The US Navy has decommissioned its last Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, USS Ingraham (FFG 61), following 25 years in service.
Ingraham commanding officer commander Daniel Straub said: "During 25 years of service to the nation, Ingraham has answered America’s call.
"Ingraham has always been ready, willing and able to fulfil mission requirements."
Commissioned on 5 August 1989, the frigate was the fourth to be named after captain Duncan Nathaniel Ingraham.
Assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, Ingraham returned from its last mission to the 4th Fleet for Operation Martillo in October, involving the interception of 11,937kg of cocaine worth $560m.
Ingraham crew member Steven Harte said: "Ingraham has been in service for so long and seen so many things. It’s got so much history, it’s huge.
"It’s done a great job [and] it deserves a retirement."
The US Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigates are built by Bath Iron Works in Maine and Todd Shipyards in Seattle and San Pedro, California, US.
These vessels are powered by two GE LM 2500 gas turbine engines that generate 30.59MW (41,000shp) and drive a single shaft with a constant pitch propeller. The additional two auxiliary retractable propellers (484kW / 650hp) assist in manoeuvring and station keeping.
In addition to the AN / SQQ-89 (CV) two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) combat system, the vessels are equipped with Raytheon’s SPS-49(V) five or (V) four air-search radar, two deck-mounted six-barrelled SRBOC Mk36 decoy dispensers and the AN / URN-25 Tacan tactical air navigation transponder, among others.
They can accommodate two Sikorsky SH-60B LAMPS III Seahawk helicopters.
Image: The guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) served the US Navy for 25 years. Photo: courtesy of Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric J. Harrison.
