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USS Kauffman (FFG-59)
Encyclopedia
USS Kauffman (FFG-59), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class
Oliver 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...
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"...
, is a ship of the United States 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...
named for
Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman (1887–1963) and his son, Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman
Draper L. Kauffman
Rear Admiral Draper Laurence Kauffman was a pioneering underwater demolition expert, who served during the 1960s as 44th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. During World War II, he organized the first U.S. Navy Demolition Teams, which later gave rise to the SEALs...
(1911–1979), both experts in sub-surface naval missions.
Kauffman was laid down on 8 April 1985 by the 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...
, Bath, Maine
Bath, Maine
Bath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,266. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath is a port of entry with a good harbor. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its...
; 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 29 March 1986; sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Kauffman Bush the daughter of Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman; 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 28 February 1987 at Bath, Maine
Bath, Maine
Bath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,266. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath is a port of entry with a good harbor. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its...
, Commander John C. Dranchak, USN in command.
As of 2009, Kauffman is captained by Commander Dale. W. Maxey, USN, homeported at NS Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, and assigned to Destroyer Squadron 26.
Milestones
Note: the milestones are extracted from the official command histories http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg59.htm and no other sources. The set of command histories available is not complete, resulting in the partial record following.1988 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1988.pdf
- 6 January — 28 May: 4100 ton modifications by Bath Iron WorksBath Iron WorksBath 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...
in Bath, MaineBath, MaineBath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,266. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath is a port of entry with a good harbor. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its... - 12 August: BM3 Kerekgyarto died instantly when the Slewing Arm Davit broke from its mount and fell on him.
1989 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1989.pdf
- 7 April: Commander Ronald C. Bogle, USN relieves Commander John C. (30 knot)Dranchak, USN
- 31 May — 10 November: Maiden deployment, Med 3-89
- 4—7 August: Sevastapol, USSR port visit
- 13 September — 3 October: NATO exercise Display Determination-89
1990 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1990.pdf
- 9 January: presented with Battle 'E'
- 15 January — 15 March: ships restricted availability, #1A gas turbine generator and the Mk. 75 76mm gun mount are replaced
- 8 — 15 June: BALTOPSBALTOPSBALTOPS is an annual military exercise, held and sponsored by the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe since 1971, in the Baltic Sea and the regions surrounding it....
-90
1991 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1991.pdf
- 5 April: Commander James H. Chapman Jr., USN relieves Commander Ronald C. Bogle, USN
- 26 April — 26 October: deployment, MEF 2-91
- 4 June — 16 September: Middle East Force (MEF) operations in the Persian GulfPersian GulfThe Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
1992 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1992.pdf
- 6 January — 21 February: counter narcotic operations, Caribbean SeaCaribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
- towed a vessel that had lost propulsion 250 NM to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
- rescued the crew from the striken 237 feet (72 m) coastal freighter Ramsli just before she sank
- 2 August — 23 October: Ships Restricted Availability (Drydock), by Bath Iron WorksBath Iron WorksBath 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...
Bath, MaineBath, MaineBath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,266. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath is a port of entry with a good harbor. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its... - 15 September: presented with Battle 'E'
- 18 December: Commander James F. Deppe, USN relieves Commander James H. Chapman Jr., USN
1993 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1993.pdf
- 11 March — 8 September: deployed, Med 2-93
- 29 April — 18 June: Operation Deny FlightOperation Deny FlightOperation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
in the Adriatic SeaAdriatic SeaThe Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
, Operation Maritime GuardOperation Maritime GuardOperation Maritime Guard was a NATO blockade, in the international waters of the Adriatic Sea, of the former Yugoslavia.-Scope:The operation began on November 22, 1992... - 22 June — 17 August: Maritime Interdiction OperationsMaritime Interdiction OperationsMaritime Interdiction Operations are naval conducted operations, that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area before they do any harm against friendly forces, similar to Air Interdiction Operations....
enforcing United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
sanctions against IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, North Red SeaRed SeaThe Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez... - 7 November: provided assistance to the Argentine frigate ARA Granville (P-33) while in port at Roosevelt Roads Naval StationRoosevelt Roads Naval StationRoosevelt Roads Naval Station is a former United States military air base in the town of Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The site is run today as José Aponte de la Torre Airport, a public use airport.-History:...
, Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... - 9 November — 6 December: counter drug operations, Caribbean SeaCaribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
1994 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1994.pdf
- 13 May — 3 June: Maritime Interception Operations enforcing United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
sanctions against HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island... - 6 June: Homeport shift from Newport, Rhode IslandNewport, Rhode IslandNewport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
to Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaNorfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach.... - 1 July — 1 August: Operation Support Democracy, HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
with 3 US Army OH-58 KiowaOH-58 KiowaThe Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
helicopters - 5—6 July: rescued 787 migrants from Haitian watersHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, transported to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - 20—21 July: towed the Motor Vessel Valerie I from the south coast of HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - 9 September: Commander David F. Britt, USN relives Commander James F. Deppe, USN
1996 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1996.pdf
- 24 April: completion of an extended ships restricted availability period beginning September 1995, including installation of Mod 6 to the Mk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control SystemMk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control SystemThe Mk 92 Fire Control System is a US-built medium-range anti-aircraft missile and gun fire control system. It was developed for the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigates. The system is a licensed USN version of the Thales Nederland WM-25 fire control system. The Mark 92 fire control...
- 8 July — 24 August: counter drug operations, Caribbean SeaCaribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
- 20 September: Commander John A. Kunert, USN relives Commander David F. Britt, USN
- 10—31 December: Operation Carib Shield - counter drug operations, Caribbean SeaCaribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
1997 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1997.pdf
- 1—17 January: Operation Carib Shield - counter drug operations, Caribbean SeaCaribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
- 4 March — 24 June: ships restricted availability (drydock) by Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Company
1998 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1998.pdf
- 6 March: Commander George J. Karol II, USN relieves Commander John A. Kunert, USN
- 13 March — 11 September: deployed, Med (originally tasked to Middle East Force)
- 12 October — 11 December: planned restricted availability
1999 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/1999.pdf
- 27 August: Commander Rigoberto Sáez-Ortiz, USN relieves Commander John A. Kunert, USN
- 15—18 September: sortied for Hurricane DennisHurricane DennisHurricane Dennis was an early-forming major hurricane in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during the very active 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season...
2004 http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-59/2004.pdf
- 15 July — 22 September: ships restricted availability, installed Mk 53 "NulkaNulkaNulka is an Australian designed and developed active missile decoy built by an Australian/American collaboration. Used aboard warships of the United States Navy , Royal Australian Navy , United States Coast Guard , and Canadian Forces, Nulka is a rocket propelled, disposable, offboard, active decoy...
" Decoy Launching System (DLS) - 31 August: Commander Kenneth A. Krogman, USN relieves Commander John P. Gelinne, USN
Commanding officers
Note: unless otherwise referenced, information has been sourced from the official command histories http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg59.htm.- 28 February 1987 http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.html#guid=cba0d952a8092ae1973c6997ed8efb9c5b2b5e16 — 7 April 1989: Commander John C. Dranchak, USN
- 7 April 1989 — 5 April 1991: Commander Ronald C. Bogle, USN
- 5 April 1991 — 18 December 1992: Commander James H. Chapman Jr., USN
- 18 December 1992 — 9 September 1994: Commander James F. Deppe, USN
- 9 September 1994 — 20 September 1996: Commander David F. Britt, USN
- 20 September 1996 — 6 March 1998: Commander John A. Kunert, USN
- 6 March 1998 — 27 August 1999: Commander George J. Karol III, USN
- 27 August 1999 — (unknown): Commander Rigoberto Sáez-Ortiz, USN
- May 2001 (est) — 28 February 2003: Commander Mark Reagan Hagerott http://www.spongobongo.com/em/em9683.htm
- 28 February 2003 http://www.spongobongo.com/em/em9683.htm — 31 August 2004: Commander John P. Gelinne, USN
- 31 August 2004 — (unknown), at 30 September 2005 http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/sep2005/a093005tj2.html: Commander Kenneth A. Krogman, USN
- at 27 November 2006 http://www.uscarriers.net/ffg59history.htm and at 12 March 2007: Commander Chris Rhoden, USN http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.html#guid=fbfc2ab445e466285768ffd96dfa1c1d1ad7d046
- at 7 April 2008 http://www.uscarriers.net/ffg59history.htm and at 16 November 2008 http://www.navyleague.org/public_relations/Nov08/112108-Broward-County-Veterans-Salute-USS-Kauffman-16Nov08.php — 8 June 2009 http://www.uscarriers.net/ffg59history.htm: Commander Robert Cepek
- 8 June 2009 — (unknown) : Commander Dale W. Maxey, USN http://www.uscarriers.net/ffg59history.htm
- present: Commander William K. Shafley III, USN http://www.kauffman.navy.mil/pages/CO.aspx
External links
- USS Kauffman official website
- navsource.org: USS Kauffman
- navysite.de: USS Kauffman
- MaritimeQuest USS Kauffman FFG-59 pages
