USS Flatley (FFG 21)

- decommissioned -

USS FLATLEY was the 15^th OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigate. She was homeported in Mayport, FL. After decommissioning the frigate became part of the Turkish Navy on September 4, 1997 and was recommissioned as TCG GEMLIK (F 492).

Honoring the memory of Vice Admiral James H. Flatley, who distinguished himself with extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage during the Battle of the Coral Sea, FLATLEY was constructed by Bath Iron works in Bath, Maine, and commissioned on June 20, 1981. She joined Destroyer Squadron Eight in July 1981, and commenced the rigorous life of an operational unit of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. After completing three deployments and numerous special operations, FLATLEY joined the Naval Reserve Force in November of 1987.

FLATLEY took part in Operation Restore Democracy in July 1994 and transported Haitians to Guantanamo Naval Station. In 1994, the ship spent more time off the coast of Haiti during Operation Support Democracy than any other ship, rescuing more than 1,500 Haitians at sea. In 1995, the ship spent time conducting counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: February 28, 1977
	Keel Laid: November 13, 1979
	Launched: May 15, 1980
	Commissioned: June 20, 1981
	Decommissioned: May 11, 1996
	Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
	Propulsion system: two General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines, two 350 Horsepower Electric Drive Auxiliary Propulsion Units
	Propellers: one
	Blades on each Propeller: five
	Length: 445 feet (133.5 meters)
	Beam: 45 feet (13.5 meters)
	Draft: 24,6 feet (7.5 meters)
	Displacement: 4,100 tons
	Speed: 28+ knots
	Aircraft: one SH-2F (LAMPS 1)
	Armament: one Mk 13 guided missile launcher (36 Standard (MR) and 4 Harpoon missiles), one Mk 75 76mm/62 caliber rapid firing gun, MK 32 ASW torpedo tubes (two triple mounts), one Phalanx CIWS
	Crew: 17 Officers, 198 Enlisted

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS FLATLEY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

Click here to view the list.

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Click here to see which USS FLATLEY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy, and symbolize the sea and excellence. The golden wings represent Vice Admiral James H. Flatley's service as a naval aviator, and the stars allude to his rank. He was awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage" during the Battle of the Coral Sea, symbolized by the cross pattee. The pile represents a formation of attacking airplanes and the barry wavy, an heraldic symbol for water, represents the Navy's sweep across the Pacific, spearheaded by the aircraft carriers.

The Crest:

The red lion, adapted from the Flatley Coat of Arms, is a symbol of strength and courage. He carries a scythe in reference to Admiral Flatley's command of a fighter squadron, the "Grim Reapers," aboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). The crest also symbolizes the essence and capabilities of a FFG, watchful, yet fully-armed.

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Accidents aboard USS FLATLEY:

Date	Where	Events
March 16, 1983	160 miles north of Puerto Rico	USS ANTRIM (FFG 20) collides with USS FLATLEY during training exercises. Both ships received only superficial damage.

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USS FLATLEY Image Gallery:

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