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{{Update|inaccurate=y|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} {|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image {{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=] |Ship image=]
|Ship caption=USS ''Curts'' (FFG-38) |Ship caption=USS ''Curts'' (FFG-38)
}} }}
{{Infobox Ship Career {{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= |Hide header=
|Ship country=US |Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag}} |Ship flag={{USN flag|2013}}
|Ship name=USS Curts |Ship name=''Curts''
|Ship namesake= Admiral ] |Ship namesake= ] ]
|Ship owner= |Ship ordered=
|Ship operator=United States Navy |Ship awarded=27 April 1979
⚫ |Ship builder=], ], ]
|Ship registry=FFG-38
|Ship route=
|Ship ordered=27 April 1979
|Ship awarded=
⚫ |Ship builder=], ], ]
|Ship original cost= |Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number= |Ship yard number=
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|Ship commissioned=8 October 1983 |Ship commissioned=8 October 1983
|Ship recommissioned= |Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=25 January 2013 (U.S.) |Ship decommissioned=25 January 2013
|Ship maiden voyage= |Ship maiden voyage=
|Ship in service=1983
|Ship out of service=2013
|Ship renamed= |Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified= |Ship reclassified=
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|Ship reinstated= |Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=] |Ship homeport=]
|Ship identification= |Ship identification=*]:FFG-38
*]:NHOC
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Hotel}}{{ICS|Oscar}}{{ICS|Charlie}}
|Ship motto= |Ship motto=
|Ship nickname= ''.38 Special'' |Ship nickname= ".38 Special"
|Ship honours= |Ship honours=
|Ship honors= |Ship honors=
|Ship captured= |Ship captured=
|Ship fate=May be transferred to the ]<ref> |Ship fate=Sunk as a target, 19 September 2020
</ref>
|Ship notes= |Ship notes=
|Ship badge= ] |Ship badge= ]
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|Header caption= |Header caption=
|Ship class={{Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}} |Ship class={{Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}}
|Ship type=
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement={{OHP frigate displacement}} |Ship displacement={{OHP frigate displacement}}
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{OHP frigate length}} |Ship length={{OHP frigate length}}
|Ship beam={{OHP frigate beam}} |Ship beam={{OHP frigate beam}}
|Ship height= |Ship draft={{OHP frigate draft}}
|Ship draught={{OHP frigate draft}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship power= |Ship power=
|Ship propulsion={{OHP frigate propulsion}} |Ship propulsion={{OHP frigate propulsion}}
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{OHP frigate speed}} |Ship speed={{OHP frigate speed}}
|Ship range={{OHP frigate range}} |Ship range={{OHP frigate range}}
|Ship endurance= |Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement={{OHP frigate complement}} |Ship complement={{OHP frigate complement}}
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate= |Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors={{OHP frigate sensors}} |Ship sensors={{OHP frigate sensors}}
|Ship EW=] |Ship EW=]
|Ship armament={{OHP frigate armament}} |Ship armament={{OHP frigate armament}}
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor= |Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=2 &times; ] helicopters |Ship aircraft=2 × ] helicopters
|Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship aircraft facilities={{OHP frigate aircraft facilities}}
|Ship notes= |Ship notes=
}} }}
|} |}


'''USS ''Curts'' (FFG-38) '''was the twenty-ninth ship of the ] guided-missile ] She was named for Admiral ] (1898&ndash;1976). '''USS ''Curts'' (FFG-38) '''was the twenty-ninth ship of the {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|0}} of guided-missile ]s. She was named for ] ] (1898–1976). ''Curts'' is the first ship of that name in the US Navy.


Ordered from ], ], ] on 27 April 1979 as part of the FY79 program, ''Curts'' was laid down on 1 July 1981, launched on 6 March 1982, and commissioned on 8 October 1983. As of 2007 she was on active service, assigned to ] and homeported at San Diego, CA. Ordered from ], ], ] on 27 April 1979 as part of the FY79 program, ''Curts'' was laid down on 1 July 1981, launched on 6 March 1982, and commissioned on 8 October 1983. She was decommissioned on 25 January 2013.


== Service history ==
⚫ ==1980s==
⚫ Her first years in commission were focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations and ''Curts'' was the first pacific fleet unit with the complete SQQ-89 ASW suite. The ship received the meritorious unit commendation for tactical proficiency in the tracking of Soviet submarines in 1987.


⚫ === 1980s ===
⚫ In 1988, ''Curts'' received the armed forces expeditionary medal for serving with the {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|6}} battle group during ] in the north ] and the gulf of Oman. Additionally, ''Curts'' changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, becoming one of the first two FFG's to join the Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF). ''Curts'' was first to bring the LAMPS MK III helicopters to Naval Air Facility, Atsugi.
⚫ ''Curts''{{'}}s early years in commission were focused on ] (ASW) operations and ''Curts'' was the first Pacific Fleet unit with the complete SQQ-89 ASW suite. The ship received the meritorious unit commendation for tactical proficiency in the tracking of ] submarines in 1987.


⚫ In 1988, ''Curts'' received the armed forces expeditionary medal for serving with the {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|6}} battle group during ] in the north ] and the ]. Additionally, ''Curts'' changed homeport to ], Japan, becoming one of the first two guided-missile frigates to join the Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF). ''Curts'' was first to bring SH-60B ] MK III helicopters to ].
⚫ ==Operation Desert Storm==

⚫ === Operation Desert Storm ===
On 24 January 1991, during ], the ship and her embarked navy and army helicopters captured an Iraqi garrison on ] in the northern ], taking the island and custody of 51 Iraqi prisoners. ''Curts'' destroyed two mines, sank an Iraqi minelayer and provided support to combat helicopter operations during the battle of ]. The ship received the navy unit commendation for her exceptional operational performance. On 24 January 1991, during ], the ship and her embarked navy and army helicopters captured an Iraqi garrison on ] in the northern ], taking the island and custody of 51 Iraqi prisoners. ''Curts'' destroyed two mines, sank an Iraqi minelayer and provided support to combat helicopter operations during the battle of ]. The ship received the navy unit commendation for her exceptional operational performance.


==1990s== === 1990s ===
Upon return from combat operations in June 1991, the ship became an important part of ] rescuing numerous refugees to safety when Mount Pinatubo erupted near Subic Bay, Republic of The Philippines. Upon return from combat operations in June 1991, the ship became an important part of ] rescuing numerous refugees to safety when Mount Pinatubo erupted near Subic Bay, Republic of The Philippines.

In 1993, ''Curts'' was upgraded with the 4100-ton class modification, extending her stern another eight feet and enhancing her combat capabilities. ''Curts'' joined independence battle group to participate with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in joint anti-submarine warfare exercise MAREX and later that year, the ship deployed to the Persian Gulf conducting 89 boardings of merchant vessels in the ] as part of ] sanctions enforcement against Iraq. ''Curts'' material and operational readiness was rewarded with the battle efficiency award for 1994. In 1993, ''Curts'' was upgraded with the 4100-ton class modification, extending her stern another {{convert|8|ft|m}} and enhancing her combat capabilities. . ''Curts'' joined the {{USS|Independence|CV-62|2}} Battle Group in 1993 to participate with the ] in joint anti-submarine warfare exercise MAREX. Later that year, the ship deployed to the Persian Gulf conducting 89 boardings of merchant vessels in the ] as part of ] sanctions enforcement against Iraq. ''Curts'' material and operational readiness was rewarded with the battle efficiency award for 1994.

In 1994, ''Curts'' participated in the RIMPAC 94 exercise and sailed from its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii to participate with International Navies from around the Pacific, including Japan, Korea, Canada and more.


In 1995, ''Curts'' participated in major joint exercises with units of the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and later with the navies of Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand for 1996 cooperation afloat for readiness and training (CARAT 96). In 1995, ''Curts'' participated in major joint exercises with units of the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and later with the navies of Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand for 1996 cooperation afloat for readiness and training (CARAT 96).
⚫ In 1997, after nine years of forward presence as part of seventh fleet, ''Curts'' departed Yokosuka, Japan for a homeport change to San Diego, California and in October 1998 ''Curts'' joined the Naval Reserve Force (NRF).


⚫ In 1997, after nine years of forward presence as part of the seventh fleet, ''Curts'' departed Yokosuka, Japan for a homeport change to ], California and in October 1998 ''Curts'' joined the Naval Reserve Force (NRF).
⚫ In 1998, ''Curts'' deployed to the multi-lateral exercise Teamwork South, where she participated in exercises with navies from the United Kingdom, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Upon completion of Teamwork South, ''Curts'' steamed to Hawaii to participate in multi-lateral exercise RIMPAC 98. ''Curts'' made national headlines when a Salinas Ecuador hotel security guard died from injuries he received during a scuffle with a LTJG (pilot) and Senior Chief Petty Officer assigned to HSL-43 embarked on ''Curts'' for the deployment. Both men were removed from the ship and returned to the U.S. to face a court martial.


⚫ In 1998, ''Curts'' deployed to the multi-lateral exercise Teamwork South, where she participated in exercises with navies from the United Kingdom, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Upon completion of Teamwork South, ''Curts'' steamed to Hawaii to participate in multi-lateral exercise RIMPAC 98. ''Curts'' made national headlines when a ] hotel security guard died from injuries he received during a scuffle with a LTJG (pilot) and Senior Chief Petty Officer assigned to ] embarked on ''Curts'' for the deployment. Both men were removed from the ship and returned to the U.S. to face a court martial.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navy Officer Demoted, Reprimanded |url=https://apnews.com/article/a0ba5b0cdb0987fa91f2bce686082167 |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ In 1999, ''Curts'' deployed to counter-narco-terrorism deployment under the direction of Joint Inter-agency Task Force East (now named Joint Interagency Task Force South). In addition to seizing approximately 5 metric tons of cocaine, ''Curts'' conducted rare bi-lateral counter-narcotics exercises with the Colombian Navy. After departing a short visit to Aruba ''Curts'' responded to a distress call from M/V Olga, north of the Guajira peninsula. ''Curts'' crew were awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for joint rescue efforts that saved the lives of several Olga crew members. The half-way point of this deployment found ''Curts'' celebrating Halloween in Key West, Christmas in St. Thomas and New Years again in Key West, Florida. The timing of this deployment also caused ''Curts'' to be the last U.S. Warship to transit the Panama Canal under U.S. control in 1999 (ex-USS New Jersey was towed through just before ''Curts'' transit) and the first to transit it under Panamanian control in 2000.


⚫ In 1999, ''Curts'' deployed to counter-narco-terrorism deployment under the direction of Joint Inter-agency Task Force East (now named Joint Interagency Task Force South). In addition to seizing approximately 5 metric tons of cocaine, ''Curts'' conducted rare bi-lateral counter-narcotics exercises with the Colombian Navy. After departing a short visit to ] ''Curts'' responded to a distress call from M/V ''Olga'', north of the ]. ''Curts'' crew were awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for joint rescue efforts that saved the lives of several ''Olga'' crew members. The half-way point of this deployment found ''Curts'' celebrating Halloween in ], Christmas in ] and New Years again in Key West, Florida. The timing of this deployment also caused ''Curts'' to be the last U.S. warship to transit the ] under U.S. control in 1999 (ex-{{USS|New Jersey|BB-62|6}} was towed through just before ''Curts'' transit) and the first to transit it under Panamanian control in 2000.
⚫ ==2000s==

⚫ === 2000s ===
During ] cruises in 2001 and 2003, ''Curts'' conducted multilateral exercises with the navies of Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines to continue promoting international training and cooperation. During ] cruises in 2001 and 2003, ''Curts'' conducted multilateral exercises with the navies of Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines to continue promoting international training and cooperation.
⚫ In 2004 ''Curts'' again deployed to southern command on a six-month counter-narcotics deployment with ] ] (LEDET) 105 and received national notoriety for the largest maritime seizure of cocaine (12 tons) in history.<ref>http://www.uscg.mil/history/Chronology_Sep.asp USCG Daily Chronology: 17 September</ref> The ship received the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance during deployment.


⚫ In 2004 ''Curts'' again deployed to southern command on a six-month counter-narcotics deployment with ] ] (LEDET) 105 and received national notoriety for the largest maritime seizure of cocaine (12 tons) in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/Chronology_Sep.asp |title=USCG Daily Chronology: 17 September |publisher=US Coast Guard |access-date=28 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519093611/http://www.uscg.mil/history/Chronology_Sep.asp |archive-date=19 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ship received the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance during deployment.
⚫ ''Curts'' deployed again in 2006 to counter-narco-terrorism deployment. Although less successful than the 2004 deployment, ''Curts'' interdicted three cocaine shipments, totalling in excess of 10 metric tons of cocaine and apprehension and transport of over 50 smugglers.


⚫ ''Curts'' deployed again in 2006 to counter-narco-terrorism deployment. Although less successful than the 2004 deployment, ''Curts'' interdicted three cocaine shipments, totalling in excess of 10 metric tons of cocaine and apprehension and transport of over 50 smugglers.
On 16 February 2007, ''Curts'' was awarded the 2006 ] award.


On 16 February 2007, ''Curts'' was awarded the 2006 ] award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895 |title=Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E" |publisher=US Navy |date=19 February 2007 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206142601/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895 |archive-date=6 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫ In 2007 USS ''Curts'' was transferred from Commander Destroyer Squadron One, to Commander Destroyer Squadron Nine and incorporated into Carrier Strike Group Nine. In March USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' Strike Group (CSG-9) departed for deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations (Persian Gulf). This marked USS ''Curts'' first Strike Group deployment since transfer to the U.S. Naval Reserve. ''Curts'' primarily performed a Critical Infrastructure Protection role by acting as Scene of Action Commander for Oil Platform protection efforts at the Khawar al Amaya and al Basrah oil terminals in the northern Persian Gulf. ''Curts'' also conducted bi-lateral exercises with the Malaysian and Pakistani navies during her transit to the Gulf.


⚫ In 2007 ''Curts'' was transferred from Commander Destroyer Squadron One to Commander Destroyer Squadron Nine and incorporated into Carrier Strike Group Nine. In March USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' Strike Group (CSG-9) departed for deployment to the ] area of operations (Persian Gulf). This marked ''Curts'' first Strike Group deployment since transfer to the U.S. Naval Reserve. ''Curts'' primarily performed a Critical Infrastructure Protection role by acting as Scene of Action Commander for Oil Platform protection efforts at the Khawar al Amaya and al Basrah oil terminals in the northern Persian Gulf. ''Curts'' also conducted bi-lateral exercises with the Malaysian and Pakistani navies during her transit to the Gulf.
⚫ USS ''Curts'' was decommissioned on 25 January 2013, and was transferred to the inactive reserves on 27 February.<ref>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/03/navy-11-ships-to-be-decommissioned-in-fiscal-2013-031412w/</ref><ref> - Military.com, January 29, 2013</ref>


''Curts'' was commanded by ] from April 2007 to November 2008, making Davids the first Hispanic American woman to command a navy ship.<ref name=first>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=40114|title="Las Primera" Latina to Command a Navy Ship Honored at Gala|author=Zimmerman, Elizabeth|date=1 October 2008|website=U.S. Navy|access-date=2017-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0738.htm|title=USS Curts (FFG 38)|website=NavSource Naval History|access-date=2017-10-12}}</ref>
In December 2012 during the 112th Session Of Congress, a transfer-by-grant was proposed. The recipient would be The ], who may receive the USS ''Curts'' (FFG-38), along with the {{USS|McClusky|FFG-41}}. Both vessels are yet to be transferred. The act of approving the transfer of vessels by the USA does not guarantee that the vessels will actually be transferred.<ref></ref>


⚫ ''Curts'' was decommissioned on 25 January 2013, and was transferred to the inactive reserves on 27 February.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/03/navy-11-ships-to-be-decommissioned-in-fiscal-2013-031412w/ |title=11 ships to be decommissioned in fiscal 2013 |work=NavyTimes |last=Klimas |first=Jacqueline |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/01/29/uss-curts-decommissioned-after-29-years-of-service.html |title=USS Curts Decommissioned After 29 Years of Service |publisher=Military.com |last=Behnke |first=Jason |date=29 January 2013 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107231028/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/01/29/uss-curts-decommissioned-after-29-years-of-service.html |archive-date=7 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Curts'' (FFG-38) is the first ship of that name in the US Navy.


]
⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}
⚫
{{NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FFG38.htm}}


In December 2012 during the 112th Session of Congress, a transfer-by-grant was proposed. The recipient would be The ], who may receive ''Curts'', along with {{USS|McClusky|FFG-41|2}}. Both vessels were not transferred. The act of approving the transfer of vessels by the United States does not guarantee that the vessels will actually be transferred.<ref name=status1>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130106/DEFREG02/301060002/Congressional-Chaos-Costs-U-S-Navy-Millions-Leaves-Ships-Limbo |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628235000/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130106/DEFREG02/301060002/Congressional-Chaos-Costs-U-S-Navy-Millions-Leaves-Ships-Limbo |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2013 |title=Congressional Chaos Costs U.S. Navy Millions, Leaves Ships in Limbo |work=DefenseNews |last=Cavas |first=Christopher P. |date=6 January 2013 |access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> As of September 2016, both ships were in reserve at Pearl Harbor and slated to be disposed of as targets.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/TeamShips/SEA21/InactiveShips/InactiveShipInventory-27Sep16(3).pdf |title= Inactive ship inventory |publisher= NAVSEA, US Navy |date= 27 September 2016 |access-date= 9 October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161012093639/http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/TeamShips/SEA21/InactiveShips/InactiveShipInventory-27Sep16(3).pdf |archive-date= 12 October 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref>
⚫ ==External links==

⚫
On 19 September 2020, ''Curts'' was sunk during a ] (SINKEX) in the Pacific Ocean. The SINKEX was part of ]. She was targeted with live ordnance including air-launched ordnance from fixed and rotary wing of ], embarked aboard the aircraft carrier {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76}}, ] missiles from the cruisers {{USS|Antietam|CG-54}} and {{USS|Shiloh|CG-67}}, a subsurface launched missile from the submarine {{USS|Chicago|SSN-721}}, as well as various supporting U.S. Navy and ] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/130733|title=Valiant Shield 2020: Joint force training to protect the Indo-Pacific |work=Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet|last=U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kelly-Herard |first=Amber R. |date=25 September 2020 |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref>

⚫ == References ==
⚫ {{Reflist}}
{{Naval Vessel Register|{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=FFG38}}}}
⚫


⚫ == External links ==
{{Commons category}} {{Commons category|USS Curts (FFG-38)}}
*{{navsource|07/0738|USS Curts (FFG-38)}}
⚫ *
* *
* *
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{{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}} {{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}}
{{Los Angeles SB&DDC and Todd, Los Angeles ships}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Curts (Ffg-38)}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Curts (Ffg-38)}}
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Latest revision as of 17:14, 7 October 2024

USS Curts FFG-38USS Curts (FFG-38)
History
United States
NameCurts
NamesakeAdmiral Maurice Curts
Awarded27 April 1979
BuilderTodd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California
Laid down1 July 1981
Launched6 March 1982
Acquired2 September 1983
Commissioned8 October 1983
Decommissioned25 January 2013
HomeportNaval Base San Diego
Identification
Nickname(s)".38 Special"
FateSunk as a target, 19 September 2020
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeOliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
Displacement4,100 long tons (4,200 t), full load
Length453 feet (138 m), overall
Beam45 feet (14 m)
Draft22 feet (6.7 m)
Propulsion
Speedover 29 knots (54 km/h)
Range5,000 nautical miles at 18 knots (9,300 km at 33 km/h)
Complement15 officers and 190 enlisted, plus SH-60 LAMPS detachment of roughly six officer pilots and 15 enlisted maintainers
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys		AN/SLQ-32
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × SH-60 LAMPS III helicopters
Aviation facilities

USS Curts (FFG-38) was the twenty-ninth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class of guided-missile frigates. She was named for Admiral Maurice Curts (1898–1976). Curts is the first ship of that name in the US Navy.

Ordered from Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California on 27 April 1979 as part of the FY79 program, Curts was laid down on 1 July 1981, launched on 6 March 1982, and commissioned on 8 October 1983. She was decommissioned on 25 January 2013.

Service history

1980s

Curts's early years in commission were focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations and Curts was the first Pacific Fleet unit with the complete SQQ-89 ASW suite. The ship received the meritorious unit commendation for tactical proficiency in the tracking of Soviet submarines in 1987.

In 1988, Curts received the armed forces expeditionary medal for serving with the USS Missouri battle group during Operation Earnest Will in the north Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Additionally, Curts changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, becoming one of the first two guided-missile frigates to join the Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF). Curts was first to bring SH-60B LAMPS MK III helicopters to Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

Operation Desert Storm

On 24 January 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, the ship and her embarked navy and army helicopters captured an Iraqi garrison on Qaruh Island in the northern Persian Gulf, taking the island and custody of 51 Iraqi prisoners. Curts destroyed two mines, sank an Iraqi minelayer and provided support to combat helicopter operations during the battle of Bubiyan Island. The ship received the navy unit commendation for her exceptional operational performance.

1990s

Upon return from combat operations in June 1991, the ship became an important part of Operation Fiery Vigil rescuing numerous refugees to safety when Mount Pinatubo erupted near Subic Bay, Republic of The Philippines.

In 1993, Curts was upgraded with the 4100-ton class modification, extending her stern another 8 feet (2.4 m) and enhancing her combat capabilities. . Curts joined the Independence Battle Group in 1993 to participate with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in joint anti-submarine warfare exercise MAREX. Later that year, the ship deployed to the Persian Gulf conducting 89 boardings of merchant vessels in the Red Sea as part of United Nations sanctions enforcement against Iraq. Curts material and operational readiness was rewarded with the battle efficiency award for 1994.

In 1994, Curts participated in the RIMPAC 94 exercise and sailed from its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii to participate with International Navies from around the Pacific, including Japan, Korea, Canada and more.

In 1995, Curts participated in major joint exercises with units of the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and later with the navies of Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand for 1996 cooperation afloat for readiness and training (CARAT 96).

In 1997, after nine years of forward presence as part of the seventh fleet, Curts departed Yokosuka, Japan for a homeport change to San Diego, California and in October 1998 Curts joined the Naval Reserve Force (NRF).

In 1998, Curts deployed to the multi-lateral exercise Teamwork South, where she participated in exercises with navies from the United Kingdom, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Upon completion of Teamwork South, Curts steamed to Hawaii to participate in multi-lateral exercise RIMPAC 98. Curts made national headlines when a Salinas, Ecuador hotel security guard died from injuries he received during a scuffle with a LTJG (pilot) and Senior Chief Petty Officer assigned to helicopter squadron HSL-43 embarked on Curts for the deployment. Both men were removed from the ship and returned to the U.S. to face a court martial.

In 1999, Curts deployed to counter-narco-terrorism deployment under the direction of Joint Inter-agency Task Force East (now named Joint Interagency Task Force South). In addition to seizing approximately 5 metric tons of cocaine, Curts conducted rare bi-lateral counter-narcotics exercises with the Colombian Navy. After departing a short visit to Aruba Curts responded to a distress call from M/V Olga, north of the Guajira Peninsula. Curts crew were awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for joint rescue efforts that saved the lives of several Olga crew members. The half-way point of this deployment found Curts celebrating Halloween in Key West, Christmas in St. Thomas and New Years again in Key West, Florida. The timing of this deployment also caused Curts to be the last U.S. warship to transit the Panama Canal under U.S. control in 1999 (ex-USS New Jersey was towed through just before Curts transit) and the first to transit it under Panamanian control in 2000.

2000s

During CARAT cruises in 2001 and 2003, Curts conducted multilateral exercises with the navies of Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines to continue promoting international training and cooperation.

In 2004 Curts again deployed to southern command on a six-month counter-narcotics deployment with Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 105 and received national notoriety for the largest maritime seizure of cocaine (12 tons) in history. The ship received the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance during deployment.

Curts deployed again in 2006 to counter-narco-terrorism deployment. Although less successful than the 2004 deployment, Curts interdicted three cocaine shipments, totalling in excess of 10 metric tons of cocaine and apprehension and transport of over 50 smugglers.

On 16 February 2007, Curts was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.

In 2007 Curts was transferred from Commander Destroyer Squadron One to Commander Destroyer Squadron Nine and incorporated into Carrier Strike Group Nine. In March USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group (CSG-9) departed for deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations (Persian Gulf). This marked Curts first Strike Group deployment since transfer to the U.S. Naval Reserve. Curts primarily performed a Critical Infrastructure Protection role by acting as Scene of Action Commander for Oil Platform protection efforts at the Khawar al Amaya and al Basrah oil terminals in the northern Persian Gulf. Curts also conducted bi-lateral exercises with the Malaysian and Pakistani navies during her transit to the Gulf.

Curts was commanded by Yvette M. Davids from April 2007 to November 2008, making Davids the first Hispanic American woman to command a navy ship.

Curts was decommissioned on 25 January 2013, and was transferred to the inactive reserves on 27 February.

Curts being sunk, in September 2020.

In December 2012 during the 112th Session of Congress, a transfer-by-grant was proposed. The recipient would be The Navy of Mexico, who may receive Curts, along with McClusky. Both vessels were not transferred. The act of approving the transfer of vessels by the United States does not guarantee that the vessels will actually be transferred. As of September 2016, both ships were in reserve at Pearl Harbor and slated to be disposed of as targets.

On 19 September 2020, Curts was sunk during a sinking exercise (SINKEX) in the Pacific Ocean. The SINKEX was part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2020. She was targeted with live ordnance including air-launched ordnance from fixed and rotary wing of Carrier Air Wing Five, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), RGM-84 Harpoon missiles from the cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Shiloh (CG-67), a subsurface launched missile from the submarine USS Chicago (SSN-721), as well as various supporting U.S. Navy and United States Air Force aircraft.

References

  1. "Navy Officer Demoted, Reprimanded". AP NEWS. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  2. "USCG Daily Chronology: 17 September". US Coast Guard. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  3. "Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E"". US Navy. 19 February 2007. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  4. Zimmerman, Elizabeth (1 October 2008). ""Las Primera" Latina to Command a Navy Ship Honored at Gala". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  5. "USS Curts (FFG 38)". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. Klimas, Jacqueline (14 March 2012). "11 ships to be decommissioned in fiscal 2013". NavyTimes. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  7. Behnke, Jason (29 January 2013). "USS Curts Decommissioned After 29 Years of Service". Military.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  8. Cavas, Christopher P. (6 January 2013). "Congressional Chaos Costs U.S. Navy Millions, Leaves Ships in Limbo". DefenseNews. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  9. "Inactive ship inventory" (PDF). NAVSEA, US Navy. 27 September 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  10. U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kelly-Herard, Amber R. (25 September 2020). "Valiant Shield 2020: Joint force training to protect the Indo-Pacific". Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Retrieved 28 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

Public Domain This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here. Text of the Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2012

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