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{{short description|Frigate of the US Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin|infobox caption=USS ''Klakring'' (FFG-42)}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS Klakring (FFG 42) in Souda Bay, Greece.jpg|300px|border]]
|Ship caption= USS ''Klakring'' arrives for a brief port visit at [[Souda Bay]] in 2004.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|2006}}
|Ship name=''Klakring''
|Ship namesake= [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[Thomas B. Klakring]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=27 April 1979
|Ship builder=[[Bath Iron Works]], [[Bath, Maine]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=19 February 1982
|Ship launched=18 September 1982
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. Beverly Bohen
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship commissioned=20 August 1983
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=22 March 2013
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=22 March 2013
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=[[Naval Station Mayport|Mayport]], [[Florida]]
|Ship identification=*[[Hull classification symbol#Surface combatant type|Hull symbol]]:FFG-42
*[[International Code of Signals|Code letters]]:NTBK
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Kilo}}
|Ship motto="Freedom Through Vigilance"
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honors=
|Ship fate=
|Ship status=Stricken, to be disposed of
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge= [[File:USS Klakring FFG-42 Crest.png|150px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}}
|Ship type=
|Ship displacement={{OHP frigate displacement}}
|Ship length={{OHP frigate length}}
|Ship beam={{OHP frigate beam}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draft={{OHP frigate draft}}
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion={{OHP frigate propulsion}}
|Ship speed={{OHP frigate speed}}
|Ship range={{OHP frigate range}}
|Ship complement={{OHP frigate complement}}
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors={{OHP frigate sensors}}
|Ship EW=[[AN/SLQ-32]]
|Ship armament={{OHP frigate armament}}
|Ship aircraft=2 × [[SH-60 Seahawk|SH-60 LAMPS III]] helicopters
|Ship aircraft facilities={{OHP frigate aircraft facilities}}
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''USS ''Klakring'' (FFG-42)''', an [[Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate|''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class]] frigate, was a ship of the [[United States Navy]] named for [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[Thomas B. Klakring]] (1904–1975), who was awarded three [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Crosses]] as commander of the [[submarine]] {{USS|Guardfish|SS-217|6}} during [[World War II]].

==Construction and commissioning==
''Klakring'' was laid down on 19 February 1982 by the [[Bath Iron Works]] Corp. [[Bath, Maine]]; [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 18 September 1982; sponsored by Beverly Bohen, niece of Rear Admiral Klakring; and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 20 August 1983 at Bath.<ref name="DANFS">{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/k/klakring-ffg-42-1982-1990.html |title=Klakring (FFG 42), 1982-2013 |first1=Courtney |last1=Frey |first2=Mark L. |last2=Evans |name-list-style=amp |date=28 July 2015 |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>

==Service history==

===1980s===

====1983====
''Klakring'' completed a light-off examination on 8 September 1983, followed on 15 September by her initial crew certification. Prior to leaving for Charleston, South Carolina, ''Klakring'' visited Newport, Rhode Island. The ''Klakring'' crew was able to explore Newport while the [[America's Cup]] battle was underway. Many sailors experienced getting their "land legs" back after their first days at sea. The ship reached her initial home port of [[Charleston, South Carolina]], on 18 September. Family members and friends on the pier displayed homemade banners while they welcomed the ship as she maneuvered up the [[Cooper River (South Carolina)|Cooper River]] on 28 September.<ref name="DANFS" />

The ship sailed for her shakedown cruise to [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean waters]]. She visited [[St. Thomas, Virgin Islands]] (4–7 November 1983), and on 13 November put into [[Guantánamo Bay, Cuba]]. ''Klakring'' sailed on 3 December, carried out a weapons systems accuracy test at [[Port Everglades|Port Everglades, Florida]], and then test-fired torpedoes on the range at [[Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center]] (AUTEC), [[Andros, Bahamas|St. Andros Island]], on 13 December. She returned to Charleston on 16 December.<ref name="DANFS" />

[[File:USS Klakring (FFG-42) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, 28 June 1983 (6405087).jpg|thumb|left|''Klakring'' in June 1983]]

====1984====
''Klakring'' carried out additional training during the New Year 1984, including a visit to [[Nassau, Bahamas]] (27–30 January 1984), a brief stop for fuel in [[Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands|Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands]], and another port visit on 18 February to [[Roosevelt Roads Naval Station|Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico]]. ''Klakring'' completed her [[Shakedown cruise|Post Shakedown Availability]] at Bath (5 April–23 August). The yard work included the installation of fin stabilizers. The ship conducted her [[sea trials]] on 29 September, and on loaded weapons from [[Norfolk, Virginia]], on 7 September. [[Hurricane Diana (1984)|Hurricane Diana]] swept up the East Coast and delayed the frigate's return to Charleston from her scheduled date of 11 to 16 September. The ship completed a variety of training during the succeeding weeks, and escorted the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Nimitz||2}} during mid November.<ref name="DANFS" />

====1985====
''Klakring'' sailed for nearly five weeks of refresher training off Guantánamo Bay on 14 January 1985. On 21 February, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron [[HSM-72|(Light—HSL-42)]] Detachment 3, equipped with a single [[Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk]] Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) Mk III, embarked on board ''Klakring''. The ship began participation in her first major fleet exercise, [[Composite Unit Training Exercise]] (COMTUEX) 2-85, on 22 April 1985. She broke up the training with a three-day visit to [[Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands]], and returned to Charleston on 8 May.<ref name="DANFS" />

The [[destroyer]] {{USS|Comte de Grasse|DD-974|2}} and ''Klakring'' sailed as MEF 3-85 Transit Group for the [[United States Naval Forces Central Command|Middle East Force]] on 7 June 1985. This cruise marked the frigate's first overseas deployment. Comdr. Whalig served as the group's [[officer in tactical command]] (OTC). The two ships fueled and provisioned at [[Ponta Delgada, Azores]], on 13 June, entered the [[United States Sixth Fleet]], and stopped for additional fuel and supplies at [[Naval Station Rota Spain|Rota, Spain]], on 16 June. ''Klakring'' visited [[Palma de Mallorca, Spain]] (18–21 June). The ship then crossed the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] by easterly courses.<ref name="DANFS" />

''Klakring'' passed southbound through the [[Suez Canal]] on 25 and 26 June 1985. As the ship crossed the [[Red Sea]], she began to observe the weekends on Thursdays and Fridays to assimilate crewmen to [[Muslim]] daily routines. ''Klakring'' fueled and provisioned at [[Djibouti]], [[Horn of Africa]], on 30 June. On 1 July, she rendezvoused with [[guided missile destroyer]] {{USS|Charles F. Adams|DDG-2|2}} and exchanged information and equipment. Whalig became Commander Task Unit (CTU) 109.1.2, and oversaw the scheduling of all multi-ship training in the [[Persian Gulf]]. ''Klakring'' sailed through the [[Strait of Hormuz]], and on 7 July rendezvoused with command ship {{USS|La Salle|AGF-3|2}} near [[Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates]] (UAE). The frigate escorted the [[flagship]] to [[Sitra|Sitrah, Bahrain]].<ref name="DANFS" />

During the ship's first two months in the Persian Gulf, visibility averaged barely {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} because of haze, sand, and dust. The daily temperature repeatedly rose to {{convert|117|°F|°C|abbr=on}} with 90% humidity. The frigate's Seahawk flew an average of two sorties per day, and the crew reported that the presence of the strong temperature inversion made radar ranges of 160 nautical miles at altitudes below {{convert|500|ft|m|abbr=on}} common, which extended the helo's patrol coverage of the region.<ref name="DANFS" />

The ship next visited [[Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia]] (14–17 July 1985), briefly patrolled the Persian Gulf, and then completed upkeep at [[Mina Salman]], [[Bahrain]] (22–31 July). On 6 August, ''Klakring'' escorted ''La Salle'', and fueled and provisioned at Sitrah on 20 August. The frigate sailed from the Persian Gulf, and (25–28 August) visited [[Karachi, Pakistan]]. She passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf on 31 August, and completed an additional upkeep at [[Dubai]], UAE (3–10 September). The ship anchored at Sitrah for a Combat Systems Groom (13–15 September). On 20 September, she sailed from the Persian Gulf and trained with the [[Indian Ocean]] [[Carrier battle group|Battle Group]], focusing on aircraft carrier operations, [[anti-air warfare]], [[underway replenishment]], and [[antisubmarine warfare]]. ''Klakring'' returned to the Persian Gulf on 24 September, training along the way with [[French Navy|French]] [[aviso]] [[D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso|''Quartier-Maître Anquetil'']].<ref name="DANFS" />

After topping off her fuel and provisions on 26 October 1985, ''Klakring'' made for Ash Shuaibah, [[Kuwait]], as the flagship for Commander Middle East Force. The ship patrolled the Persian Gulf, and completed upkeep at Mina Salman (30 October–4 November). The guided missile frigate {{USS|Gallery|FFG-26|2}} relieved ''Klakring'' in the Persian Gulf on 6 and 7 November. On 9 November, ''Klakring'' rendezvoused with ''Comte de Grasse'' and the two ships formed a transit group back to the United States. Comdr. Wahlig again served as OTC for the group.<ref name="DANFS" />

''Klakring'' fueled and provisioned at [[Djibouti (city)|Djibouti]] on 11 November 1985, and continued northward across the Red Sea, returning to the standard workweek when she reached the southern entrance to the Suez Canal on 15 November. The following day, both ships transited the canal northbound, and visited [[Málaga, Spain]] (20–23 November). On 24 November, ''Klakring'' fueled and provisioned at Rota on 24 November, and that same afternoon entered the [[United States Second Fleet|Second Fleet]]. The frigate celebrated [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] in [[Ponta Delgada (Azores)|Ponta Delgada]], and returned to Charleston on 6 December 1985. On 12 December, Comdr. James M. Coon relieved Comdr. Wahlig as the commanding officer.<ref name="DANFS" />

====1986====
The ship accomplished Combined at Sea Operations (CASTOPS) 2-86 (3–15 February 1986), including a visit to Nassau in the Bahamas (8–11 February). ''Klakring'' underwent an Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) from 26 to 28 April, 1 and 2 May, and 29 and 30 May. The ship visited [[Savannah, Georgia]], on 27 and 28 June. ''Klakring'' trained with ''Nimitz'' from 8 to 17 July 1986, including a visit to Port Everglades (11–14 July). On 31 July and 1 August, the ship conducted special projects for the [[Chief of Naval Operations]] (CNO).<ref name="DANFS" />

Following her CNO project and a visit to [[Dodge Island|Dodge Island Terminal]], [[Miami|Miami, Florida]] (8–10 September) ''Klakring'' held a Tiger Cruise for her crew's dependents, on 11 September 1986. While the ship sailed to the operating area, she received a distress call from ''King Fisher II'', a small [[fishing boat]] from Charleston. ''Klakring'' proceeded at full speed to ''King Fisher II'', and the ship transferred her emergency party via small boat to render assistance. The frigate returned to port on 12 September. On 29 September she off loaded her weapons at the [[Naval Weapons Station Charleston]], and completed her first Selective Restricted Availability (SRA-1) from 30 September to 5 December. On 12 December, ''Klakring'' on loaded her weapons from the Naval Weapons Station, and carried out her [[sea trials]] (15–18 December).<ref name="DANFS" />

====1987====
{{Main|Iran–Iraq War|Operation Earnest Will}}
''Klakring'' completed a number of training exercises during the New Year, including Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 1-87 and a War at Sea scenario (10–27 February 1987), and Solid Shield 87, FLEETEX 2-87, and another War at Sea scenario from 30 April to 10 May. ''Klakring'' deployed from Charleston for the [[Middle East]] on 6 June 1987. On 8 June she rendezvoused with the other ships of her transit group, and refueled at Rota on 15 June. The frigate visited [[Taormina]], [[Sicily]] (19–21 June). She passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on 24 June, and on 29 June refueled at Djibouti.<ref name="DANFS" />

The ship supported [[Operation Earnest Will]]. The [[Iran]]ians and [[Iraq]]is escalated their attacks against ships sailing in the Persian Gulf during the [[Iran–Iraq War]], and the U.S. launched Earnest Will to maintain [[freedom of navigation]] in the area. The Americans initially renamed and reflagged eleven Kuwaiti tankers. ''Klakring'' patrolled the Persian Gulf between [[Radar Picket]] Stations North and South. The ship repeatedly passed outbound through the Strait of Hormuz to refuel from [[underway replenishment ship]]s, and then returned to the Persian Gulf. On 10 August, ''Klakring'' embarked a detachment of Army helicopters and helped coordinate the efforts of British tugs converted for [[Mine sweeping#Mine sweeping|mine sweeping]]. ''Klakring'' escorted {{SS|Bridgeton||2}}—reflagged tanker ''Al Rekkah''—outbound through the Strait of Hormuz on 30 August. The Iranians mined ''Bridgeton'' on 24 July, but the tanker survived.<ref name="DANFS" />

The frigate rendezvoused with cargo ship {{USNS|Courier|T-AK-5019|2}} and steamship ''President Pierce'' and escorted them to [[Fujairah]] (2 and 3 September 1987). On 3 September, she escorted tanker {{USNS|Sealift Mediterranean|T-AO-173|2}} to Bahrain. ''Klakring'' escorted tanker {{USNS|Sealift Pacific|T-AO-168|2}} through the Strait of Hormuz on 1 October. ''Klakring'' passed outbound through the Strait of Hormuz and anchored at Fujairah on 24 October. The guided missile frigate {{USS|Carr|FFG-52|2}} relieved ''Klakring'' on 26 October. The frigate refueled at Djibouti on 29 October, visited [[Jeddah, Saudi Arabia]] (1–4 November), passed northbound through the Suez Canal on 7 November, and (12–16 November) visited [[Saint-Raphaël, Var|Saint Raphael, France]]. The ship put into [[Palma, Majorca|Palma de Mallorca]] (17–21 November), on 22 November refueled at Rota, refueled again at Ponta Delgada on 26 November, and returned to Charleston on 4 December.<ref name="DANFS" />

[[File:USS Klakring (FFG-42) launches BQM-74E drone in the Pacific Ocean on 5 July 2002 (6612351).jpg|thumb|''Klakring'' launches a drone in July 2002 as part of an exercise]]

''Klakring'' participated in [[Operation Earnest Will]] in the Persian Gulf in 1987 as the first air-capable, air-embarked ship.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} The frigate participated in [[Operation Prime Chance]] in the Persian Gulf during the "[[Iran-Iraq War#Attacks on shipping|Tanker War]]".{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

====1988====
CMDR Dennis J. Van Buskirk relieved CMDR Coon as the commanding officer on 22 January 1988. ''Klakring'' completed repairs in drydock at [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville Shipyards, Florida]] (1–22 February). The ship accomplished Interim Readiness Training with Task Group (TG) 43.2 at Guantánamo Bay (21 March–13 April). A variety of training exercises followed, broken by a visit to [[Ft. Lauderdale, Florida]] (8–13 May). She carried out further training, refueled at Roosevelt Roads on 18 May, visited St. Thomas (18–21 May), and on 27 May returned to Charleston. ''Klakring'' loaded a [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] [[Rigid-hulled inflatable boat|Rigid Inflatable Boat]] in preparation for her Caribbean Law Enforcement Operations (CDOPs) on 13 June 1988, setting sail the following day. The ship embarked a helicopter detachment at [[Naval Station Mayport|Mayport, Florida]], on 18 June, and the following day the remaining Coast Guardsmen and their equipment boarded at Miami. ''Klakring'' participated in CDOPs (22 June–8 July), and returned to Charleston on 13 July.<ref name="DANFS" />

The ship took part in Middle East Force Exercise (MEFEX) 1-89 with destroyer {{USS|O'Bannon|DD-987|2}} and guided missile frigates {{USS|De Wert|FFG-45|2}} and {{USS|Hawes|FFG-53|2}} in the Caribbean (12–28 October 1988). On 19 October, ''Klakring'' and ''De Wert'' anchored off [[Vieques Island]], Puerto Rico, for drills with a [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Team]]. ''Klakring'' also conducted flight operations with [[United States Army Aviation Branch|Army]] helicopters on 27 October.<ref name="DANFS" />

====1989====
''Klakring'' began her duties as host ship for the [[West Germany|West German]] frigate {{ship|German frigate|Rheinland-Pfalz|F209|2}} on 14 March 1989.<ref name="DANFS" />

''Klakring'' took part in FLEETEX 3-89 (13–28 April).<ref name="DANFS" />

''Klakring'' deployed as part of MED 3-89 on 31 May 1989. The group comprised aircraft carrier {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|2}}, guided missile [[cruiser]]s {{USS|Mississippi|CGN-40|2}}, {{USS|San Jacinto|CG-56|2}}, and {{USS|Thomas S. Gates|CG-51|2}}, guided missile destroyer {{USS|John King|DDG-3|2}}, [[Guided missile frigate#Guided-missile role|guided missile frigate]] {{USS|Kauffman|FFG-59|2}}, frigates {{USS|Ainsworth|FF-1090|2}} and {{USS|Aylwin|FF-1081|2}}, [[amphibious assault ship]] {{USS|Nassau|LHA-4|2}}, amphibious transport dock {{USS|Shreveport|LPD-12|2}}, tank landing ship {{USS|Barnstable County|LST-1197|2}}, oiler {{USS|Monongahela|AO-178|2}}, ammunition ship {{USS|Butte|AE-27|2}}, and destroyer tender {{USS|Shenandoah|AD-44|2}}.<ref name="DANFS" />

While ''Klakring'' passed through the Strait of Gibraltar at 0400 on 11 June, she launched her helo in 44 knot winds. The ship relieved ''Charles F. Adams'' on 14 June. In company with ''San Jacinto'' she passed northbound through the Dardanelles and Bosporus on 18 June, and visited Constanta, Romania (19–22 June). Comdr. Van Buskirk and Capt. H. Ward Clark, the Commanding Office of ''San Jacinto'', were flown to [[Bucharest]] to meet with Romanian defense leaders.<ref name="DANFS" />

''Klakring'' returned through the Bosporus and anchored at [[Istanbul]], Turkey, on 23 June. On 27 June, she sailed southbound through the Dardanelles, and completed an intermediate maintenance availability with Haifa Shipyard, Ltd., [[Haifa]], Israel, from 30 June to 10 July. Following her maintenance, she took part in Noble Dina 3, a joint US-Israeli naval exercise (10–13 July). She visited [[Alexandria]], Egypt (19–24 July), and returned to Haifa (28–31 July). Rear Adm. Richard C. Macke, Commander Carrier Group 2, boarded the ship before her departure.<ref name="DANFS" />

The frigate set a course for [[La Palma|Palma]], Spain, but on 1 August 1989, Arab terrorists in [[Beirut]] hanged Lt. Col. William R. Higgins, USMC, a member of the UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, and threatened to murder additional hostages they held. ''Klakring'' steamed to Alexandria, where Admiral Macke boarded ''Coral Sea'', and the carrier made for the Eastern Mediterranean as a show of force. ''Klakring'' spent August off the Lebanese coast on contingency operations.<ref name="DANFS" />

''Mississippi'', ''Kauffman'', and ''Klakring'' visited Marseille, France (4–13 September 1989). ''Klakring'' participated in Display Determination, a multi-national exercise involving U.S., Italian, Spanish, and Turkish forces, across the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas (13 September–2 October). During the exercise, ''Klakring'' received word that [[Hurricane Hugo]] devastated Charleston. The Wives Support Group and the ship's Ombudsman, Janice Moore, confirmed that none of the crewmen's dependents sustained serious injuries. The ship took part in the 39th activation of Naval on Call Forces, Mediterranean, at Ancona, Italy (9–14 October 1989), and in the seaward exercise of the commemoration, Deterrent Force 2-89 (14–19 October). ''Klakring'' operated with British destroyer {{HMS|Coventry|D118|2}} and fast fleet tanker {{ship|RFA|Olmeda|A124|2}}, {{ship|Spanish corvette|Descubierta|F31|2|up=yes}}, {{ship|Greek frigate|Elli|F450|2|up=yes}}, {{ship|Italian frigate|Euro|F 575|2|up=yes}}, {{ship|Turkish destroyer|Kılıç Ali Paşa|D-349|2|up=yes}}, and West German destroyer {{ship|German destroyer|Schleswig-Holstein|D182|2}}. The exercise concluded with a briefing in Augusta Bay, Sicily. The frigate {{USS|Bowen|FF-1079|2}} relieved ''Klakring'' at [[Alicante]], Spain, on 27 October. Three days later, ''Klakring'' put to sea and on 10 November she returned to Charleston.<ref name="DANFS" />

===1990s===

====1990====
''Klakring'' began 1990 in [[Port of Charleston]], South Carolina, after returning from a Mediterranean cruise in November.

In January, ''Klakring'' spent most of her time in the Charleston and Jacksonville OPAREA's conducting exercises. After completing a combat Systems Assessment on 10 January, the ship arrived in Port Everglades, Florida on 13 January for a five-day port visit. While transiting back to Charleston, the ship encountered extremely rough weather with high winds and heavy seas. The Commanding Officer made the decision to enter port at night due to heavy weather, and the crew successfully conducted a difficult navigation detail in the Cooper River and returned ''Klakring'' to homeport during the stormy night.

The last two weeks of February were spent preparing for Type Commander's Core Training (TCCT) 2-90 and conducting deck landing qualifications with [[HSM-46|Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light FORTY SIX]] in the Jacksonville OPAREA. On 22 February, the ship rendezvoused with the frigate {{USS|Truett|FF-1095|2}} and submarine {{USS|San Juan|SSN-751|2}} just east of the Bahamas. ''Klakring'' arrived in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico on 26 February, onloaded exercise torpedoes, and was underway to the Puerto Rico OPAREA to begin TCCT 2-90.

During TCCT 2-90, the ship participated in numerous tracking and gunnery exercises, underway refuelings, highline transfers, and anti-submarine warfare evolutions. In addition, ''Klakring'' was selected to conduct two live missile firings along with the cruiser {{USS|Mississippi|CGN-40|2}}. Only one of the two missiles engaged the target due to a missile failure on the first missile fired. The event was significant in providing critical data needed in the performance evaluation of one of the Navy's primary weapons.

The month of March consisted of an Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) and a Change of Command Ceremony. The two-day engineering inspection was completed on 23 March. On 30 March, CDR Larry J. Carter relieved CDR Dennis J. Van Buskirk as the fourth Commanding Officer of the frigate.

On 5 April, the ship began its preliminary preparations for its scheduled Dry-Docking Selective Restricted Availability (DSRA) with an offload of ammunition and weapons at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station. ''Klakring''{{'}}s non-essential ammunition being transferred to the frigate {{USS|Fahrion|FFG-22|2}}.

On 14 May, the ship was underway en route to Mayport Naval Station, Florida to make final preparations to enter the shipyard. All hands participated in an Integrated Logistics Overhaul offload of all shipboard parts and supplies completed on 16 May, and on 23 May, ''Klakring'' was dry-docked at Atlantic Dry Dock facility to begin the DSRA. The entire crew was moved into the Jacksonville Airport Days Inn Motel and would reside there for a period of 74 days.

In early August, the crew moved out of the Days Inn Motel and returned to shipboard living. On 27 August, installation of the SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar System began.

''Klakring'' started the month of September preparing for the most important of a continued series of inspections: the Propulsion Examination Board Light-Off Examination (LOE). LOE commenced on 10 September and on 12 September she was "certified to steam." The end of the overhaul period was drawing near, and on 14 September the ship was underway for the final phase: the post-DSRA sea trials. All systems proved reliable and ''Klakring'' was delivered on 17 September, thirty-one days ahead of schedule and under budget. The ship would remain at the Mayport Naval Station for another month.

On 25 October, the ship got underway from Mayport and arrived at homeport Charleston one day later. Upon arrival, there was a Welcome Home Party held on board for all the families and friends of the crew.

''Klakring'' was scheduled to participate in Caribbean Law Enforcement Operations in November, but a post overhaul hull inspection brought about a change in plans. After careful examination of videos of an underwater hull inspect:ion, it was determined that the ship's hull would have to be repainted. ''Klakring'' was dry-docked from 7–21 November at the Charleston Naval Shipyard to undergo the necessary repairs. The ship successfully received full aviation certification on 27 November, and began final preparations for a [[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]] Missile Tactical Qualification.

On 5 December, the ship was underway to embark HSL-48's Lamps MK III crew to participate in Destroyer Squadron Six "Operation Greyhound" for two days, fine tuning the skills of ship maneuvering and communications. In addition, ''Klakring'' turned north on 7 December en route to the Boston OPAREA to conduct at sea evaluations of the Navy's new [[Mark 50 torpedo|Mk 50]] Torpedo. Assisting aircraft were able to fire weapons, but continuously adverse weather conditions prevented ''Klakring'' and HSL-48 from doing so. The ship returned to Charleston on 19 December and began another extensive inspection the following day. The ship's Training Readiness Evaluation was completed on 21 December and the holiday stand down period began with a children's Christmas party held on board.

USS ''Klakring'' ended 1990 in port at Charleston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-42/1990.pdf |title=Command History of USS Klakring (FFG 42) from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1990 |date=April 1991 |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225728/http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/k/ffg-42/1990.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

====1991====
November, the day after Thanksgiving, the ship went underway for a six-month cruise to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield. The ship conducted exercises in the Mediterranean with an eight-day stop in Haifa, Israel, before entering the Suez Canal.

===2000s===
From August to November 2000, USS ''Klakring'' (FFG-42) participated in UNITAS 41, conducting exercises with Latin American partner navies and circumnavigating South America.

===2010s===

From 2001, ''Klakring'' was homeported at [[Naval Station Mayport|NAVSTA Mayport]], [[Florida]], and was part of [[Destroyer Squadron 14]]. In March 2008 and 2009, the ship was the subject of protests from pro-Russian activists in [[Sevastopol]], Ukraine, when it visited the port for five-day "friendly" visits.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/us-frigates-friendly-visit-gets-a-furious-reception-h97gnrqtmnv |title=US Frigate's 'Friendly Visit' Gets A Furious Reception |date=26 March 2009 |work=[[The Times]]}}</ref>

''Klakring'' was decommissioned on 22 March 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/03/navy-11-ships-to-be-decommissioned-in-fiscal-2013-031412w/ |title=11 ships to be decommissioned in fiscal 2013 |last=Klimas |first=Jacqueline |work=Navy Times |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>

== Awards ==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016), 1st award.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global_War_on_Terrorism_Expeditionary_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global_War_on_Terrorism_Service_ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=7|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=10|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Special Operations Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ribbon (Article 5).svg|width=106}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="3"|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|-
||[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
|[[Navy E Ribbon]] 2nd award
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/1 star
|-
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] w/2 stars
|[[Southwest Asia Service Medal]] w/1 star
|[[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]]
|-
|[[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]]
|[[Armed Forces Service Medal]] w/7 stars
|[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]] w/20 stars
|-
|[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Reserve Sea Service Ribbon]] w/3 stars
|[[Special Operations Service Ribbon|Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon]] w/1 star
|[[NATO Medal|NATO Service (Iraq-Afghanistan-Sudan)]]
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/k/klakring-ffg-42-1982-1990.html}} (1982-1990)
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/k/klakring-ffg-42-1982-1990/klakring-ffg-42-1991-1994.html}} (1991-1994)
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/k/klakring-ffg-42-1982-1990/klakring-ffg-42-1995-2003.html}} (1995-2003)
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/k/klakring-ffg-42-1982-1990/klakring-ffg-42-2004-2013.html}} (2004-2013)
*{{Naval Vessel Register|hull=FFG-42}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|USS Klakring (FFG-42)|USS ''Klakring'' (FFG-42)}}
* {{Official website|http://www.klakring.navy.mil/|USS ''Klakring'' official website}}
*{{navsource|07/0742|USS Klakring(FFG-42)}}
*[http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG42.HTM USS ''Klakring''] at navysite.de
*[http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/klakring_ffg42_page_1.htm USS ''Klakring'' FFG-42 pages] at MaritimeQuest
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/g/ffg42.htm USS ''Klakring'' command histories]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} at the [[Naval History & Heritage Command]]

{{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Klakring (FFG-42)}}
[[Category:1982 ships]]
[[Category:Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bath, Maine]]
[[Category:Cold War frigates and destroyer escorts of the United States]]

USS Klakring - Revision history

2603:8000:D400:C2:4891:F3AC:173:580B at 21:31, 23 October 2025