Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
USS "Simpson" (FFG-56) is an guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Rodger W. Simpson.
History.
"Simpson" was laid down at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, on 27 February 1984, launched on 31 August 1984 sponsored by Mrs. Grace Fowles-Simpson widow of Rodger W. Simpson and commissioned on 21 September 1985 in Newport, Rhode Island. The ship was delivered 13 September 1985. Bath Iron Works plans called for delivery to occur 9 August 1985, but that date slipped due to an extended strike at BIW that began 30 June 1985. "Simpson" was homeported at Naval Station Newport until switching to Naval Station Norfolk on 31 March 1994. "Simpson" moved to Naval Station Mayport in July 2001.
1980s.
On 28 January 1986, the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launched Space Shuttle mission STS-51L utilizing the orbiter vehicle "Challenger" at 1138 EST. Escaping propellant combustion products cut into the craft's solid rocket booster, however, and 73 seconds after launch a massive explosion destroyed "Challenger", killing all seven astronauts on board. "Simpson" took part in the ensuing search and rescue effort, and subsequently received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation with Operational "O" for her participation.
Beginning January 1988, "Simpson"'s first overseas deployment was to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will, to escort reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War. On 18 April 1988, "Simpson" took part in Operation Praying Mantis, the U.S. response to the mining of the frigate , which had hit an Iranian M-08 mine on 14 April 1988.
On 18 April, "Simpson", along with and , destroyed Iranian naval and intelligence facilities on the oil platform Sirri in the Persian Gulf. Later that day, the ships encountered the Iranian "Kaman"-class (La Combattante II type) missile patrol boat "Joshan", which launched a Harpoon missile at the US vessels. "Simpson" immediately returned missile fire, striking "Joshan" in her superstructure. "Joshan" was then sunk by combined gunfire. "Simpson" was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Combat Action Ribbon for this operation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the deployment.
1990s.
20 February 1990, "Simpson" rescued 22 crew members from , a reflagged Kuwaiti tanker carrying $9 million in naphtha and gas oil. "Surf City" was transiting near the Iranian island of Abu Musa when it exploded, killing two and forcing the crew to abandon ship. According to Central Command, "Simpson" was not escorting the tanker, but was monitoring its progress from away and responded immediately to rescue the crew. The fire was so intense that US ships could not approach it and "Surf City" burned for two weeks. At the time, the fire was feared to be the result of an attack or a mine, but the NTSB later determined it to be an accident.
In March 1992, during "Simpson"'s third deployment, "Simpson" and escorted and two supply ships into the Persian Gulf. At the time, Iraq was refusing to comply with UN weapons inspection and the ships departed the Persian Gulf in early April after inspections resumed.
In August 1993 on "Simpson"'s fourth deployment she was again assigned to escort Carrier Group Six with "America". During the deployment "Simpson" participated in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise in the Adriatic Sea and supported Operation Continue Hope off Somalia. "Simpson" returned to homeport in February 1994.
In May 1994, "Simpson" was one of the ships enforcing United Nations sanctions on Haiti.
1995.
"Simpson" deployed to the Caribbean Sea for counter drug operations in late 1994 and again in February 1995.
In November 1995, "Simpson" deployed to the Mediterranean joining the United States Sixth Fleet NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic. "Simpson" operated in the Adriatic Sea enforcing UN arms embargo against Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and participating in Operation Sharp Guard. "Simpson" returned to Norfolk 8 May 1996.
2000s.
Capt. Gerald F. DeConto, "Simpson"'s commanding officer from September 1998 to April 2000, was killed at the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
In July 2002, "Simpson" responded to Malpelo Island to medevac a wounded Colombian Marine who had received three gunshot wounds.
"Simpson" deployed with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 44, Det. 10 as part of NATO's Standing Naval Forces Atlantic on 22 September 2004 returning 20 December 2004. "Simpson" visited New York City 12 October 2004 during this deployment. "Simpson"'s Mk 13 missile launcher was removed sometime in 2005 prior to her next deployment.
On 3 January 2006, "Simpson" deployed with HSL-42, Det. 9, joining Standing NRF Maritime Group 1 and participated in a number of international naval exercises in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Sea returning to Mayport 24 June 2006.
On 5 October 2007, "Simpson" deployed with HSL-46, Det. 7 and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 405, to the eastern Pacific for counter narcotics operations returning April 2008. During the deployment "Simpson" captured 16 metric tons of cocaine. On 29 November 2007, "Simpson" interdicted a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) capable of carrying 5–8 metric tons of cocaine. The sub was sunk by its crew, but the crew was captured and turned over to Colombia.
2010s.
On 17 January 2012, "Simpson" deployed to the Sixth Fleet Area of Responsibility, participating in Africa Partnership Station 2012, and Operation Active Endeavor. Ports of call included Funchal, Rota, Casablanca, Dakar, Lagos, Accra, Mindelo, Souda Bay, Sicily, Naples and Praia. She returned to Naval Station Mayport on 17 July 2012.
On 18 September 2013, "Simpson" deployed once more to the United States Sixth Fleet Area of Responsibility. Ports of call included Ponta Delgada, Sicily, Bari, Athens, Valletta, Souda Bay and Casablanca. She returned to Naval Station Mayport on 20 March 2014.
"Simpson"'s final homeport was Naval Station Mayport, Florida, with assignment to Destroyer Squadron 14. "Simpson" was part of the Active Naval Reserve Force, Category A from 2002 until her decommissioning in September 2015. She was the final "Oliver Hazard Perry"-class frigate in service in the United States Navy. The ship is set to be put up for foreign military sale.
When "Simpson" was decommissioned, it meant the last United States ship still in active service to have sunk an enemy vessel was the 217-year-old USS "Constitution".
References.
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 This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.
 "This article incorporates text from the public domain "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships". The entry can be found here."
External links.
 Media related to at Wikimedia Commons