CNO: May bring back ‘Fig 7s’

The Navy has studies underway to put seven or eight mothballed Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates (FFG-7s, also known as “Fig 7s”) back into service, and extending the life of current Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers (DDG-51s) to help the Navy reach its goal of a 355-ship fleet, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson. “We’re taking a hard look” at the Perry frigates, he said. “There’s seven or eight … but those are some old ships,” he continued. The studies will include a cost benefit analysis. The extended life plan for the DDG-51s could help the Navy reach the 355 ship level 10-to-15 years faster. (Source: USNI News 06/13/17) Gulf Coast Note: USS Antrim (FFG-20) and USS Flatley (FFG-21), the first two ships to homeport at now-closed Naval Station Mobile, Ala., were transferred to the Turkish Navy in 1997 and 2001 respectively. NSM’s also-closed sister naval station at Pascagoula, Miss., was home to USS John L. Hall (FFG-32) and Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29). The Hall was decommissioned in November 2012, and remains at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The Groves was decommissioned in February 2012 and is also in dry dock at the Philadelphia yard.