Bahrainian frigate Sabha (90)
Encyclopedia
RBNS Sabha (formerly known as USS Jack Williams FFG-24 during its career in US) is a frigate
now in service with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force. The ownership was transferred to Bahrain
as a gift on . The frigate was ordered by the US Navy
on , and laid down on . It was officially launched by the US Navy on . The frigate is now considered as the lead frigate of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.
of guided-missile frigate
s. It was named for Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Jack Williams
, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
for his heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima
.
The frigate was ordered from Bath Iron Works
on as part of the FY77 Program. Jack Williams was laid down on ; launched
on and commissioned
on . Decommissioned and stricken on , she was transferred to Bahrain the same day, and recommissioned as the RBNS Sabha. USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) was the first ship of that name in the US Navy
.
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
now in service with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force. The ownership was transferred to Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
as a gift on . The frigate was ordered by the US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on , and laid down on . It was officially launched by the US Navy on . The frigate is now considered as the lead frigate of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.
History
During its career as USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) in the United States, it was the sixteenth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry ClassOliver Hazard Perry class frigate
The Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
of guided-missile frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s. It was named for Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Jack Williams
Jack Williams (Medal of Honor)
Jack Williams was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.-Biography:...
, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
.
The frigate was ordered from Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works is a major American shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, United States. Since its founding in 1884 , BIW has built private, commercial and military vessels, most of which have been ordered by the United States Navy...
on as part of the FY77 Program. Jack Williams was laid down on ; launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on . Decommissioned and stricken on , she was transferred to Bahrain the same day, and recommissioned as the RBNS Sabha. USS Jack Williams (FFG-24) was the first ship of that name in the US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.