The Navy is holding a decommissioning ceremony for the USS Guardian today in Japan, according to Vice Adm. Tom Copeman, Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
“From detecting her first mine and neutralizing it with the Mine Neutralization System vehicle in June 1991, during times of war and while operating in international exercises for nearly a quarter of a century, the crew and ship remained at the highest levels of readiness, serving our nation well.” said Copeman.
The minesweeper struck an environmentally delicate reef off the Philippines on January 17th and the Navy was forced to cut the ship into pieces to remove her from the reef.
Following her decommissioning, her crew will continue their mission in Sasebo, Japan, aboard USS Warrior (MCM 10).
Extracting stranded USS Guardian from reef may take two months (photos)
Digital chart error may have led to USS Guardian running aground on reef
Admiral apologizes for minesweeper stuck in reef off of Philippines
