USS Sides (FFG-14)

USS Sides (FFG-14) is an Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigate of the US Navy.

The eighth ship in the class, it was named for Admiral John H. Sides (died 1978). Ordered from Todd Shipyards, San Pedro, California, on 27 February 1976 as part of the FY76 program, Sides was laid down on 7 August 1978, launched on 19 May 1979, and commissioned on 30 May 1981. Sides escorted tankers through the Straits of Hormuz during the Tanker War and participated in Operation Praying Mantis, the retaliation for Iranian mining operations. The Sides was also part of the Surface Action Group under USS Vincennes (CG-49) when Iran Air 655 was shot down. Decommissioned on 28 February 2003, Sides is currently laid up in reserve at Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility Bremerton, Washington.

Sides was expected to join the Portuguese Navy in 2006, together with her sister ship USS George Philip (FFG-12), but the Portuguese Navy  dropped the offer and  chose two Dutch Karel Doorman Frigates instead.

Sides was expected to join the Turkish Navy in the summer of 2008, together with her sister ship USS George Philip (FFG-12), but the Turkish Navy  dropped the offer.