The Guardian (MCM 5) is the fifth Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship and the second United States ship to bear that name. Her kell was laid down on May 8, 1985, by Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; She was christened and launched on June 20, 1987. Mrs. Elizabeth B. O'Neill served as sponsor of the ship. Lt. Cmdr. George J. Smith, Jr., is the prospective commanding officer.

December 16, 1989 USS Guardian was commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Station Newport, R.I.

From March 9-13, 1990, the Guardian was underway for routine training. Underway for a port visit to New Orleans, La., and Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in Panama City, Fla., from May 17 through Aug. 15; Underway for a Shakedown Training at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., from Sept. 28- Oct. 28.

January 4, 1991 The mine countermeasures ship departed homeport for Refresher Training (REFTRA) at the Charleston Op. Area. Inport Naval Station Charleston from Jan. 6-9, 11-14, 19-22, 25-28 and Feb. 1-3; Returend to Newport, Rhode Island, on Feb. 6; Underway for engine testing on Feb. 28; Underway for minehunting exercises on March 18; Inport Port Everglades, Fla., from March 21-27; Arrived in Charleston, S.C., on March 29; Moored at Pier Y, Naval Station Charleston for testing on magnetic signature from April 2-6; Underway at degaussing range from April 6-11; Moored at Pier Y again from April 12-17; Returned home on April 22.

May 1, USS Guardian departed Naval Station Newport for its maiden deployment in support of Operation Desert Storm. Brief stop at Naval Annex, Bermuda, on May 3; Underway under tow with USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) on May 4.

May 17, The Guardian pulled into Malaga, Spain, for a three-day port call. Inport Augusta Bay, Sicily, from May 24-25; Anchored off Port Said, Egypt, to refuel on May 28; Brief stop in Djibouti on June 4 after transiting Suez Canal; Port call to Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., from June 12-13; Mine hunting operations in the North Arabian Gulf from June 18- July 2.

July 2, MCM 5 moored at Mina Salman Pier in Manama, Bahrain, for a four-day port call. Underway for minehunting operations from July 6-19; Port visit to Abu Dhabi from July 22-27; Inport Kuwait City from Aug. 13-15; Port call to Manama from Aug. 17-24; Conducted helo recovery ops. in the NAG through Sept 2; Mine hunting ops. off Kuwait through Sept. 13.

September 14, USS Guardian pulled into Jubail, Saudi Arabia, for a brief port call to refuel before conducting helo search operations at USS Peleliu (LHA 5) anchorage. Inport Manama, Bahrain, from Sept. 18-19; Port call to Abu Dhabi from Sept. 20-23.

September 24, The mine countermeasures ship moored again at Mina Salman Pier in Manama for upkeep. Underway for local operations on Oct. 12.

October 15, Lt. Cmdr. Daine E. Eislod relieved Lt. Cmdr. George J. Smith, Jr., as CO of the Guardian during a crew swap ceremony with the USS Devastator (MCM 6) in Manama, Bahrain.

October 20, USS Guardian departed Manama to locate and mark an AHIPS helicopter and an F/A-18, both downed in the NAG during post war operations.

October 28, The Guardian moored at King Abdul Aziz naval base in Jubail for a brief port call. Mine hunting ops. in the NAG through Nov. 19; Anchored off Kuwait City from Nov. 20-21; Inport Manama from Nov. 22-25.

November 26, MCM 5 pulled into Mina Rashid Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a five-day port visit.

December 2, The Guardian moored outboard the USS Yosemite (AD 19) in Manama, Bahrain, for an 11-day Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV). Inport Al Jubail from Dec. 14-17; Conducted search for a downed Royal Saudi Naval Forces choper from Dec. 17-20; Port call to Abu Dhabi from Dec. 23-29; Inport Manama from Dec. 30- Jan. 4.

From January 5-7, 1992, USS Guardian conducted mine hunting ops. in support of exercise Red Reef III. Brief stop to refuel at Jubail naval base on Jan. 8; Port call to Manama from Jan. 9-13.

January 14, The mine countermeasures ship arrived in Muscat, Oman, for a three-day port visit. Brief stop in Salalah to refuel on Jan. 20; Inport Djibouti, Djibouti, from Jan. 22-23; Anchored off Hurghada, Egypt, from Jan. 27-29; Transited Suez Canal on Jan. 31; Brief stop to refuel in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, on Feb. 3 and Augusta Bay from Feb. 5-6.

February 7, USS Guardian moored outboard the USS Sierra (AD 18) in Naples, Italy, for an eight-day FMAV. Port visit to Nice, France, from Feb. 17-22; Inport Alicante, Spain, from Feb. 25-26.

February 29, MCM 5 pulled into Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a nine-day port call.

March 2, Lt. Cmdr. William S. McGee relieved Lt. Cmdr. Daine E. Eislod as CO of the Guardian.

March 10, USS Guardian arrived in Algercias, Spain, to be drydocked on board the heavy lift vessel Mighty Servant I for a transit back to United States. Underway on March 16.

March 28, The Mighty Servant I anchored in Hampton Roads, Va., marking the end of an 11-month Arabian Gulf deployment.

March 29, USS Guardian undocked and moored at NAB Little Creek, Va., for a brief port call.

April 4, The mine countermeasures ship arrived in Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a three-month availability with SIMA Mayport. Underway for sea trials from July 9-10; Underway again on July 24; Inport Charleston, S.C., for emergent repairs from July 28- Aug. 12; Returned to Mayport on Aug. 13.

August 25, USS Guardian entered the dry-dock at Atlantic Marine shipyard on Fanning Island, Jacksonville, Fla., for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). Departed dry-dock on Oct. 24; Returned to Naval Station Mayport on Nov. 24; Underway for sea trials on Nov. 30; Underway for Type Training from Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 16; Underway again on Jan. 19.

January 22, 1993 The Guardian arrived in Miami, Fla., for a six-day port visit. Returned to Mayport on Jan. 29; Ammo onload at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, South Carolina, from Feb. 9-10; Inport Naval Station Charleston from Feb. 10-12; Moored at Degaussing Facility on Feb. 12; Underway for degaussing runs at Charleston Magnetic Silence Facility Cooper River range on Feb. 19 and 23rd; Returned to Naval Station Mayport on Feb. 26; Underway for local operations on March 22; Departed Mayport on March 26; Inport Key West, Fla., to refuel from March 28-30.

April 3, USS Guardian arrived for the first time at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas.

From May 12-14, MCM 5 was underway for Independent Steaming Exercises (ISE) in the Corpus Christi Op. Area. Underway again from May 29- June 1, June 10, and 11th; Underway for Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) on June 16; Underway en route Mayport on June 18; Inport Naval Station Mayport from June 24 through July 18 for maintenance and degaussing preparations; Inport Little Creek, Va., from July 22-23 to offload magnetic material.

From July 23-26, the Guardian counducted magnetic deprming at Lambert's Point in Norfolk, Va. Returned to NAB Little Creek each evening; Underway en route Mayport on July 27; Inport Naval Station Mayport from July 31- Aug. 3; Brief stop at NAS Key West to refuel from Aug. 5-6.

August 11, USS Guardian arrived in its new homeport of Ingleside, Texas. Underway for Mine Countermeasures (MCM) training from Aug. 24-25 and Aug. 31.

September 3, Lt. Cmdr. Jeffery S. Jones relieved Lt. Cmdr. William S. McGee as the 3rd CO of USS Guardian.

From September 7-11, the Guardian was underway for MCM training in the Corpus Christi OPAREA. Returned every evening to Naval Station; Underway for maintenance checks on Sept. 15; Underway for MCM training on Sept. 24, 25 and 28th; Underway for MCM training for most of the October and Nov. 1-5; Underway for Mine Readiness Certification Inspection (MRCI) from Nov. 9-12 and 16-17th.

In 1994, during a routine deployment to the western Pacific in company with USS Patriot (MCM 7) to participate in regular fleet exercises, the Guardian and Patriot were called upon to continue westward to their forward-deployed base of operations, Sasebo, Japan. In August 1994, mine countermeasures rotation crews were formed to man this ships for periods of six months. These crews trained at Ingleside in other ships of the Avenger-class and then deployed to Sasebo for rotation.

September 25, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas J. Strei, Jr., relieved Lt. Cmdr. Jeffery S. Jones as commanding officer of the MCM 5 (Golf Crew).

January 2, 1995 USS Guardian moored at Army Pier in White Beach Naval Facility for a two-day port call before participating in MCMEX 95-2J off Okinawa, Japan.

January 16, The Guardian moored at Navy Pier in Inchon, Republic of Korea, for a three-day port call before conducting mine warfare operations. Inport Inchon agin from Jan. 21- Feb. 2; Returned to Naval Base Sasebo for upkeep on Feb. 4; underway for local operations from Feb. 14-25; Port visit to Saiki, Japan, from Feb. 26-28; Inport Yokohama from March 1-3.

March 4, Lt. Cmdr. Terry T. Miller relieved Lt. Cmdr. Thomas J. Strei, Jr., as CO of the Guardian (Alpha Crew).

April 12, USS Guardian pulled into Chinhae Naval Base for a brief port call before conducting MCM operations with the South Korean Navy ships. Returned to Sasebo on April 27; Underway again on May 7 for joint MCM exercise with the ROK Navy; Inport Ulsan from May 8-10; Port call to Pohang from May 11-19.

May 25, MCM 5 arrived in Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for a five-week Restricted Availability (RAV).

July 2, The Guardian arrived in Kochi, Japan, for a two-day port visit. Inport Pohang, ROK, from July 5-8; Supported exercise Freedom Banner through July 10; Inport Pohang again from July 11-12; Returned to Sasebo on July 14.

August 16, Lt. Cmdr. Antony M. Kurta relieved Lt. Cmdr. Terry T. Miller as the 7th CO of USS Guardian (Delta Crew).

August 23, The mine countermeasures ship departed Sasebo, Japan, for joint Q-route Surveys through Aug. 31. Inport Busan, ROK, from Aug. 25-27; Upkeep in Chinhae Naval Base from Sept. 2-5; Joint operations in Kunsan Op. Area through Sept. 20; Returned to Fleet Activities Sasebo on Sept. 22; Underway again for joint Q-route Ops. on Oct. 3; Inport Donghae from Oct. 4-6; Participated in MCMEX 95K-1 from Oct. 8-12; Inport Chinhae from Oct. 14-21; Participated in exercise Foal Eagle through Oct. 31.

November 6, USS Guardian arrived in Naval Base Yokosuka for a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). In Dry Dock #4 at Yokosuka Naval Shipyard from Nov. 15 through Dec. 27.

February 2, 1996 Lt. Cmdr. Glenn M. Irvine relieved Lt. Cmdr. Antony M. Kurta as commanding officer of MCM 5 (Foxtrot Crew).

February 9, The Guardian departed its forward-deployed homeport to participate in Mine Warfare-Explosive Ordnance Disposal (MINEX-EODEX) 96-1JA in the Saiki Op. Area. Inport Kure, Japan, from Feb. 12-14; Inport Saiki from Feb. 26-28; Returned to Sasebo on March 1; In February, Fleet Activities Sasebo became a permanent homeport of USS Guardian; Underway for local operations on March 27.

April 1, USS Guardian departed Naval Base Sasebo for a joint Q-route exercise. Port calls to Inchon, ROK, from April 3-6, 8-10, 13-15 and 17-21st; Brief stop in Yosu, ROK, from April 25-26; Returned home on April 27; Underway for MCM training on May 20; Underway for ISE from May 22-24; Underway for engine checks and INSURV/MRCI Preps. from June 5-8; Underway for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment from June 10-13; Underway for MRCI on June 14; Underway again on July 2.

July 3, MCM 5 arrived in Jeju, Republic of Korea, for a four-day liberty visit to Cheju Do Island.

July 8, The Guardian pulled into Pohang, ROK, for a four-day port call in preparation for exercise Valiant Usher. Returned to Sasebo on July 16; In Dry Dock # 2 from July 17-19 for "safe haven" from Super Typhoon Eve.

July 22, USS Guardian commenced a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) while pierside at Naval Base Sasebo. In Dry Dock # 2 from Aug. 13-15 for "safe haven" from Tuphoon?.

August 20, Lt. Cmdr. Allan C. Westphal relieved Lt. Cmdr. Glenn M. Irvine as CO of the Guardian.

From September 16-18, the mine countermeasures ship was underway for Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) II Preps. Underway for CART II on Oct. 5; Underway for local operations from Oct. 8-9.

October 19, USS Guardian departed homeport in support of annual exercise Foal Eagle. Inport Pohang, Republic of Korea, from Oct. 21-26; Port visit to Busan from Nov. 1-5; Returned to Sasebo on Nov. 6; Underway for a joint Q-route Surveys on Nov. 16; Inport Chinhae from Nov. 21-23; Port call to Busan from Nov. 23-26; Returned home on Nov. 27.

From December 15-26, the Guardian was underway in support of exercise Valiant Search off Okinawa. Inport Naha, Japan, on Dec. 20 and 22-23rd; Underway for MCM training on Jan. 14.

January 16, 1997 USS Guardian moored outboard the USS Frank Cable (AS 40) for a two-week Restricted Availability (RAV).

February 1, MCM 5 departed Sasebo to participate in MINEX-EODEX 97-1JA in the Saiki Op. Area. Port visit to Yokosuka from Feb. 5-9; Inport Kure from Feb. 13-15 in preparation for joint exercise.

February 25, USS Guardian arrived in Saiki, Oita Prefecture, for a three-day port visit. Returned home on March 1.

March 14, Lt. Cmdr. Robert P. Girrier relieved Lt. Cmdr. Allan C. Westphal as the 10th CO of Guardian.

March 19, The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship departed homeport for routine training. Underway for a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) I on March 27 and 28th; Ammo onload at Maebata Pier on April 1.

April 2, The Guardian arrived in Pohang, Republic of Korea, for a brief port call. Inport Inchon from April 3-5 in preparation for MCMEX 97-2K and Q-route Surveys, off the coast of Pohang and Donghae; Returned to Sasebo on April 14; RAV from April 25- May 7; Underway for Engineering Certification (ECERT) on May 29.

June 13, USS Guardian departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for its maiden western Pacific patrol. Brief stop in Okinawa on June 15.

June 25, The Guardian pulled into Sepanggar Naval Base, Malaysia, for a three-day port visit to Kota Kinabalu. Inport Sembawang shipyard in Singapore for upkeep from July 2-5; Moored at Tuas naval base from July 5-9 in preparation for exercise Mercury, off the coast of Singapore; Inport Tuas naval base again from July 11-13; Inport Sembawang from July 13-21 for RAV and liberty visit to Singapore.

July 24, MCM 5 arrived in Kuching, Malaysia, for a five-day port visit. Port call to Hong Kong from Aug. 5-11; Returneed to homeport on Aug. 15; Underway for Final Evaluation Period (FEP) from Aug. 26-27; Ammo offload at Maebata Pier on Aug. 28.

September 8, USS Guardian commenced a three-and-a-half month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Entered the Dry Dock #2 at SSK Shipyard in Sasebo on Sept. 14; Undocked on Nov. 26; Underway for sea trials on Dec. 24.

February 11, 1998 the mine countermeasures ship departed Sasebo for exercise MINEX-EODEX 98-1JA in Suo Nada Bay. Inport Kure, Japan, from Feb. 14-15 and Feb. 26- March 1; Training Availability (TRAV) and upkeep in Yokosuka from March 4-21; Returned home on March 25; Underway again on May 5.

May 7, USS Guardian moored at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a five-day liberty visit. Returned home on May 15.

July 6, The Guardian departed Sasebo, Japan, for a Summer Patrol.

July 10, USS Guardian arrived in Niigata, Japan, for a three-day port visit.

From July 14-28, the mine countermeasures ship paticipated in MINEX-EODEX 98-2JA in Mutsu Bay.

August 1, USS Guardian arrived in Aomori, Japan, for a three-day port visit in conjunction with the Nebuta Festival. Inport Kanazawa from Aug. 7-10.

August 13, MCM 5 moored at Chinhae Naval Base, ROK, to participate in a two-week joint multinational exercise Ulchi Focus Lens.

August 28, The Guardian returned to Naval Base Sasebo after a nearly two-month underway period. FMAV with USS Frank Cable in September.

September 18, Lt. Cmdr. Alfonso L. Woods relieved Lt. Cmdr. Robert P. Girrier as commanding officer of the USS Guardian.

October 22, MCM 5 departed Fleet Activities Sasebo to participate in annual exercise Foal Eagle. Inport Pohang, ROK, from Oct. 24-25; Returned home on Nov. 6.

From January 28-29, 1999, USS Guardian was underway for routine training. Underway in support of MINEX-EODEX 99-1JA from Feb. 12- March 5; Inport Kure from Feb. 14-19 and Feb. 25- March 2; Underway for local operations from March 30- April 3 and April 14-15; Underway for TSTA III from April 21-25; Underway for FEP from May 4-7.

May 12, USS Guardian departed homeport for a western Pacific deployment in support of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) '99 exercise.

May 17, The Guardian arrived in Tokushima, Japan, for a three-day port visit. Inport White Beach, Okinawa, from May 25-28.

June 8, The mine countermeasures ship arrived in Sembawang, Singapore, for an 18-day port call to conduct emergent repairs to its diesel generators.

June 28, USS Guardian arrived in Lumut, Malaysia, to participate in its first phase of CARAT. Underway for at-sea phase from July 5-9; Inport Lumut again from July 9-11; CARAT Singapore from July 13-25.

July 29, MCM 5 moored at Sattahip naval base for CARAT Thailand. Underway for at-sea phase from Aug. 3-5; Inport Sattahip again from Aug. 5-10; Brief stop in Okinawa on Aug. 20.

August 23, USS Guardian returned to Sasebo, Japan, after more than a three-month underway period.

From October 19 through Nov. 4, the Guardian was underway in support of exercise Foal Eagle and a brief stop in Pohang, ROK.

February 10, 2000 USS Guardian departed Naval Base Sasebo in support of annual MINEX-EODEX exercise. Inport Kure, Japan, from Feb. 13-15; Brief stop to refuel in Tokuyama from Feb. 22-23.

February 24, The Guardian arrived in Kagoshima, Japan, for a four-day port visit. Returned home on Feb. 29.

March 9, MCM 5 commenced a four-and-a-half month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at Fleet Activities Sasebo.

May 26, Lt. Cmdr. Bernard M. Gately, Jr., relieved Lt. Cmdr. Alfonso L. Woods as CO of the Guardian.

Underway for sea trials on July 19; Underway for routine training from Aug. 2-4, Aug. 14, 17-18, 23-25 and 28-30th; Underway for TSTA II from Sept. 18-22.

October 14, USS Guardian departed Sasebo to participate in annual multinational exercise Foal Eagle off the coast of Pohang, Republic of Korea. Inport Pohang from Oct. 17-21, 26-28 and Oct. 30-31; Returned home on Nov. 1; Underway for Type Training from Dec. 13-14; Underway for local operations from Jan 11-14, 17-19 and 22-26th.

February 1, 2001 The Guardian departed homeport to participate in MINEX-EODEX 01-1JA, in Suo Nada Bay. Port visit to Kure from Feb. 3-5; Inport Tokuyama to refuel from Feb. 10-11.

February 17, The mine countermeasures ship arrived in Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a 19-day port call for emergent repairs and training availability. Returned to Sasebo on March 14; Underway for routine training from April 19-21, 24-27, May 2-3 and 9-12th; Underway Demonstration (UD) from May 17-18.

May 24, USS Guardian, along with USS Patriot (MCM 7), departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a three-month western Pacific patrol. Brief stop at Okinawa on May 27.

June 8, The Guardian moored at Tuas Naval Base in Singapore for a four-day port call before participating in MINEX. Upkeep at Sembawang shipyard from June 22- July 2.

July 4, MCM 5 arrived in Lumut, Malaysia, for a two-day port visit. Brief stop in Singapore to refuel on July 9.

July 13, USS Guardian pulled into Sattahip, Thailand, for a five-day port call.

July 26, The Guardian moored at Ocean Terminal in downtown Hong Kong for a four-day port visit. Inport White Beach, Okinawa, from Aug. 4-8.

August 10, USS Guardian returned to homeport after an 11-week underway period. Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on Aug. 13 to offload ammunition; Underway for local operations on Sept. 20.

From October 2-16, USS Guardian was underway in support of the USS Essex ARG's Blue/Green workups off Okinawa. Underway for dagaussing range at Okinawa from Oct. 20-29; Underway for routine training on Nov. 29 and Dec. 12-13.

From February 4-7, 2002, MCM 5 was underway for local operations. Underway for MINEX-EODEX 02-1JA in Suo Nada Bay on Feb. 11; Inport Kure, Japan, from Feb. 13-15; Port visit to Kagoshima from March 2-6; Returned home on March 8.

From March 16 through April 3, the Guardian was underway for exercise Foal Eagle. Inport Pohang, ROK, from March 18-19 and 26-28th; Port call to Busan from March 29- April 2.

April 23, USS Guardian departed Naval Base Sasebo for a western Pacific patrol. Brief stop in Okinawa to refuel from April 25-26.

April 30, The mine countermeasures ship pulled into Hong Kong for a five-day port visit. Brief stop at Sepanggar Naval Base, Malaysia, to refuel on May 9.

May 16, USS Guardian moored at Royal Thai Navy installation in Sattahip for a six-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of a joint/combined exercise Cobra Gold 2002, in the Gulf of Thailand, from May 22-27.

May 23, The Guardian became the first U.S. Navy mine countermeasures ship to successfully employ the Mission Package Three (MP-3) explosive moored mine neutralization system. MP-3 consists of a 90 pound bomblet packed with approximately 60 pounds of high explosives, a detachable arm, and a float assembly.

May 27, USS Guardian pulled again into Sattahip, Thailand, for a four-day port call.

May 28, Lt. Cmdr. Stanley O. Keeve, Jr., relieved Lt. Cmdr. Bernard M. Gately, Jr., as the 13th CO of MCM 5.

From May 31- June 7, the Guardian was underway for Mine Warfare Refresher Training (REFTRA) in the Gulf of Thailand. Inport Sattahip from June 7-10; Underway again for MINEX from June 10-14; Inport Sattahip to refuel from June 14-15; Port call to Singapore from June 19-22; Inport Sepanggar, Malaysia, from June 27-28.

June 30, The mine countermeasures ship pulled into Subic Bay, Philippines, for a brief stop to refuel. A series of typhoons and high seas forced the Guardian to remain in port until July 12; Brief stop in Okinawa from July 18-19.

July 22, USS Guardian moored at India Basin after completing the three-month Summer Patrol.

July 26, The Guardian commenced a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Underway for sea trials from Sept. 25-26; Underway for Type Training from Oct. 8-9; Underway again on Oct. 14.

October 18, MCM 5 arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, for a three-week training availability. Returned to Sasebo on Nov. 14; Underway for TSTA I from Nov. 18-23; Underway for routine training from Dec. 4-6 and 9-11th.

From January 11-14, 2003, the Guardian was underway for local operations. Underway again from Jan. 31- Feb. 1, Feb. 21, Feb. 26- March 1 and March 4-6; Underway for degaussing range from March 10-11; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on March 14; Underway Demonstration (UD) on March 15.

March 18, The mine countermeasures ship departed homeport to participate in annual exercise Foal Eagle. Inport Pohang, Republic of Korea, from March 20-21 and 26-28th.

March 29, USS Guardian moored at Busan Naval Base for a three-day port call. Returned to Sasebo on April 2; Underway for TSTA III from April 14-18; Underway for FEP from April 21-22.

May 15, The Guardian departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a western Pacific patrol.

May 18, MCM 5 moored at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa for a three-day port call. Port visit to Fukuoka, Japan, from May 25-28; Inport Busan, ROK, from May 29- June 2; Port call to Incheon, ROK, from June 4-9; Port visit to Kagoshima, Japan, from June 12-16; Returned home on June 18.

From June 25 through July 2, USS Guardian was underway to locate and mark an AAV off Okinawa. Underway for routine training from July 8-11, 22-25, Aug. 5-7, Sept. 2-6, 11-12 and 18-19th; Underway again on Sept. 23; Inport White Beach, Okinawa, from Sept. 29-30; Returned home on Oct. 2; Underway agin on Oct. 11.

October 15, The Guardian pulled into Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a 17-day training availability (TRAV). Returned to Sasebo on Nov. 5; Underway for local operations on Nov. 6; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on Nov. 13; Underway for local operations from Dec. 4-5 and Jan. 14-16, 2004; Underway agin from Feb. 3-5.

February 12, MCM 5 departed Sasebo to participate in Mine Warfare-Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercise (MINEX-EODEX) ’04 in Suo Nada Bay. Inport Shimonoseki from Feb. 13-15 and 25-26th; Returned home on Feb. 27; Anchored at A-39 for ammo offload on March 4; Moored at Akasaki Pier on March 9 to defuel.

March 10, USS Guardian entered the Dry Dock #2 at SSK Shipyard for a three-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Departed dry-dock on May 21.

May 26, Lt. Cmdr. Delbert G. Yordy relieved Lt. Cmdr. Stanley O. Keeve, Jr., as commanding officer of the Guardian.

From June 7-8, The mine countermeasures ship was underway for sea trials and ammo onload. Underway for routine training on June 11 and 15-16th; Underway for local operations from June 19-24, July 3-9, 13-14 and 23rd; Underway for Mine Warfare training from Aug. 7-11; Underway for local operations from Aug. 25-26; In dry-dock at SSK shipyard from Aug. 29-31 for "safe haven" from Typhoon Chaba; Underway for local operations on Sept. 1.

September 3, USS Guardian departed Naval Base Sasebo for a Friends and Family Day Cruise. Underway for local operations on Sept. 7, 15-16, 20, 23, 28-29 and Oct. 5-6; Underway again on Oct. 13.

October 16, MCM 5 pulled into Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a 16-day training availability. Returned home on Nov. 4; Underway for local operations on Nov. 23 and Dec. 5-6; Underway for INSURV asessment on Dec. 15.

April 16, 2005 USS Guardian departed Sasebo, Japan, for a western Pacific patrol in support of annual exercise Cobra Gold.

July 8, The Guardian returned to homeport after completing a nearly three-month underway period. Port calls to Sattahip, Thailand; Busan; Republic of Korea; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; Hong Kong; and Vladivostok, Russia.

August 25, USS Guardian departed Sasebo to conduct various minesweeping operations, basic engineering casualty control exercises (BECCE) and at-sea fire party drills in order to maintain proficiency for future deployments.

January 25, 2006 MCM 5 returned to Fleet Activities Sasebo after completing underway mine sweep training and main space fire drills. Mine hunting efficiency was top priority for the minesweeper as it practiced numerous mine-searching scenarios. During the exercise, the crew took the variable depth sonar down to 1,000 ft.

February 13, The Guardian, along with USS Patriot, arrived in Kure, Japan, for a two-day port call before participating in a two-week joint and combined exercise MINEX-EODEX '06, with JDS Uraga (MST 463), JDS Bungo (MST 464) and 17 JMSDF mine countermeasures ships.

June 6, Lt. Cmdr. Stevewn H. DeMoss relieved Lt. Cmdr. Delbert G. Yordy as CO of the Guardian.

July 27, USS Guardian pulled into Niigata, Japan, for a scheduled port visit. The ship recently completed a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

September 18, MCM 5 moored outboard the USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) at Russia's largest naval base in the Far East for a scheduled port visit to Vladivostok.

January 19, 2007 USS Guardian arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, to begin its training availability period (TRAV).

February 8, The mine countermeasures ship pulled into Shimonoseki, Japan, for a brief port visit before participating in exercise MINEX-EODEX '07. Inport Kure from Feb. 13-15; Returned home on Feb. 17.

March 21, MCM 5 arrived in Chinhae naval base in preparation for the upcoming bilateral exercises Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle (FE) 07. While in Republic of Korea, the Guardian will participate with ROK mine sweepers to increase bilateral interoperability in this mission area.

May 2, USS Guardian recently departed Muara, Brunei, after a brief stop to refuel.

May 11, The mine countermeasures ship is currently participating in a multinational annual exercise Cobra Gold 2007, off the coast of Thailand, from May 8-18.

May 29, USS Guardian completed an eight-day maintenance availability, which focused on repairs and material upgrades, at Sembawang Wharf, on the northern-most portion of Singapore.

June 11, MCM 5 recently departed Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, after a four-day port visit.

June 24, USS Guardian arrived in Yonaguni, Japan, for a two-day port visit marking the first time a Navy vessel has visited the Japanese island since the United States returned Okinawa to Japan in 1972.

June 29, The Guardian returned to Sasebo after a three-month Spring Patrol.

From September 24-25, MCM 5 participated in passing exercise (PASSEX) with a Japanese mine hunter JDS Ukushima (MSO 686).

November 14, USS Guardian pulled into Hai Phong, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit.

May 8, 2008 Lt. Cmdr. Theodore E. Essenfield relieved Lt. Cmdr. Steven H. DeMoss as the 16th CO of Guardian.

August 19, The mine countermeasures ship is currently underway for a tailored mine warfare unit-level training assessment certification, evaluated by assessors from Afloat Training Group.

April 3, 2009 USS Guardian and USS Patriot arrived in the Yonaguni Port on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, for a goodwill port visit.

May 25, The Guardian pulled into Hong Kong for a scheduled port visit.

July 2, Lt. Cmdr. Bryce A. Benson relieved Lt. Cmdr. Theodore E. Essenfield a CO of USS Guardian during a change-of-command ceremony at Fleet Activities Sasebo.

November 21, USS Guardian, along with USS Defender (MCM 2) and USS Patriot, pulled into Chinhae, Republic of Korea, to participate in annual mine counter-measures exercise Clear Horizon.

January 25, 2010 MCM 5 entered the Dry Dock #2 at SSK Shipyard for a Selective Restricted Availability (SRA).

July 19, The Guardian arrived in Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a four-week training availability.

September 12, USS Guardian arrived in Incheon, Republic of Korea, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the historical amphibious landing at the city and honor the long-standing alliance between the two nations.

October 15, Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth R. Brown relieved Lt. Cmdr. Bryce A. Benson as CO of the Guardian.

February 28, 2011 USS Guardian departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a western Pacific patrol. The ship will participate in annual exercise Foal Eagle 2011 in March, off the coast of Chinhae and Pohang, Republic of Korea.

April 4, The mine countermeasures ship recently arrived in Changi Naval Base for a scheduled port visit to Singapore.

April 12, The Guardian departed Makassar, Indonesia, after a brief port call.

April 15, MCM 5 arrived in Hera, Timor Leste, to train with the Timorese navy and participate in multiple cultural exchanges.

April 28, USS Guardian departed Darwin, Australia, after a six-day port visit.

May 3, The Guardian pulled into Port Benoa, Indonesia, for a five-day visit to the island of Bali, before participating in a joint exercise with the Indonesian navy.

May 10, The mine countermeasures ship pulled into Surabaya for a scheduled port call.

June 12, USS Guardian, along with USS Avenger, arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, for a goodwill port visit. The two ships departed Chuk Samet, Thailand, June 6 after a two-day port call.

June 23, The Guardian, Avenger arrived in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, for a scheduled port visit to Republic of the Philippines.

July 3, The two mine countermeasures ship pulled into Hong Kong to celebrate the Independence Day.

October 21, Lt. Cmdr. Timothy R. Carter relieved Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth R. Brown as commanding officer of the MCM 5.

July 9, 2012 USS Guardian arrived in Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan, for a brief port call. Another visit to FAY from July 26-28.

October 29, Lt. Cmdr. Mark A. Rice relieved Lt. Cmdr. Timothy R. Carter as the 19th CO of USS Guardian.

January 5, 2013 USS Guardian departed CFAS for a western Pacific patrol.

January 8, The Guardian moored at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a routine port call.

January 13, The mine countermeasures ship pulled into Subic Bay, Philippines, for a brief stop to refuel and take on supplies.

January 17, USS Guardian ran aground on Tubbataha National Marine Park Reef after 4 a.m. local time and stuck, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island. No one was injured. The site is protected by Philippine law, and is off-limits to navigation except for research or tourism approved by Tubbataha Management Office. MCM 5 did not have a permit to enter the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, and Guardian’s officers ignored Marine Park rangers when told that they were entering a protected area. When the rangers warned the ship’s officers that they would be boarding it, the ship’s crew took battle positions with their weapons, forcing the rangers to back off.

January 18, As a precautionary measure, all 79 crew members were temporarily transferred to a support vessels USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) and MSV C-Champion.

January 25, U.S. Navy-led salvage team safely transferred the 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel from the tanks of USS Guardian to the contracted Malaysian tug Vos Apollo, in two days, to prevent potential environmental damage. Two heavy lift ship-borne cranes have already been contracted to support the salvage operations and are due to arrive at the scene around Feb. 1.

January 30, U.S. Navy decided recently that the only viable option to free the Guardian is to cut it up and remove it in sections, an operation that will take at least one month depending on weather and environmental protection, because the damage to its wooden hull is too extensive for any atempt to lift the ship onto the barge.

February 15, USS Guardian was officially decommissioned and stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register.