USS Kauffman (FFG-59)
# USS Kauffman (FFG-59)

USS Kauffman (FFG-59), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman (1887–1963) and his son, Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman (1911–1979), 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 USS Simpson (FFG-56).

## 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 – 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 – 10 November: Maiden deployment, Med 3–89
* 4–7 August: Sevastopol, USSR port visit
* October: Sixth Fleet "Hook'em" Award for best ASW platform in Sixth Fleet AO in 1989
* 13 September – 3 October: NATO exercise Display Determination-89

1990

* 9 January: presented with Battle 'E'
* 15 January – 15 March: ships restricted availability, #1A gas turbine engine and the Mk. 75 76mm gun mount are replaced
* 8–15 June: BALTOPS-90

1991

* 26 April – 26 October: deployment, MEF 2–91
* 4 June – 16 September: Middle East Force (MEF) operations in the Persian Gulf

1992

* 6 January – 21 February: counter narcotic operations, Caribbean Sea
   * towed a vessel that had lost propulsion 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
   * rescued the crew from the stricken 237 feet (72 m) coastal freighter Ramsli just before she sank
* 2 August – 23 October: Ships Restricted Availability (Drydock), by Bath Iron Works Bath, Maine
* 15 September: presented with Battle 'E'

1993

* 11 March – 8 September: deployed, Med 2–93
* 29 April – 18 June: Operation Deny Flight in the Adriatic Sea, Operation Maritime Guard
* 22 June – 17 August: Maritime Interdiction Operations enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq, North Red Sea
* 7 November: provided assistance to the Argentine frigate ARA Granville (P-33) while in port at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico
* 9 November – 6 December: counter drug operations, Caribbean Sea

1994

* 13 May – 3 June: Maritime Interception Operations enforcing United Nations sanctions against Haiti
* 6 June: Homeport shift from Newport, Rhode Island, to Norfolk, Virginia
* 1 July – 1 August: Operation Support Democracy, Haiti with 3 US Army OH-58 Kiowa helicopters
* 5–6 July: rescued 787 migrants from Haitian waters, transported to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
* 20–21 July: towed the Motor Vessel Valerie I from the south coast of Haiti to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

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 – 24 August: counter drug operations, Caribbean Sea
* 20 September: Commander John A. Kunert, USN relieves Commander David F. Britt, USN
* 10–31 December: Operation Carib Shield – counter drug operations, Caribbean Sea

1997

* 1–17 January: Operation Carib Shield – counter drug operations, Caribbean Sea
* 4 March – 24 June: ships restricted availability (drydock) by Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Company

1998

* 13 March – 11 September: deployed, Med (originally tasked to Middle East Force)
* 12 October – 11 December: planned restricted availability

1999

* 15–18 September: sortied for Hurricane Dennis

2004

* 15 July – 22 September: ships restricted availability, installed Mk 53 "Nulka" Decoy Launching System (DLS)
