USS Thach (FFG-43)

USS Thach (FFG-43), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral John Thach (1905–1981), a Naval Aviator during World War II, who invented the Thach Weave dogfighting tactic.

Thach was laid down on 6 March 1981 by the Todd Pacific Shipyards Co., Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, Ca.; launched on 18 December 1982; and commissioned on 17 March 1984.

In 1986, the ship, part of Destroyer Squadron 21, deployed to the Western Pacific as part of a battleship battle group led by USS New Jersey (BB-62).

Thach's mission is to provide anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine protection for carrier battle groups, naval expeditionary forces, replenishment groups, convoys, and other military and merchant shipping. The new direction for the naval service remains focused on the ability to project power from the sea in the critical littoral regions for the world.

Success in the warfare environment of the 1990s and beyond will require thorough evaluation, rapid decision-making and almost instantaneous response to any postulated threat. The systems aboard Thach have been designed to meet these demanding and dynamic prerequisites, and to do so with minimum human interface. The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk's video data link system brings state-of-the-art computer technology to the warfare arena, as well as integrating sensors and weapons to provide a total offensive and defensive weapons system.

In addition, computers control and monitor the gas turbine engines (the same engines installed on DC-10 aircraft) and electrical generators. Digital electronic logic circuits and remotely-operated valves are monitored in Central Control Station which initiate engine start and result in a "ready to go" status in less than ten minutes.

The heart of the ship, though, is the crew. High technology systems demand skilled technicians and professional leadership to be effective. The concept of "minimum manning" means, simply, that with professional sailors, Thach can meet the challenges of modern naval warfare with approximately half the crew found on other ships comparable size and capability.

In late 2006 while deployed to the Southern Pacific, Thach caught fire as she attempted to put out a fire on a drug smuggling ship.

Cmdr. Steven R. Rasmussen, a 1988 graduate of the Naval Academy who took command of the ship Oct. 6, 2006, was relieved of command on 28 FEbruary 2008 by the commander of Destroyer Squadron 7.

As of 2012, Thach is captained by Commander Hans E. Lynch, homeported at San Diego, California; and is part of Destroyer Squadron 23.