Tag Archives: FFG 60

Cold War & Beyond: Life & violent death of USS Rodney M. Davis

Image possibly recorded by California Air National Guard MQ-9A Reaper drone, 12JUL2022.

On 12JUL2022, naval forces from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and the United States, intentionally attacked the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), using Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

It was part of the Sinking Exercise (SinkEx), during the Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) wargames near Hawaii.  RimPac is conducted from June 29 through August 4, and involves 26 countries, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25-thousand personnel rampaging around Hawaii and California. RimPac wargames are left-over from the Cold War, starting in 1971.

Dramatic Royal Canadian Navy/U.S. Navy (USN) music video of death of FFG 60,  12JUL2022:

The Royal Malaysian Navy made history by launching anti-ship missiles, for the first time, outside of Malaysian territory. Royal Malaysian Navy video of Harpoon launch, 12JUL2022:

Silent USN video of death of FFG 60, 12JUL2022:

Royal Canadian Navy slo-mo video of Harpoon launch from HMCS Winnipeg, 12JUL2022:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Brandon Vinson, 12JUL2022.

The USN launched their AGM-84D-1 Harpoons from Boeing P-8A Poseidons.

Photo via Todd Pacific Shipyards, 08FEB1985.

The keel for FFG 60 was laid on 08FEB1985, in Los Angeles, California, by Todd Pacific Shipyards.

Judy P. Davis, widow of FFG 60’s namesake Rodney Maxwell Davis, christens the guided missile frigate R.M. DAVIS (FFG-60). Photo via Todd Pacific Shipyards, 11JAN1986

FFG 60 was launched in Los Angeles, California, on 11JAN1986.

Photo via Todd Pacific Shipyards, 11JAN1986.

USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Michael D. P. Flynn, 09MAY1987.

FFG 60 was commissioned on 09MAY1987. It was decommissioned on 23JAN2015.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Justin A. Johndro, 19DEC2014.

On 19DEC2014, FFG 60 returned to its  home port of Everett, Washington.  Video of its final homecoming by Petty Officer Third Class Seth Coulter:

USN video, by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins, FFG 60 gets refueled by USNS Pecos, 21OCT2014:

Final firing of FFG 60’s Phalanx Close-In Weapons System, 29OCT2014. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins.

FFG 60 is dwarfed by oiler USNS Tippecanoe, while on its final cruise, somewhere in the Indian Ocean. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins, 04OCT2014.

Final live-fire of its Mark 38 25mm machine gun, 01OCT2014. The Mark 38 replaced the original missile launcher. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins.

Final Firing of the Mark 75 gun, 25AUG2014. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins.

Royal Canadian Armed Forces video, FFG 60 during RimPac 08JUL2014:

USN video, FFG 60 arrives for RimPac 27JUN2008:

The Mark 75 76mm/62-caliber gun mounted amidships. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Michael D. P. Flynn, 09MAY1987.

Cold War & Beyond: SOLD FOR ONE PENNY! The Humiliating DEATH OF THE COLD WAR RELIC USS KITTY HAWK