About this Unit
USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1973. Named after Admiral Thomas C. Hart, the ship was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. USS Thomas C. Hart served in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, patrols, and operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. After nearly two decades of service, the frigate was decommissioned in 1993 and later transferred to Turkey, where it served as TCG Zafer (F253).
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092) was named after Admiral Thomas C. Hart, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served during both World Wars and played a pivotal role in naval operations in the Pacific.
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Class & Type: The ship was a Knox-class frigate, originally designated as a destroyer escort (DE-1092) before being reclassified as a frigate (FF-1092) in 1975.
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Commissioning: USS Thomas C. Hart was commissioned on 25 July 1973 at the Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Cold War Service: The frigate served during the height of the Cold War, conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises and operations aimed at tracking Soviet submarines.
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Notable Deployments: The ship completed multiple deployments to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the U.S. 6th Fleet, participating in NATO exercises and operations.
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Rescue Operations: In 1979, Thomas C. Hart helped rescue Vietnamese boat people in the South China Sea, highlighting the humanitarian role of the Navy during the Indochina refugee crisis.
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Technological Features: The ship was equipped with the AN/SQS-26 sonar, making it an effective platform for submarine detection and tracking.
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Armament: Armaments included an ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) launcher, a 5-inch/54 caliber gun, torpedo tubes, and later, a Sea Sparrow missile launcher for air defense.
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Decommissioning & Transfer: Thomas C. Hart was decommissioned on 30 July 1993 and subsequently transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Zafer (F-253) in the Turkish Navy.
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Legacy: The ship's badge and memorabilia are preserved in various naval museums, and her service is remembered for its contributions to Cold War naval operations and humanitarian missions.
