U.S. Navy decommissions frigate USS Kauffman

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The second-to-last U.S. Navy OHP-class frigate, the USS Kauffman, was being decommissioned Friday at Naval Station Norfolk following nearly 28 years of service.

The USS Kaufman, commissioned in early 1987, was last deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo, in which it seized nearly 20,000 pounds of narcotics.

"It has been an honor to be part of such a remarkable legacy as a Kauffman Sailor and to have led such an impressive and capable group of professionals during the final deployment of a Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate," said Cmdr. Michael E. Concannon, the frigate's last commanding officer. "These sailors are tough, they are tenacious and they were overwhelmingly successful during our last counter-drug mission."

Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates first came into service in 1977. They are 445 feet long and displace about 4,100 tons. They were designed for anti-submarine warfare support and protection of shipping missions for amphibious expeditionary forces.

The final OHP-class frigate, the USS Simpson, is to be decommissioned in Florida on Sept. 29.