USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG -34)

• Namesake: USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) was named in honor of Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch, a decorated naval aviator and key leader at the Battle of the Coral Sea during World War II. • Class and Type: She was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, a workhorse class for the US Navy during the late Cold War era. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 9 October 1982 at Bath, Maine, after being constructed by Bath Iron Works. • First Homeport: Her first homeport was Mayport, Florida, where she joined Atlantic Fleet operations. • Operation Earnest Will: In 1988, Aubrey Fitch participated in Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War. • Counter-Narcotics Operations: She was frequently employed in Caribbean and South American waters in counter-narcotics patrols, helping intercept illegal drug shipments. • UNITAS Exercises: Aubrey Fitch took part in several UNITAS multinational naval exercises, strengthening ties with South American navies and enhancing interoperability. • Rescue Missions: The ship conducted several at-sea rescues, including the recovery of Cuban migrants in the 1990s, showcasing versatility in humanitarian missions. • Decommissioning: Aubrey Fitch was decommissioned on 12 December 1997 after 15 years of service and was later scrapped in 2004. • Crest Symbolism: Her ship’s crest features a silver dolphin and trident, symbolizing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities and naval heritage.