USS McClusky (FFG-41)

USS McClusky (FFG-41), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy named for Rear Admiral C. Wade McClusky (1902–1976). In the Battle of Midway, then-Lieutenant Commander McClusky led USS Enterprise's air group, which sank the Japanese carriers Kaga and Akagi. She is currently part of Destroyer Squadron 1.

McClusky was laid down on 18 October 1981 by the Todd Pacific Shipyards Co., Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, Ca.; launched on 18 September 1982; and commissioned on 10 December 1983 in Long Beach, California, Commander Lynch in command.

In 1986 McClusky was part of Destroyer Squadron 23 under Captain Todd Barthold. McClusky embarked on her first deployment on 15 January 1986. She was a part of Battle Group Foxtrot, headed by USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and including USS Truxtun, USS Arkansas, USS O'Brien, USS Reasoner, USS Lewis B. Puller, and USS David R. Ray. The battle group sailed directly for the Indian Ocean, with stops in Hawaii, Naval Station Subic Bay, and Singapore.

In 1988 McClusky began the year as part of Joint Task Force Middle East carrying out Operation Earnest Will missions. She participated in Exercise RIMPAC that year as part of the Orange Force.

In 1990 McClusky was part of Destroyer Squadron 13. She began the year at Mina Sulman, Bahrain, on a Middle East Force deployment. On 3 January, she was underway for a Northern Persian Gulf patrol, which included a refueling stop at anchorage in Kuwait on 10 January Upon returning to Mina Sulman on 13 January for the final time, the mastmounted sight was removed. After a short patrol of Northern Persian Gulf, Mcclusky headed south towards the Straits of Hormuz, completing a successful three month assignment to the Middle East Force. On 30 January, Mcclusky anchored alongside USS Rodney M. Davis in Fujayrah for a Middle East Force turnover before meeting up with the USS Gary and transiting to the Western Pacific. A refueling visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka on 1 February proved to be an excellent stop, providing all hands the opportunity to purchase many souvenirs.

From 31 August to 4 September 1990, McClusky had the privilege of hosting the Soviet oiler Argun, visiting San Diego with two Soviet combatants. The arrival of the Admiral Vinogradov, Sovremenny class destroyer Boyevoy, and Argun in San Diego on 31 July 1990 was followed by a ceremony with Admiral Charles R. Larson (Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet) Mayor O'Connor, and Admiral Khvatov (ru:Хватов, Геннадий Александрович), the Commander of the Soviet Pacific Fleet, as speakers.

In 1991 McClusky shifted homeports to Yokosuka, Japan and joined Destroyer Squadron 15. She assisted in Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of civilians from the Philippines during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Important Events

 * 1983 — 10 December, Lieutenant Donald R. Calloway becomes the ship's first Supply Officer.
 * 1986 — Involved in the patrolling of Taiwan International Waters during large scale Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy exercises in the region.
 * 1992 — The ship visited Vladivostok in the Russian Federation, the first ship to do so after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
 * 1996 — After three Persian Gulf Deployments, 15 bilateral exercises and over 40 port visits, McClusky departs Yokosuka for homeport shift back to San Diego.
 * 2000 — First Counter Narcotics Operations — numerous busts and drug seizures
 * 2002 — Counter Drug Operations, and Rescue of Richard Van Pham, Shift ISIC from Destroyer Squadron 7 (DesRon 7) to Destroyer Squadron 1.
 * 2003 — INSURV and Battle “E” Winner — Counter Drug OPS
 * 2011 — Battle “E” Winner(6th award) and NAVSTA San Diego Energy Efficiency Award (FFG Class) winner, commanded by Commander Darren Glaser.
 * Dec 2012 — As of 2012, McClusky was commanded by Commander Murz Morris, and in the later half of the year deployed with Carrier Strike Group One. During the 112th session of Congress, a proposal was made to grant the transfers of the USS McClusky and the USS Curts to the Mexican Navy.
 * McClusky ended a three-month restricted-availability period in January 2013.