Last US frigate deployed

USS Kauffman on six-month deployment.

Last deployment: All Navy frigates soon to be decommissioned

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The USS Kauffman is about to become the last of its breed.

When the ship leaves Naval Station Norfolk on Thursday for a six month deployment to the waters off Central America, it will mark the final deployment of a Navy frigate. The Kauffman will be part of a multinational, counter-narcotics operation known as Operation Martillo.

When the warship returns, it will be the last frigate in the Navy’s inventory to be decommissioned later this fall. The Navy built 51 of the ships, with the first going into service in 1977. Several frigates — vessels smaller than a destroyer, used chiefly for escort duty — were recently decommissioned and designated for sale to foreign militaries.

“A lot of sailors have served on this platform, so it’s very (humbling) to be the last sitting CO of the last frigate that’s going to be in commission. The crew’s very proud,” said Cmdr. Michael Concannon, the Kauffman’s commanding officer.

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Source: dailymail.co.uk