About this Unit
USS Fanning (FF-1076) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971. Named after Nathaniel Fanning, a naval hero of the American Revolution, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, USS Fanning participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean and Western Pacific, helping to safeguard U.S. and allied maritime interests. After nearly two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in 1993 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Adatepe (F-251).
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Fanning (FF-1076) was named after Nathaniel Fanning, a notable naval officer and privateer during the American Revolutionary War, renowned for his heroics under John Paul Jones aboard the Bonhomme Richard.
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Class and Type: Fanning was a Knox-class frigate, originally classified as a destroyer escort (DE-1076) before being reclassified as a frigate (FF-1076) in 1975.
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Launch and Commission: She was launched on 24 January 1970 by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned into service on 23 July 1971.
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Vietnam War Service: Fanning deployed to the Western Pacific, supporting U.S. operations during the Vietnam War, including carrier escort and patrol duties.
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Rescue at Sea: In September 1974, Fanning was involved in the dramatic rescue of Vietnamese refugees (boat people) adrift in the South China Sea, highlighting the Navy's humanitarian missions.
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Sonar and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): The ship was equipped with the SQS-26 sonar and was a key ASW platform, frequently operating with the LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) helicopter for submarine hunting.
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Cold War Operations: Fanning participated in numerous Cold War exercises, including NATO joint operations, and patrolled the Atlantic and Mediterranean to counter Soviet naval activity.
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Homeport: Her homeports included Newport, Rhode Island, and later Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, reflecting deployments in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Fanning was decommissioned on 31 July 1993 and was later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Adatepe (F-251) in the Turkish Navy.
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Legacy: USS Fanning received several awards during her service, including the Navy Unit Commendation and the Humanitarian Service Medal, highlighting her operational versatility and distinguished service history.
