Name Ford Laid down 11 July 1983 Commissioned 29 June 1985 Launched 23 June 1984 Draft 6.71 m | Awarded 22 May 1981 Sponsored by Jonda McFarlane Construction started 11 July 1983 Length 138 m Beam 14 m | |
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Namesake Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford Builders Vigor Shipyards, Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division | ||
USS Ford (FFG-54), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy 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. A description of Gunner's Mate Ford's actions can be found here.
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Built in Los Angeles, California
Ford 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.
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. 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.
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.
On 16 February 2007, Ford was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.
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. As of September 2016, the ship was in reserve at Bremerton and was slated to be disposed of as a target.