USS Sirocco (PC-6)

USS Sirocco (PC-6) is the sixth Cyclone-class patrol ship of the U.S. Navy. Sirocco was laid down 20 June 1992 by Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, Louisiana and launched 29 May 1993. She was commissioned by the Navy 11 June 1994. She is assigned to Commander FIFTH Fleet through Destroyer Squadron FIFTY and is homeported in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. 7 PC class warships are forward deployed to C5F. PC ships were formerly crewed by one of 13 rotational PC crews and homeported in Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek VA (Virginia Beach, VA, USA). There, under the auspices of Commander, Patrol Coastal Squadron One/Commander, Patrol Coastal Class Squadron the crews trained on five US based PC hulls prior to completing a six month deployment to FIFTH fleet. PC ships such as Sirocco complete a variety of mission sets that has expanded since the transfer of the ships and associated support structures in Naval Surface Warfare. Currently, PC ships deployed in Bahrain primarily conduct Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf with a concentration towards anti-piracy.

In 2009, Sirocco completed phase 1 of a modernization program to extend the useful lives of these hard working ships. Upgrades included new computer systems and satellite communications, as well as upgraded AC systems and a Rafeal Typhoon MK38 MOD II gun weapons system replacing the previously fitted MK96 mount.