USS Thach (FFG 43) is the thirty-seventh ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of Guided Missile Frigates. She was commissioned on March 17, 1984.

March 19, 2001 Chief Petty Officer Ronald Hiland was killed when he helped to tie down one of the frigate's SH-60 helicopters during an emergency landing about 9.40 a.m. in the eastern Pacific. Hiland was a supervisor assigned to HSL-49, based at North Island Naval Air Station.

November 2, 2002 USS Thach departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment, with the USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group, in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom. The battle group's preparations for deployment included a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the coast of southern California Oct. 17-29.

Entering the Arabian Gulf Dec. 17, the Thach immediately proved her crew was "ready and able" by performing Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) in support of U.N. sanctions against Iraq.

USS Thach again proved her crew was "ready and able" during a port visit to Bahrain in early January to take part in coalition building in the form of an in port and underway "Sister Ship" exercise with the Royal Bahrain Naval Ship Sabha, the former USS Jack Williams (FFG 24). Following the interaction with the Bahraini Navy, the Thach returned to MIO duties until early February.

In late February, Thach's crew carried out their new task of operating with the Qatar Emiri Navy for Exercise Eastern Sailor 03-2 during a port visit to Doha, Qatar. In addition to coalition building, this exercise provided good training opportunities between the two navies.

March 23, 2003 USS Thach is currently in the Arabian Gulf conducting missions with the Constellation Battle Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.

While in lifeguard station behind Constellation, April 1, the Thach responded to a man overboard on Constellation after a S-3B from VS-38 crashed into the water shortly after landing. Thach's Search and Rescue (SAR) "Surface Rescue Crew of the Year" RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat) crew launched and was in position in minutes. The two pilots were subsequently rescued by an SH-60 helicopter from Constellation. The "Surface Rescue Crew of the Year" was again called into action April 14, when they safely evacuated a Sailor from a U.S. Navy submarine who was in need of medical attention.

After several months and several taskings, Thach's time in the Arabian Gulf came to an end April 17, after transiting out of the Gulf through the Straits of Hormuz.

June 2, USS Thach, commanded by Cmdr. James T. Loeblein, returned to Naval Station San Diego following a successful seven-month deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

October 9, FFG 43 pulled to San Francisco to participate in Fleet Week festivities, Oct. 9-13.

December 6, 2004 USS Thach departed homeport for a six-month deployment, with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Expeditionary Strike Group Five (ESG-5), in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

January 5, 2005 Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) and frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) visited Dili, East Timor, for a scheduled port visit.

March 23, The guided-missile frigate is currently participating in the Exercise Arabian Gauntlet in the Persian Gulf. This is a multi lateral surface, air and mine countermeasure exercise designed to practise Maritime Security Operations with U.S. coalition partners and allies in the region.

June 6, USS Thach returned to homeport after a six-month underway period in support of operations Unified Assistance and Iraqi Freedom.

December 15, 2006 FFG 43 returned to San Diego from a six-month counter narcotics deployment in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. During the underway period, counter narcotic operations resulted in four successful drug busts. A combined total of nearly 23 tons of cocaine, with a street value estimated at $600 million, was seized and 34 drug-traffickers were detained. While deployed, USS Thach visited Panama, Peru, and the Bahamas.

December 10, 2007 USS Thach is currently conducting routine trainings as part of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group, off the coast of southern California.

May 19, 2008 USS Thach, commanded by Cmdr. David W. Haas, departed San Diego for a six-month western Pacific deployment.

July 14, The guided-missile frigate arrived in Shimonoseki, Japan, for a routine port visit.

July 28, FFG 43 pulled to Yokosuka, Japan, for a scheduled port call.

September 8, USS Thach is currently in the North Arabian Sea conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

October 18, The frigate arrived in Goa, India, to participate in Malabar exercise.

November 25, USS Thach returned home after a scheduled underway period with the Reagan CSG.

May 27, 2009 FFG 43 departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment with USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.

June 25, The Thach pulled to Phuket, Thailand, for a five-day port visit.

November 5, USS Thach returned to homeport after a five-month underway period that took the ship through the Suez and Panama Canal. The guided-missile frigate operated in the northern Persian Gulf as part of Task Group Iraqi Maritime, where it assisted in protecting Iraqi oil platforms and conducted counterpiracy and countersmuggling missions. The Thach also visited Saipan, Thailand, Bahrain, Jordan and the Azores.