The ship and crew were honored for their service and contributions to the Navy over the years.
SAN DIEGO — The USS Fort Worth, a littoral combat ship, was officially decommissioned during a heartfelt ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Wednesday. The ship was honored for its service and contributions to the Navy over the years.
Commanding Officer of the USS Fort Worth expressed the bittersweet nature of the day, stating, “It’s been a privilege to be commanding officer,” U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dana Canby said. The Fort Worth was commissioned in Texas in 2012 and returned to its home port in San Diego in 2016 after its maiden deployment to Southeast Asia, where it participated in joint practices with various navies in the region.
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The ship was notable for being the first to open the Pacific, making historic port visits to Vietnam and undergoing maintenance in Japan and Singapore. Despite facing technical and operational challenges, it served as a test and training platform for thousands of sailors onboard.
“This ship served as a superior investment for the Navy to take lessons and invest in future ships,” Commander Canby said. The decommissioning marked not just an end but a celebration of community and camaraderie, with events organized by the Rough Riders of the USS Fort Worth and the USS Fort Worth Support Committee. The week of festivities included ship tours, a prayer breakfast, an appreciation dinner, and a farewell celebration as the ship rides into the sunset.
The USS Fort Worth will be towed to the Navy’s inactive ship facility in Bremerton Washington, where it will be placed in a dismantle status.