Guided-missile frigate USS Gary will decommission on Thursday after more than 30 years of service.
The ship, which returned from its final deployment in April, will be decommissioned at a ceremony on the Naval Base San Diego. The U.S. Navy is in the process of phasing out frigates.
Bronze Star recipient and World War II veteran William R. Albrecht is scheduled to deliver the main address at the ceremony.
During its many deployments, the guided-missile frigate helped target illicit trafficking routes during Operation Martillo, a counter-transnational organized crime mission. The ship helped intercept nearly 14,000 kilograms of cocaine and other drug shipments. Additionally, the ship participated in more than 70 small boat operations.
The ship’s tenure has not been without controversy, however, The ship returned from a tumultuous deployment in April 2013. Cmdr. James "Slim" Pickens was temporarily relieved of duty because of "offensive comments and behavior" while at sea, according to the Navy.
The ship was named after Medal of Honor recipient Cmdr. Donald Arthur Gary when it was commissioned on Nov. 17, 1984.
