USS Vandegrift FFG-48

• Namesake: USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) was named in honor of General Alexander A. Vandegrift, the 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. • Class and Type: She was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, a class known for its versatile anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. • Commissioning: USS Vandegrift was commissioned on November 24, 1984, at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington. • Operations in the Persian Gulf: In the late 1980s, Vandegrift was deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. • Counter-Narcotics Missions: The ship participated in multiple counter-narcotics operations in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, helping to interdict illegal drug shipments. • Humanitarian Assistance: In 2007, Vandegrift was involved in humanitarian assistance following severe flooding in Bangladesh, delivering aid and supplies. • Hollywood Appearance: USS Vandegrift appeared in the 1990 film "The Hunt for Red October," serving as the fictional USS Reuben James. • Multinational Exercises: The frigate took part in several multinational exercises, including RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) and CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training), strengthening international naval cooperation. • Decommissioning: USS Vandegrift was decommissioned on March 31, 2015, after more than 30 years of service. • International Transfer: After decommissioning, the ship was transferred to the Mexican Navy, where she now serves as ARM Independencia (F-215).