USS Brewton

• USS Brewton (FF-1086) was a Knox-class frigate: Launched in 1971, Brewton was part of a class of 46 ships designed for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. • Named after Lieutenant John Brewton: The ship honors Lt. John Brewton, a U.S. Navy officer killed in action during World War II in the Solomon Islands. • Commissioned in 1972: USS Brewton was officially commissioned into service on July 8, 1972, at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California. • Served in the Pacific Fleet: The frigate operated primarily with the U.S. Pacific Fleet, homeported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and San Diego, California. • Vietnam War service: USS Brewton saw action during the final years of the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and escorting aircraft carriers. • Notable rescue missions: The ship participated in several search and rescue operations in the Pacific, including saving Vietnamese refugees (boat people) in the late 1970s. • Modernized with the LAMPS system: Brewton was upgraded to operate the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS), allowing her to deploy SH-2 Seasprite helicopters for anti-submarine missions. • Decommissioned in 1992: After over 20 years of service, the ship was decommissioned on July 2, 1992, as part of post-Cold War force reductions. • Transferred to the Republic of China Navy: In 1999, USS Brewton was transferred to Taiwan under the Security Assistance Program and renamed ROCS Fong Yang (FFG-933). • Still in service as of the 2020s: As ROCS Fong Yang, the former USS Brewton continues to serve in the Taiwanese Navy, a testament to the ship's durable design and legacy.