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[Lex]

Three frigates, three amphibious ships and one attack sub are among the Navy and Military Sealift Command ships scheduled to leave the fleet over the next year, according to a new message that spells out the names and dates for the Navy’s next inactivations.

The message, dated Wednesday and signed by Vice Adm. John Blake, the Navy’s top requirements officer, details the fates of some familiar names, but leaves the door open for at least one major one: the amphibious assault ship Nassau.

Although the Navy has scheduled to decommission Nassau on March 31, 2011, Blake’s message includes this note: “Service life extension is currently under review. Stakeholders will be advised ... of any decision to extend the ship’s service life.”

Congressional lawmakers have called on the Navy to keep its ships around for as long as possible, and went so far as to mandate in this year’s defense bill that the Nassau and its sibling, Peleliu, must stay in commission at least until the arrival of their replacement America-class gators.

That bill has not yet become law, so Blake’s note seems to indicate the Navy is reserving its options on Nassau in case it must rehabilitate the ship to last until the commissioning of the America, now set for 2012.

In addition to seven Navy warships, the list includes the fate of four MSC support ships. They appear here, with their scheduled inactivation dates and current fates:

FRIGATES
• Hawes: Dec. 10, 2010 — “Will be utilized as a logistic support asset primarily for remaining ships in the FFG 7 class.”
• Jarrett: May 27, 2011 — Set aside for foreign military sale.
• Doyle: July 29, 2011 — Set aside for foreign military sale.

AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCKS
• Dubuqe: April 29, 2011 — Will be kept in a reserve status.
• Cleveland: Sept. 30, 2011 — Will be kept in a reserve status.

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIPS
• Nassau: March 31, 2011 — Commanders are evaluating a life-extension program, and if it’s decommissioned, the ship will be kept in a reserve status.

FAST ATTACK SUBMARINES
• Memphis: March 14, 2011 — Will be dismantled.

TRANSPORT TANKERS
• Samuel L. Cobb: Oct. 30, 2010 — Will be transferred to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
• Richard G. Matthiesen: March 31, 2011 — Will be transferred to MARAD.

AMMUNITION SHIPS
• Kiska: Jan. 14, 2011 — Will be dismantled.
• Shasta: Sept. 30, 2011 — Will be dismantled.

Navy Times,
Posted : Friday Jul 23, 2010 11:24:03 EDT