USS Kauffman (FFG-59) is a decommissioned guided missile frigate of the United States Navy named for Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman (1887âÂÂ1963) and his son, Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman (1911âÂÂ1979), both experts in sub-surface naval missions.
Kauffman was laid down on 8 April 1985 by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; launched on 29 March 1986; sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Kauffman Bush, the daughter of Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman and sister of Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman; and commissioned on 28 February 1987 at Bath, Maine.
As of 2012, Kauffman was homeported at NS Norfolk, Virginia, and assigned to Destroyer Squadron 22.
Kauffman deployed for the final time on 8 January 2015. She was decommissioned on 18 September 2015. At the time of her decommission, she was one of only two Oliver Hazzard Perry-class ships remaining; the last Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship to be decommissioned was .
History
Note: the milestones are extracted from the official command histories and no other sources. The set of command histories available is not complete, resulting in the partial record following.
1988
- 6 January â 28 May: 4100 ton modifications by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.
- 12 August: a sailor died instantly when the Slewing Arm Davit broke from its mount and fell on him.
1989
- 31 May â 10 November: Maiden deployment, Med 3âÂÂ89
- 4âÂÂ7 August: Port visit to Sevastopol, Soviet Union
- October: Sixth Fleet "Hook'em" Award for best ASW platform in Sixth Fleet AO in 1989
- 13 September â 3 October: NATO exercise Display Determination-89
1990
- 9 January: presented with Battle 'E'
- 15 January â 15 March: ships restricted availability, #1A gas turbine engine and the Mk. 75 76mm gun mount are replaced
- 8âÂÂ15 June: BALTOPS-90
- 27âÂÂ30 June: Gdynia, Poland port visit
1991
- 26 April â 26 October: deployment, MEF 2âÂÂ91
- 4 June â 16 September: Middle East Force (MEF) operations in the Persian Gulf
1992
- 6 January â 21 February: counter narcotic operations, Caribbean Sea
- towed a vessel that had lost propulsion to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
- rescued the crew from the stricken coastal freighter Ramsli just before she sank
- 2 August â 23 October: Ships Restricted Availability (Drydock), by Bath Iron Works Bath, Maine
- 15 September: presented with Battle 'E'
1993
1994
1996
- 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 System
- 8 July â 24 August: counter drug operations, Caribbean Sea
- 20 September: Commander John A. Kunert, USN relieves Commander David F. Britt, USN
- 10âÂÂ31 December: Operation Carib Shield â counter drug operations, Caribbean Sea
1997
1998
- 13 March â 11 September: deployed, Med (originally tasked to Middle East Force)
- 12 October â 11 December: planned restricted availability
1999
2004
- 15 July â 22 September: ships restricted availability, installed Mk 53 "Nulka" Decoy Launching System (DLS)
References
External links