USS Nicholas Deploys

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120125-12
1/25/2012

From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) departed Naval Station Norfolk Jan. 17 for a regularly scheduled deployment to South America after recently completing the Basic Phase training and certification.

Led by Cmdr. Steve F. Fuller, Nicholas is one of four Atlantic-based Oliver Hazard Perry class ships. During the deployment the crew will be joining other U.S. and partner-nation ships in support of Navy Maritime Interception Operations.

In addition, Nicholas will remain ready to provide deterrence, promote peace and security, while preserving freedom of the seas and responding to humanitarian/disaster missions as necessary.

Nicholas has a crew of 223 Sailors and officers, and is named for U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Samuel V. Nicholas who led a small expeditionary force of approximately 234 Marines and 50 Sailors in the capture of Forts Montague and Nassau in the Bahamas, March 3, 1776.

This was the first amphibious operation carried out by the Navy-Marine Corps team. Nicholas is the third ship to carry the name; the first was a Fletcher-class destroyer, commissioned in 1942, as DD-449.