USS Thach
Template:Short description Template:DMCA Script error: No such module "Infobox ship".
USS Thach (FFG-43), an Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:WPSHIPS utilities/data' not found., was the only ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral John Thach, a Naval Aviator during World War II, who invented the Thach Weave dogfighting tactic.
Construction and design
Thach was laid down on 6 March 1981 by the Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California; launched on 18 December 1982; sponsored by Mrs. Madalyn J. Thach, widow of the namesake; and commissioned on 17 March 1984 at Long Beach.[1][2]
ThachTemplate:'s mission was 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 remained focused on the ability to project power from the sea in the critical littoral regions for the world.[3]
Success in the warfare environment of the 1990s and beyond required thorough evaluation, rapid decision-making and almost instantaneous response to any postulated threat. The systems aboard Thach were 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 brought 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.[3]
In addition, computers controlled and monitored the gas turbine engines (the same engines installed on DC-10 aircraft) and electrical generators. Digital electronic logic circuits and remotely operated valves were monitored in Central Control Station which initiated engine start and resulted in a "ready to go" status in less than ten minutes.[3]
Service history
_battle_group_with_Australian_ships_1986.JPEG)
In 1986, the ship, part of Destroyer Squadron 21, deployed to the Western Pacific as part of a battleship battle group led by Template:USS.[4]
Thach was the command ship of Operation Nimble Archer, the 19 October 1987 attack on two Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf by United States Navy forces. The attack was a response to Iran's missile attack three days earlier on Template:MV, a reflagged Kuwaiti oil tanker at anchor off Kuwait. The action occurred during Operation Earnest Will, the effort to protect Kuwaiti shipping amid the Iran–Iraq War.
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.[citation needed]
Fate
Thach was decommissioned at Naval Base San Diego on 1 November 2013. The ship was homeported in San Diego and was part of Destroyer Squadron 23.[5] She was sunk on July 14, 2016, during the major naval exercise RIMPAC 2016.[6]
Crest
Like all heraldic Navy insignias, Thach's crest has special meaning. The blue and gold colors are traditionally associated with the Navy; blue for the sea and gold for excellence. The pair of wings in the upper crest refers to Admiral Thach's contributions to naval aviation as a pilot and leader. One of the contributions to naval aviation as a pilot and leader was his invention of the "Thach Weave," symbolized by the interlaced silver chevrons. This two-plane fighter tactic, used to cover each other from enemy fighters, is still used by fighter aircraft today.[3]
The three-pronged trident is shown pointing down from the sky, symbolizing naval aviation's role of projecting power from the sky and the sea. The three tines of the trident also represent Fighting Squadron Three, the unit Admiral Thach commanded during early Pacific carrier battles in World War II. The cross within its outlined border and the wreath refer to Admiral Thach's first and second awards of the Navy Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.[3]
The anchor in the center of the insignia focused attention on the nautical nature of both Admiral Thach's service to his country. The ship's motto, "Ready and Able", was representative of Admiral Thach's preparation and success.[3]
References
Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Naval Vessel Historical Evaluation USS Thach" (PDF). NAVSEA. 24 March 2014.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Thach Ship History" (PDF). 1984. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."USS Thach". US Navy. 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Thach (FFG 43)". 9 April 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Ryan, MCSC (SW/AW) Donnie W. "USS Thach Decommissioned After 29 years of service". Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.D'Angelo, Chris (28 June 2016). "26 Countries Gather in Hawaii For Massive War Game". MSN. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.- Script error: No such module "Naval Vessel Register".
- This article incorporates public domain material from Script error: No such module "template wrapper".
External links
Page Module:Side box/styles.css has no content.Page Template:Sister project/styles.css has no content.
- Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."USS Thach official website". US Navy. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:WPSHIPS utilities/data' not found.
- navysite.de: USS Thach
- MaritimeQuest USS Thach FFG-43 pages
- Navy.mil March 2006 article on Bahamas goodwill mission
- USS Thach (FFG-43) command histories – Naval History & Heritage Command:
Script error: No such module "Military navigation". Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Navbox/configuration' not found. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Navbox/configuration' not found.
