USS Kinkaid (DD-965)

• Namesake: USS Kinkaid (DD-965) was named after Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, a notable World War II naval commander who played a major role in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf. • Spruance-class Destroyer: Kinkaid was part of the Spruance class, designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare but later adapted for multiple roles, including anti-air and anti-surface warfare. • Launch and Commissioning: The ship was launched on 6 August 1974 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on 9 December 1976. • First Deployment: USS Kinkaid’s first deployment was to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans in 1978, where she operated with the U.S. Seventh Fleet. • Iran Hostage Crisis: In 1980, Kinkaid participated in Operation Eagle Claw, the failed mission to rescue American hostages in Iran, serving as part of the supporting naval task force in the Arabian Sea. • Collision Incident: On 12 November 1989, Kinkaid collided with the merchant ship M/V Kota Petani in the Strait of Malacca. The incident caused significant damage, but the crew managed emergency repairs to continue operations. • Persian Gulf War Service: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Kinkaid was deployed to the Persian Gulf, providing escort and anti-air warfare support for coalition naval forces. • Humanitarian Missions: Kinkaid participated in Operation Fiery Vigil in 1991, helping evacuate U.S. military personnel and their families from the Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. • Technological Upgrades: Throughout her service, Kinkaid received several upgrades, including the addition of the Tomahawk cruise missile system and advanced sonar and electronics, keeping her combat-ready. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Kinkaid was decommissioned on 6 April 2003 and later sunk as a target during a training exercise (SINKEX) off the coast of California on 14 July 2004.