and commissioned on 19 September 1981. Decommissioned and stricken on 13 September 1996, she was transferred to Bahrain the same day, and recommissioned as the RBNS Sabha. USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) was the first ship of that name in the US Navy.