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USS Simpson (FFG-56)
Encyclopedia
USS Simpson (FFG-56) is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class
guided missile frigate
of the United States Navy
, named for Rear Admiral
Rodger W. Simpson
.
, Maine
, on 27 February 1984, launched
on 31 August 1984 sponsored by Mrs. Gloria Fowles-Simpson widow of Rodger W. Simpson and commissioned
on 21 September 1985 in Newport, Rhode Island
, Cmdr. H. Wyman Howard Jr. in command. The ship was delivered 13 September 1985. BIW plans called for delivery to occur 9 August 1985, but that date slipped due to an extended strike at Bath Iron Works 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.
In January 1986, Simpson participated in search and recovery operations following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
.
Beginning January 1988, Simpsons first overseas deployment was to the Persian Gulf
as part of Operation Earnest Will
, to escort reflagged Kuwait
i oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War. On 17 April 1988, Simpson took part in Operation Praying Mantis
, the U.S. response to the mining of the frigate
, which hit an Iranian M-08 mine
on 14 April 1988.
On 18 April, Simpson, along with and , destroyed Iran
ian naval and intelligence facilities on the oil platform Sirri in the Persian Gulf. Later that day, the ships encountered the Iranian Kaman Class (Combatte II type) missile patrol boat Joshan
, which launched a Harpoon missile
. 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.
Simpson is one of two presently commissioned ships in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel with her shipboard weaponry (as opposed to aircraft). Another is the .
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 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) away and responded immediately to rescue the crew. The fire was so intense that US ships could not approach it and Surf City would burn for two weeks. At the time it 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 America' s battlegroup. During the deployment Simpson participated in Operation Deny Flight
and Operation Provide Promise
in the Adriatic Sea
and U.N. 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.
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.
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.
_sails_past_the_statue_of_liberty.jpg)
Simpson deployed with 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. Simpsons Mk 13 missile launcher
was removed sometime in 2005 prior to her next deployment.
_and_algerian_frigate_el_kirch.jpg)
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
.
As of 2008, Simpson was homeported at Naval Station Mayport
, Florida, and is part of Destroyer Squadron 14. Simpson has been part of the Active Naval Reserve Force, Category A since 2002.
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...
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"...
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 Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Rodger W. Simpson
Rodger W. Simpson
Rodger Whitton Simpson was a rear admiral of the United States Navy, who distinguished himself during World War II. The frigate was named in his honor.-Biography:...
.
History
Simpson was laid down at Bath Iron WorksBath 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...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, on 27 February 1984, 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 31 August 1984 sponsored by Mrs. Gloria Fowles-Simpson widow of Rodger W. Simpson 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 21 September 1985 in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport 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...
, Cmdr. H. Wyman Howard Jr. in command. The ship was delivered 13 September 1985. BIW plans called for delivery to occur 9 August 1985, but that date slipped due to an extended strike at Bath Iron Works that began 30 June 1985. Simpson was homeported at Naval Station Newport
Naval Station Newport
The Naval Station Newport is a United States Navy base located in the towns of Newport and Middletown, Rhode Island. Naval Station Newport is home to the Naval War College and the Naval Justice School...
until switching to Naval Station 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...
on 31 March 1994. Simpson moved to Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport is a major United States Navy base in Jacksonville, Florida. It contains a military airfield with one asphalt paved runway measuring 8,001 x 200 ft. ....
in July 2001.
In January 1986, Simpson participated in search and recovery operations following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members. The spacecraft disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida at 11:38 am EST...
.
Beginning January 1988, Simpsons first overseas deployment was to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The 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...
as part of Operation Earnest Will
Operation Earnest Will
Operation Earnest Will was the U.S. military protection of Kuwaiti owned tankers from Iranian attacks in 1987 and 1988, three years into the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War. It was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II.The U.S. Navy warships that escorted the tankers, part of...
, to escort reflagged Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
i oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War. On 17 April 1988, Simpson took part in Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Praying Mantis was an attack on April 18, 1988, by U.S. naval forces within Iranian territorial waters in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf during the Iran Iraq war and the subsequent damage to an American warship....
, the U.S. response to the mining of the 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"...
, which hit an Iranian M-08 mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
on 14 April 1988.
On 18 April, Simpson, along with and , destroyed Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian naval and intelligence facilities on the oil platform Sirri in the Persian Gulf. Later that day, the ships encountered the Iranian Kaman Class (Combatte II type) missile patrol boat Joshan
Joshan
Joshan has been the name of a number of Iranian naval vessels.The latest Joshan is P225, an Iranian fast attack/patrol missile boat claimed by the Iranian government as one of the best PT boats in the world...
, which launched a Harpoon missile
Boeing Harpoon
The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas . In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7,000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977...
. 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
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
and the Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
for this operation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
for the deployment.
Simpson is one of two presently commissioned ships in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel with her shipboard weaponry (as opposed to aircraft). Another is the .
1990s
20 February 1990, Simpson rescued 22 crew members from MV Surf City, a reflagged Kuwaiti tanker carrying $9 million in naphthaNaphtha
Naphtha normally refers to a number of different flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, i.e., a component of natural gas condensate or a distillation product from petroleum, coal tar or peat boiling in a certain range and containing certain hydrocarbons. It is a broad term covering among the...
and gas oil. Surf City was transiting near the Iranian island of Abu Musa
Abu Musa
Abu Musa is a 12-km² island in the eastern Persian Gulf, part of a six-island archipelago near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The island is administered by Iran as part of the Iranian province of Hormozgan, but is also claimed by the United Arab Emirates .Abu Musa's inhabitants call it...
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 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) away and responded immediately to rescue the crew. The fire was so intense that US ships could not approach it and Surf City would burn for two weeks. At the time it 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
In August 1993 on Simpson
Operation Deny Flight
Operation 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...
and Operation Provide Promise
Operation Provide Promise
Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars, from 2 July 1992, to 9 January 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history....
in the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The 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...
and U.N. Operation Continue Hope off Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. Simpson returned to homeport in February 1994.
In May 1994, Simpson was one of the ships enforcing United Nations sanctions on Haiti.
Simpson deployed to the Caribbean Sea for counter drug operations
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
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
Adriatic Sea
The 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...
enforcing UN arms embargo against Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and participating in Operation Sharp Guard
Operation Sharp Guard
Operation Sharp Guard was a multi-year joint naval blockade in the Adriatic Sea by NATO and the Western European Union on shipments to the former Yugoslavia. Warships and maritime patrol aircraft from 14 countries were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runners.The operation began on...
. Simpson returned to Norfolk 8 May 1996.
2000s
Capt. Gerald F. DeConto, Simpsons commanding officer from September 1998 to April 2000 was killed at the PentagonThe Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
during the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
.
In July 2002, Simpson responded to Malpelo Island
Malpelo Island
Malpelo Island is an island located from Colombia's Pacific coast, and approximately from Panama's coast. It has a land area of . It is uninhabited except for a small military post manned by the Colombian Army, which was established in 1986. Visitors need a written permit from the Colombian...
to medevac a wounded Colombian Marine who had received three gunshot wounds.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
12 October 2004 during this deployment. Simpsons Mk 13 missile launcher
Mk 13 Missile Launcher
The Mk-13 guided missile launching system is a single-arm missile launcher designed for use on frigates and other military vessels.The Mark 13 is equipped to fire the RIM-66 Standard, RGM-84 Harpoon, and RIM-24 Tartar missiles for anti-air and anti-ship defense, and is capable of firing the...
was removed sometime in 2005 prior to her next deployment.
Standing NRF Maritime Group 1
Standing NATO Maritime Group One is one of NATO's standing maritime Immediate Reaction Forces. Prior to 1 January 2005 it was known as Standing Naval Force Atlantic...
and participated in a number of international naval exercises in the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
, Norwegian Sea
Norwegian Sea
The Norwegian Sea is a marginal sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Norway. It is located between the North Sea and the Greenland Sea and adjoins the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Barents Sea to the northeast. In the southwest, it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a...
and Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
returning to Mayport 24 June 2006.
On 5 October 2007, Simpson deployed with HSL-46, Det. 7 and U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Law Enforcement Detachment
Law Enforcement Detachments
Law Enforcement Detachments or LEDETs are specialized, deployable maritime law enforcement teams of the United States Coast Guard. First established in 1982, their primary mission is to deploy aboard U.S. and allied naval vessels to conduct and support law enforcement, interdiction, or security...
(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
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
As of 2008, Simpson was homeported at Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport is a major United States Navy base in Jacksonville, Florida. It contains a military airfield with one asphalt paved runway measuring 8,001 x 200 ft. ....
, Florida, and is part of Destroyer Squadron 14. Simpson has been part of the Active Naval Reserve Force, Category A since 2002.
See also
External links
- USS Simpson official website
- navsource.org: USS Simpson
- navysite.de: USS Simpson - History section appears to duplicate old versions of the official Simpson web site Pre-1998 history 1998-1999 history 2000 history
- History of the Frigate
- Maritime Quest - Simpson