The USS Cook (FF-1083) was a Knox-class frigate constructed for the United States Navy by Avondale Shipyard in Bridge City, Louisiana. Laid down on March 20, 1970, launched on January 23, 1971, and commissioned on December 18, 1971, the ship was named after Lieutenant Commander Wilmer P. Cook, a USN aviator who was killed during a combat mission over North Vietnam in December 1967. The vessel’s keel was laid with sponsorship from Mrs. Joan C. Nelson, widow of LCDR Cook. Physically, the USS Cook measured 438 feet in length, with a beam of 47 feet and a draft of 25 feet. It displaced approximately 4,066 long tons at full load and was crewed by 13 officers and 211 enlisted personnel. The ship was powered by a single Westinghouse geared steam turbine producing 35,000 shaft horsepower, driving a single propeller, and capable of reaching speeds up to 27 knots. It had a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 20 knots. Armament included a 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun forward, a 3-inch/50-caliber gun aft, and two twin 12.75-inch Mk 32 torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare. The vessel was initially equipped with a DASH drone helicopter, later replaced by a SH-2 Seasprite LAMPS I helicopter, with modifications including an enlarged hangar and landing deck. Some ships also had their 3-inch guns replaced by BPDMS missile launchers in the 1970s. Throughout its service, USS Cook participated in several notable operations. Its first deployment was to Vietnam, where it provided escort and anti-air patrols at Yankee Station and Task Force 78 during Operation End Sweep. In 1975, during its second Vietnam tour, it supported Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind, aiding in the evacuation of South Vietnamese and Cambodian personnel, often allowing helicopters to land on its deck amid crowded conditions. The ship also participated in rescue operations for South Vietnamese navy ships and their crews, escorting and assisting refugees fleeing Saigon. Post-Vietnam, USS Cook was deployed frequently to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf regions, patrolling areas such as Gonzo Station and the Strait of Hormuz, and taking part in Operation Earnest Will. The vessel’s namesake was honored when his remains were repatriated and scattered from her deck in 1989. Decommissioned on April 30, 1992, and struck from the Naval Register in 1995, USS Cook was transferred to Taiwan in 1999, where she served as Hai-Yang (FFG-936). She was retired in May 2015 and ultimately sunk as a target during military exercises in July 2020.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.