USS Ford (FFG 54) is named for Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford (1942–1968). He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism as a patrol river boatman in the Vietnam War. She was launched on June 23, 1984, and commissioned June 29, 1985, Cmdr. J. F. Eckler in command.

October ?, 2001 USS Ford, commanded by Cmdr. David Matawitz, departed Naval Station Everett, for a six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

June 10, 2003 The guided-miisle frigate pulled to Portland, Oregon, to participate in the annual Rose Festival.

April 2004, FFG 54 departed departed homeport for a scheduled deployment, with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

June 16, The Ford is currently in the Gulf of Alaska to participate in the annual Northern Edge air exercise as part of the JCS CSG.

November 5, USS ford returned to Everett after more than a five-month underway period in the western Pacific, Sea of Japan and South China Sea. During deployment, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship took part in exercises Northern Edge 2004, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Joint Air-Sea Exercise (JASEX) and also made various port visits including Banbury, Australia, in October.

November 9, Cmdr. Timothy B. Spratto relieved Cmdr. David A. Schnell as commanding officer of USS Ford, during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Everett.

January 6, 2006 FFG 54 departed homeport for a scheduled deployment to conduct various anti-drug operations in the South American waters.

January 20, The guided-missile frigate rescued two civilian sailors at sea in the early morning hours of Jan. 19 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, off the coast of Mexico.

January 21, USS Ford pulled into Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, for a brief port call.

July 3, USS Ford returned to Naval Station Everett after completing the six-month underway period in the Southern Command Area of Operations.

October 7, USS Ford, commanded by Cmdr. Mike Taylor, entered its nine-week selected restricted availability (SRA) Sept. 22 at Naval Station Everett. The SRA is a scheduled maintenance period designed to complete major overhauls to the ship, which include expanding the armory, a berthing overhaul, replacing cooling units, refurbishing vertical exterior ladders and building a self-service laundry area.

May 4, 2007 USS Ford departed Everett for a scheduled deployment in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.

June 18, FFG 54 arrived in Sattihip for the Thailand phase of CARAT 2007 exercise. The Philippine phase ended June 8.

July 2, The guided-missile frigate pulled to Kemaman, Malaysia, for the third CARAT phase.

August 3, The Ford arrived in Muara, Brunei, for the fifth phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise.

August 17, The ship is currently participating in a weeklong exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) 2007.

September 20, USS Ford returned to homeport after a four-and-a-half-month deployment in support of CARAT exercise.

May 28, 2008 FFG 54 recently arrived in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, for the first phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008.

July 20, USS Ford, USS Tortuga, (LSD 46), USS Jarrett (FFG 33) and USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) arrived in, Surabaya, Indonesia, to participate in a week-long Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) between the U.S. and Indonesian navies.

August 18, The closing ceremony of the 14th CARAT exercise was held in Brunei Aug. 10.

September 28, USS Ford, commanded by Cmdr. John Wilshusen, returned to Everett after a five-month deployment.