USS Vandegrift (FFG 48), named for Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, U.S. Marine Corps, was built at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and was commissioned on November 24, 1984.

January 5, 1987 USS Vandegrift departed for maiden, around-the-world cruise, deployment. The guided-missile frigate conducted operations with USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Port visits included Pearl Harbor; Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines; Karachi, Pakistan; Mombasa, Kenya; Maxime, France; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and St. Croix and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Vandegrift returned to Long Beach in June.

USS Vandegrift second six-month deployment began in June 1988, returning it to operations in the Arabian Gulf shortly after the cease-fire between Iran and Iraq. Her mission, while on patrol in the northern Arabian Gulf, focused on providing protection and logistic support for joint forces in the area. She also participated in numerous Earnest Will missions, escorting U.S. and reflagged Kuwaiti tankers. Port visits included Pearl Harbor; Subic Bay, Philippines; Bahrain; Pattaya Beach, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The ship's third deployment to the Arabian Gulf began in March 1990. FFG 48 patrolled the Northern Arabian Gulf and conducted Earnest Will escort missions. As the senior ship on station in the Arabian Gulf during the invasion of Kuwait, the ship served as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander and Electronic Warfare Coordinator. It participated in Operation Desert Shield's and Maritime Interception Operations with units from United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and France. Ports of call included Pearl Harbor; Subic Bay; Phuket, Thailand; Singapore and Hong Kong. The guided-missile frigate returned to homeport in October.

April 22, 1992 USS Vandegrift departed for its fourth six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf. She participated in exercises with India, Qatar and Pakistan, helping to strenghten U.S. relations in that area. Ports of call included Doha, Qatar; Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Karachi, Pakistan; Phuket, Thailand; Goa, India; Bahrain; Hong Kong; Singapore and Guam.

April 25, 1995 FFG 48 returned to Naval Station San Diego after a six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf. Vandegrift's mission was the enforcement of U.N. sanctions against Iraq in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Ports of call included Sasebo, Japan; Subic Bay, Philippines; Jebel Ali, U.A.E.; Bahrain; Singapore and Hong Kong.

January 29, 2003 USS Vandegrift departed Yokosuka for a scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

June 4, The guided-missile frigate is currently in the Red Sea, in the Gulf of Aqaba, providing support for the President’s visit to Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan, for summits with Arab leaders.

June 19, FFG 48 pulled into Chocin, India, for a three-day port visit.

July 26, USS Vandegrift, commanded by Cmdr. Richard A. Rogers, returned to homeport after a six-month underway period in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

September 26, USS Vandegrift departed Zhanjiang, China, after a five-day port visit, completing the first U.S. Navy ship visit here to the People’s Republic of China navy’s South Sea Fleet (SSF) headquarters.

November 9, The forward deployed guided-missile frigate participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Russian Federation navy ships, Pechenga (AOR) and Marshal Shaposhnikov (DD 543), in the Pacific Ocean.

November 19, USS Vandegrift arrived in Saigon, the central district of Ho Chi Minh City, for a four-day port visit. This milestone event marked the first time a U.S. Navy ship has visited Vietnam since 1973.

May 19, 2004 FFG 48 anchored off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, for two days in support of the United States' ongoing commitment to the world's newest democracy and its Independence Day.

June 25, The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate departed Yokosuka and head to Tokyo for a Friends and Family Cruise.

September 17, Cmdr. David Chase relieved Cmdr. Richard Rogers as commanding officer of the USS Vandegrift during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

November 24, USS Vandegrift participated in ANNUALEX exercise with elements of the Japan Martime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Nov. 10-19, and the ship's flight crew was up for the task. She was one of 18 U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships participating in ANNUALEX.

February 22, 2005 The guided-missile frigate pulled into Hong Kong for a scheduled port call.

March 29, USS Vandegrift returned to its forward deployed operating base, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, after completing its Spring Patrol. It participated in the annual combined and joint operational exercise Foal Eagle, with the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group.

May 19, The Vandegrift and the Australian ship HMAS Canberra (FFG 02) completed combined operations, while transiting through the Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean. The two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, both constructed in Todd Shipyard, Seattle, conducted a week of training in anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-surface warfare, as well as basic seamanship and ship handling.

July 5, FFG 48 departed Brisbane, Australia, after a four-day port visit, following the ship’s participation in exercise Talisman Saber 2005. USS Vandegrift operated for three weeks with other units from the U.S. and Australian armed services in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area near the Great Barrier Reef. Brisbane was frigate ’s third port visit and second in Australia since departing Japan in May.

August 20, USS Vandegrift returned to Yokosuka aftre a nearly three-month deployment in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR), participating in exercises Talisman Sabre and JASEX 2005.

April 19, 2006 The guided-missile frigate departed homeport for a routine underway period.

June 20, The Vandegrift is currently participating in Exercise Valiant Shield '06 off the coast of Guam June 19-23. The exercise will involve more than 20,000 Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Valiant Shield 2006 will also see more than 300 aircraft and 28 ships from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Groups, as well as the Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

September 1, USS Vandegrift arrived at its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego, Calif., after an 18-day transit from Yokosuka, Japan.

June 7, 2007 USS Vandegrift pulled into Portland, Ore., for a three-day port visit to participate in the Fleet Week festivities during the 100th annual Portland Rose Festival.

October 10, The guided-missile frigate recently visited San Francisco for the 27th annual Fleet Week celebration.

July 3, 2008 USS Vandegrift returned to homeport after completing a scheduled six-month deployment.

October 7, Business and government leaders from southern California spent a day at sea aboard the Vandegrift, commanded by Cmdr. Dean Rawls, as part of the Naval Surface Forces Leaders to Sea (LTS) program.

April 12, 2010 USS Vandegrift, commanded by Cmdr. Steven A. Prescott, departed San Diego for a scheduled western Pacific deployment in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2010 exercise. The ship was recently involved in training Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) personnel in integrating S-70 helicopters into the RSN fleet. RSAF pilots made a historic first-ever underway landing of an S-70 aboard the Vandegrift last November.

May 3, FFG 48 pulled into Muara, Brunei, to participate in first phase of the 16th CARAT exercise.

May 13, The Vandegrift arrived in Laem Chabang port for a Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand 2010.

June 6, The guided-missile frigate arrived in Lumut, Malaysia, for the fourth phase of CARAT.

June 17, The CARAT ships recently arrived at Changi Naval Base in Singapore to take part in the annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise.

July 23, USS Vandegrift, along with USS Patriot (MCM 7), arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a four-day port visit to participate in Navy Day celebration.

August 2, FFG 48 arrived in Aomori, Japan, with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer JS Amagiri, as part of joint U.S.-Japan port visits being conducted this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the alliance between the two nations. Underway on Aug. 7; Inport Sasebo, Japan, from Aug. 10-12.

September 3, USS Vandegrift anchored off the coast of Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, along with HMAS Tobruk (L 50), HMAS Labuan (L 128) and HMAS Tarakan (L 129), for a week port call in support of Pacific Partnership mission.

October 12, USS Vandegrift returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet AoR.

April 29, 2011 The Vandegrift, along with USS Curts (FFG 38), pulled into dry-dock at General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard for more than $17 million in repairs and upgrades.

March 30, 2012 The guided-missile frigate departed Pearl Harbor to participate in integrated training exercise "Koa Kai 12-2", off the coast of Hawaii.

May 1, USS Vandegrift departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2012.

May 29, The Vandegrift moored to Jamrud Utara Pier at Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, for a six-day port call to participate in CARAT Indonesia. Pulled again into Tanjung Perak on June 6.

June 14, FFG 48 anchored off the coast of Pulau Pangkor for a scheduled visit to Lumut, Malaysia, to participate in the third phase of CARAT exercise.

June 25, USS Vandegrift departed Changi Naval Base in Singapore after a brief port call for fuel and supplies.

July 1, The Vandegrift moored at Makar wharf in General Santos City to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines, from July 2-10. USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) and USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751) are also participating.

July 15, The guided-missile frigate pulled into Changi Naval Base to participate in CARAT Singapore. Underway for at-sea phase on July 22.

July 27, Cmdr. Joseph R. Darlak relieved Cmdr. Brandon S. Bryan as the 17th CO of FFG 48 during a change-of-command ceremony at Changi Naval Base.

August 27, The Vandegrift arrived in Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, for a three-day port call.

September 20, USS Vandegrift arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a two-day port visit.

September 24, The Vandegrift pulled into Busan Naval Base for a scheduled port visit to the Republic of Korea.

October 7, USS Vandegrift moored at Glen Cruise Terminal in Port Klang, Malaysia, for a four-day visit to Kuala Lumpur. The ship is currently operating as part of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) CSG.

October 21, FFG 48 arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. USNS Safeguard and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) are also participating; Underway for at-sea phase from Oct. 24-25; Inport Sihanoukville again from Oct. 25-26.

November 2, Capt. John L. Schultz, Commander, Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 15 relieved of command Cmdr. Joseph Darlak due to a "loss of confidence after demonstrating poor leadership and failure to ensure the proper conduct of his wardroom officers" during a port visit in Vladivostok. Capt. Schultz also detached the XO, Lt. Cmdr. Ivan A. Jimenez, the chief engineer and the operations officer for "personal conduct involving use of alcohol and not adhering to established liberty policies." Capt. H. Thomas Workman, Deputy Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23 assumed temporary command of the Vandegrift.

November 28, USS Vandegrift returned to San Diego after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

May 31, 2013 Cmdr. Luis Alva relieved Cmdr. Kristin L. Stengel as commanding officer of the Vandegrift.

April 6, 2014 The Vandegrift rescued an American family with a sick infant via the ship's rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), as part of a joint U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and California Air National Guard rescue effort, after their 36-foot sailboat broke down 900 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

April 9, The guided-missile frigate moored at Bravo Pier, Naval Air Station North Island for a brief stop to conduct ammo onload.

May 9, USS Vandegrift, with an embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 49 Det. 3, departed homeport for a scheduled deployment in support of the Counter Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations.

May 13, FFG 48 moored at Cruise Pier in Port of Manzanillo, Mexico, for a three-day port visit.

May 21, The Vandegrift moored at Berth 4 in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, for a brief stop to refuel; Inport Puerto Quetzal again on June 20.

June 25, USS Vandegrift, and its embarked U.S. Coast Guard LEDET 402 team, recently intercepted approximately two tons of cocaine being smuggled aboard two fishing vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

July 11, The guided-missile frigate moored at Berth 1 in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, for a brief port call. Inport Balboa, Panama, from Aug. 1?-17.

September 9, USS Vandegrift recently moored at Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base for a liberty port visit to Panama City.

September 14, The Vandegrift retrieved approximately 750 pounds of cocaine after intercepted a fishing vessel off the coast of Central America; Intercepted a fishing vessel with more than 875 pounds of cocaine on Sept. 27.

October 8, Capt. Paul H. Hogue, Jr., Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, relieved of his duty Cmdr. Luis Alva due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." Capt. Thomas R. Williams, deputy commodore of DESRON 23, assumed temporary command of the Vandegrift.

October 27, The Vandegrift retrieved more than 1000 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a "go-fast" speed boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Overall, the ship has disrupted 9,800 pounds of cocaine shipments on the Central American coast as part of Operation Martillo.

November 14, The guided-missile frigate disrupted nearly 2000 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a small vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

November 20, USS Vandegrift intercepted nearly 2000 pounds of cocaine being smuggled in a small vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Inport Balboa again in late November.

December 2, FFG 48 retrieved approximately 1700 pounds of cocaine found adrift in a known drug-trafficking area.

December 12, USS Vandegrift, commanded by Cmdr. Kevin W. Ralston, returned to San Diego after a seven-month deployment.

February 19, 2015 The Vandegrift held a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego after more than 30 years of active service. The ship will be offered for foreign military sale.

March 31, USS Vandegrift was officially decommissioned and stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register.

April 21, The ex-USS Vandegrift departed San Diego under tow by tugboat "David Brusco" for a 13-day transit to Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

June 17, 2022 The ex-USS Vandegrift was sunk during a sinking exercise (SINKEX), as part of a biennial training exercise Valiant Shield 2022, northeast of Guam.