I served on USS Fife from 1998 to 2000, got on board in Japan and took the cruise to Washington. Served on the 'crack pac' where my friends and I would sit on the weatherdecks by the smoke stacks and watch UFOs. Wish I had a video camera.
I worked forward engine room and the flight deck from84-86. I stll have my cruise book from 86. I had just refueled the sh46 that crashed and hung up vertically on the starboard sea sparrow deck when we came out of the Strait of Malaka into the IO.She was an awesome ship.This is a sad vid for me to watch.I earned my shellback cert on her and had many a friend on her.She was home ported out of San Diego at the time.When I got on board she was only about 4 or 5 years young at the time.
This is tough to watch. My only time on the Fife was for the decommissioning, because my great-grandfather was Admiral Fife.
A heartfelt thank you to all who served aboard the Fife. I'd buy any and all of you a drink any time, as long as you promise to tell me tales of the ship.
Also, I'm interested in Fife related docs, pics or anything else you'd be willing to share.
"It's build chararter" BMC once said. I miss hanging out side the ship to paint the numbers 991, port and starbord anchors. Anyone could steer the ship, but the heart of a leader will chart it course. Never Give Up Your Endeavor Navy (xSN N.G.U.Y.E.N.)
@heygoodc@eye done I remember both of you guys! Cooper, you took some good pics of my missiles being shot during desert storm. remember Thailand after the war? good times on that ship! I miss them.
Sad to see her go out like that. The Fife was my first and best ship. She brought me back safely from desert storm. I served on her Aug. 1990- Oct. 1992. When the Navy DIDN'T suck.
@hammerogod All hatches are open on target ships. American ships are designed to take a beating. No matter what the damages is, if there is any possibility of saving the ship, a good DC crew can save it. Look at the USS Stark that took two exocet missiles.
Now Hear This..Set Watertight Condition "You are not going to make it home to momma"
Talk about ships that took a pounding and kept on sailing, you have to remember the Franklin, Forrestal, Intrepid and several others that should have sunk but didn't...excellent DC and some luck kept them all afloat.
I had to fight a few onboard fires on the old Essex class CVA - Bon Homme Richard CVA-31...and it's always an ass puckering ordeal.
Nice to see my handy work on youtube. That's right, I sunk your ship. I delivered the final blow from the USS Preble's 5" gun, and I must say, those Sprucans were built STURDY. A DDG would never take such a pounding.
I was aboard the "Fife" when it was commissioned through '82. Plank owner HTFN McDole. Sad to see the old girl go down, sure miss the good old days with all you guys. I didn't get my piece of the girl. Guess I'm going scuba diving to see if I can salvage a little something from back in the day. Pretty cool coming across this video, great memories.....my friend Amy is awesome and beautiful but she's still not giving it up :( Any ideas?
Now, that's one tough ship. Let's see, two torps, what looks like the result of either a missile or bomb hit amidships, and several 5/54 salvoes. Who built the ship, Noah? An old ET from the Leahy and Texas, here.
I served on USS FIFE from Dec 99 to decom in Mar 03. Reported as FC3, left as FC1. It was sad to see this ship go the way it did. It was clean, sharp, and worked harder than most newer ships out there now. All for this. I wish the crews firing at her had a little more respect for the death of such a grand warship. This ship had the distinction of having fired the most tomahawk missles of any ship in the first Gulf War. I hope that she is remembered well.
@macichitte I couldnt agree more! A crime for sure. The Spruance and Kidd class destroyers should have had Service Life Extention Programs. These excellent units deserved much better. Especially considering that there are still Fletcher class DD's operating in a few navies, at 60+ years age...
I served on board USS FIFE DD991 from Apr90 to May92. Did the Desert Storm thing. USS Fife was a good, solid ship. Blowing it apart like this is a travesty. No military member of the other services, no civilian has any idea how hard a sailor has to work on these ships. Constantly maintaining cleanliness, taking decks down to bare metal and refinishing them out. Not only your own spaces but all parts of the exterior of the ship.
Complete waste of a still useful ship. I am still wondering what the rush was to get rid of all of the Spruance Class Destroyers. We use to keep ships in mothballs for years, But within 4 years of their decommissioning all were disposed of. WHY ?? I think because the Navy wanted to push the new Littoral ships on us and they have none of the capability of a real destroyer. A huge mistake has been made here.
@kennhi2008 this is the craziest shit i've ever saw ,,, i wonder if they pulled the turbines out ,,, you know they didn't get the reduction gears out ,, ,,, some senator somewhere is laughing , at how he talked the navy into wasting all this money ,, totally crazy
I was attached to the Oldendorf from the Kirk FF-1087 when she forward deployed to Yokosuka and like all the squids on the Fife I hate to see a ship I called home become an artificial reef. I guess it was Karma, we sank a WWII LST during a harpoon test.
@bilbo1961 I served onboard the Oly also in Yokosuka, from 86 to 88. Such a tremendous history. They need to name another ship after Admiral Oldendorf, sad to watch her sink at the end of this clip.
I was a plankowner on Fife and served from Nov 79 through commissioning on May 31, 80 until June of 83. I was in Pascagoula for nearly a year between precomm and post shakedown availability and met a lot of the proud shipyard workers who built her. Her maiden deployment to the Western Pacific was memorable. She was a well built ship that was well kept by some great crews. Of all of the ships I served on both enlisted and officer, she is the most memorable.
I was a Fifer in 95 -97.Yeah, I'm torn over the razor blade thing versus knowing that Sailors on the Curts might have been whooping it up on the weatherdecks as this happened. Still, ballsy of the lady to last that long. (We knew she could when we were aboard her.)
I was onboard when she was in the yards in San Diego. She just got the VLS forward and some cool new Phalanx systems. This was a complete waste of a fine ship... rather seen it scraped than used as target practice...
I served onboard '00-'03 started out in deck dep and ended up gm in MT51. Ive never had a better time in my life, it hurts bad to watch this video but she fought hard. RIP Fife
i pulled the main power cable emergency power cable and sonar dome in pascagula miss. its sad to see them go wish i had one in lake hartwell wouldnt that be a sight
Wow. I had seen the pictures but didn't know any videos existed for this. I served onboard the Fife from Dec 1999 to Feb 2003 when they moth-balled her. The old girl held her own even when left to fend for herself.
She held her own for some time it appears. Much better then making razor blades.. Each test like this will enable engineers to build the next one better and save lives.
On May 28 2002, I was on board USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 and The USS Fife passed us right in the mouth of point loma my Grandfather was with me for tiger Cruise and said: "Quick get a picture!" I got 2. its just recently that i learned of her death. I bought a Spuance class 1/350 scale model ship, it will be the Fife. I agree terible way for the navy to thank its vets but the training is invaluable Fair winds and following seas USS Fife. -ABE2 (AW)
I was one of the first crew assigned and I watched the Fife built section by section in Pascagoula. I proudly served as plank owner from 1979-1983. She served her country well!!!
I served on the lovely lassie we called the Fife as well. Being one of the deck-division, I feel so much pain in seeing her fall like that. Decommissioned or not, it was an honor to paint her over and over. She never looked so pretty. Rest In Peace fair lady!
I was onboard here from 1983-1887 and watched them put in the vertical launch. Very sad to see her sink - but at least she put up a good fight. Hard to watch this happen to something you lived on for over 3 years......
I served on USS Fife from 1998 to 2000, got on board in Japan and took the cruise to Washington. Served on the 'crack pac' where my friends and I would sit on the weatherdecks by the smoke stacks and watch UFOs. Wish I had a video camera.
TheRobstoddard 1 month ago
I forgot to mention, I was the ship's lead gyrotech and an IC2 at the time.
TheRobstoddard 1 month ago
I worked forward engine room and the flight deck from84-86. I stll have my cruise book from 86. I had just refueled the sh46 that crashed and hung up vertically on the starboard sea sparrow deck when we came out of the Strait of Malaka into the IO.She was an awesome ship.This is a sad vid for me to watch.I earned my shellback cert on her and had many a friend on her.She was home ported out of San Diego at the time.When I got on board she was only about 4 or 5 years young at the time.
bluecollar0 2 months ago
This ship was my home from 79-81. Had that new ship smell.
drumm2m3d 3 months ago
This is tough to watch. My only time on the Fife was for the decommissioning, because my great-grandfather was Admiral Fife.
A heartfelt thank you to all who served aboard the Fife. I'd buy any and all of you a drink any time, as long as you promise to tell me tales of the ship.
Also, I'm interested in Fife related docs, pics or anything else you'd be willing to share.
supermantrackcoach 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"It's build chararter" BMC once said. I miss hanging out side the ship to paint the numbers 991, port and starbord anchors. Anyone could steer the ship, but the heart of a leader will chart it course. Never Give Up Your Endeavor Navy (xSN N.G.U.Y.E.N.)
aznma3 6 months ago
Comment removed
aznma3 6 months ago
@heygoodc @eye done I remember both of you guys! Cooper, you took some good pics of my missiles being shot during desert storm. remember Thailand after the war? good times on that ship! I miss them.
RickJames1811 6 months ago
Sad to see her go out like that. The Fife was my first and best ship. She brought me back safely from desert storm. I served on her Aug. 1990- Oct. 1992. When the Navy DIDN'T suck.
RickJames1811 6 months ago
Does anyone know what Watertight Condition was set?
The old gal didn't want go down....which reminds me of my 3rd wife.
hammerogod 6 months ago
@hammerogod All hatches are open on target ships. American ships are designed to take a beating. No matter what the damages is, if there is any possibility of saving the ship, a good DC crew can save it. Look at the USS Stark that took two exocet missiles.
Robbob9933 4 months ago
@Robbob9933
I guess they call that WC "We're all gonna die"
Now Hear This..Set Watertight Condition "You are not going to make it home to momma"
Talk about ships that took a pounding and kept on sailing, you have to remember the Franklin, Forrestal, Intrepid and several others that should have sunk but didn't...excellent DC and some luck kept them all afloat.
I had to fight a few onboard fires on the old Essex class CVA - Bon Homme Richard CVA-31...and it's always an ass puckering ordeal.
hammerogod 4 months ago
@hammerogod One that I remember reading about many years ago was USS Laffey. It took 4 bombs and 6 kamakazi hits and survives today as a museum ship.
Robbob9933 4 months ago
I miss that ship was station on her from dec 91 to jun 94. Was so fun running full speed on her, she could haul ass...
delven121 10 months ago
Nice to see my handy work on youtube. That's right, I sunk your ship. I delivered the final blow from the USS Preble's 5" gun, and I must say, those Sprucans were built STURDY. A DDG would never take such a pounding.
cstewa01 10 months ago
Wow i was on the final cruise and decommissioned this ship... Crazy they blew her up...
codyhall2005 10 months ago
I was aboard the "Fife" when it was commissioned through '82. Plank owner HTFN McDole. Sad to see the old girl go down, sure miss the good old days with all you guys. I didn't get my piece of the girl. Guess I'm going scuba diving to see if I can salvage a little something from back in the day. Pretty cool coming across this video, great memories.....my friend Amy is awesome and beautiful but she's still not giving it up :( Any ideas?
singledad5120 11 months ago
I used to be FC2 Davis, now NC1 Davis.
NavyCounselor92 1 year ago
Now, that's one tough ship. Let's see, two torps, what looks like the result of either a missile or bomb hit amidships, and several 5/54 salvoes. Who built the ship, Noah? An old ET from the Leahy and Texas, here.
cabbievonbump 1 year ago
I served on USS FIFE from Dec 99 to decom in Mar 03. Reported as FC3, left as FC1. It was sad to see this ship go the way it did. It was clean, sharp, and worked harder than most newer ships out there now. All for this. I wish the crews firing at her had a little more respect for the death of such a grand warship. This ship had the distinction of having fired the most tomahawk missles of any ship in the first Gulf War. I hope that she is remembered well.
NavyCounselor92 1 year ago
GOOD GOD! The bow comes off and the ship stays afloat! That's US Navy shipbuilding design for ya!
RedRocker9957 1 year ago
she put up a good fight
john21992 1 year ago
Seriously, doing this to 30 Spruance Class destroyers was FRAUD, WASTE and ABUSE!!!
macichitte 1 year ago
@macichitte I couldnt agree more! A crime for sure. The Spruance and Kidd class destroyers should have had Service Life Extention Programs. These excellent units deserved much better. Especially considering that there are still Fletcher class DD's operating in a few navies, at 60+ years age...
StevenPLegere 1 year ago
@StevenPLegere Afraid not. The last Fletcher was decommed about 4 years ago, Mexican Navy if I recall correctly. Still, a good point.
cabbievonbump 1 year ago
As a former crew member of the USS Oldendorf, it was very difficult to watch this. I had a lot of fun on that ship.
blueridgemustangs 1 year ago
what a shame for a good solid ship , RIP uss fife
thermiii 1 year ago
a proud ship, hard to sunk !!
subsitor 1 year ago
I served on board USS FIFE DD991 from Apr90 to May92. Did the Desert Storm thing. USS Fife was a good, solid ship. Blowing it apart like this is a travesty. No military member of the other services, no civilian has any idea how hard a sailor has to work on these ships. Constantly maintaining cleanliness, taking decks down to bare metal and refinishing them out. Not only your own spaces but all parts of the exterior of the ship.
EyeMdone 1 year ago
This is HEYGOOD......I was onboard FIFE during same time. Who is this?
HEYGOODC 1 year ago
@HEYGOODC At that time I was STG3 Cooper. I can remember a Heygood on board. What was your rate?
EyeMdone 1 year ago
OS1
HEYGOODC 1 year ago
@HEYGOODC OS1 Heygood, yeah I remember you. I was in CA division with Mix, Flowers, Maguire, Ken Sanders and a bunch of other guys.
EyeMdone 1 year ago
@HEYGOODC Are you on Facebook? I've run into quite a few of the guys on there.
EyeMdone 1 year ago
@HEYGOODC I don't know if you remember me, I was IC3 Hohensee worked in E division. Pretty sad watching her go down
reh03acura 11 months ago
@reh03acura YES WE REMEMBER YOU, A OLD GAY DRUNK.
michaelwright999 9 months ago
@HEYGOODC I was onboard from '90 to '92 and then transfered to the Thatch FFG43
reh03acura 11 months ago
Complete waste of a still useful ship. I am still wondering what the rush was to get rid of all of the Spruance Class Destroyers. We use to keep ships in mothballs for years, But within 4 years of their decommissioning all were disposed of. WHY ?? I think because the Navy wanted to push the new Littoral ships on us and they have none of the capability of a real destroyer. A huge mistake has been made here.
kennhi2008 1 year ago 2
@kennhi2008 this is the craziest shit i've ever saw ,,, i wonder if they pulled the turbines out ,,, you know they didn't get the reduction gears out ,, ,,, some senator somewhere is laughing , at how he talked the navy into wasting all this money ,, totally crazy
levisnteeshirt 1 year ago
I was attached to the Oldendorf from the Kirk FF-1087 when she forward deployed to Yokosuka and like all the squids on the Fife I hate to see a ship I called home become an artificial reef. I guess it was Karma, we sank a WWII LST during a harpoon test.
bilbo1961 2 years ago
@bilbo1961 I served onboard the Oly also in Yokosuka, from 86 to 88. Such a tremendous history. They need to name another ship after Admiral Oldendorf, sad to watch her sink at the end of this clip.
TheIronKeel 1 year ago
I served on her in 83-85, its hard to watch this video
jseabear 2 years ago
I was a plankowner on Fife and served from Nov 79 through commissioning on May 31, 80 until June of 83. I was in Pascagoula for nearly a year between precomm and post shakedown availability and met a lot of the proud shipyard workers who built her. Her maiden deployment to the Western Pacific was memorable. She was a well built ship that was well kept by some great crews. Of all of the ships I served on both enlisted and officer, she is the most memorable.
Commander Mike Wagner, USN, Ret
mustang946 2 years ago
my uncle served on the fife from 95 to 99
BridgewaterTrevor 2 years ago
I was a Fifer in 95 -97.Yeah, I'm torn over the razor blade thing versus knowing that Sailors on the Curts might have been whooping it up on the weatherdecks as this happened. Still, ballsy of the lady to last that long. (We knew she could when we were aboard her.)
lipssan 2 years ago
wow, that's a cruiser isn't it? Looks alot like the Ticonderoga class that I serve on. Impressive that she stayed afloat with the bow gone like that!
Spideymun 2 years ago
RIP Fife... my husband served on you in Japan during the early 90s...
SisterSunnshine 2 years ago
I was onboard when she was in the yards in San Diego. She just got the VLS forward and some cool new Phalanx systems. This was a complete waste of a fine ship... rather seen it scraped than used as target practice...
jimtazem 2 years ago
I served onboard '00-'03 started out in deck dep and ended up gm in MT51. Ive never had a better time in my life, it hurts bad to watch this video but she fought hard. RIP Fife
sleb1882 2 years ago
i pulled the main power cable emergency power cable and sonar dome in pascagula miss. its sad to see them go wish i had one in lake hartwell wouldnt that be a sight
stevet92 2 years ago
Wow. I had seen the pictures but didn't know any videos existed for this. I served onboard the Fife from Dec 1999 to Feb 2003 when they moth-balled her. The old girl held her own even when left to fend for herself.
bernardpike 3 years ago
She held her own for some time it appears. Much better then making razor blades.. Each test like this will enable engineers to build the next one better and save lives.
bulldaawg 3 years ago
On May 28 2002, I was on board USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 and The USS Fife passed us right in the mouth of point loma my Grandfather was with me for tiger Cruise and said: "Quick get a picture!" I got 2. its just recently that i learned of her death. I bought a Spuance class 1/350 scale model ship, it will be the Fife. I agree terible way for the navy to thank its vets but the training is invaluable Fair winds and following seas USS Fife. -ABE2 (AW)
BattleBornJackalope 3 years ago
I was one of the first crew assigned and I watched the Fife built section by section in Pascagoula. I proudly served as plank owner from 1979-1983. She served her country well!!!
kchri 3 years ago
I served on the lovely lassie we called the Fife as well. Being one of the deck-division, I feel so much pain in seeing her fall like that. Decommissioned or not, it was an honor to paint her over and over. She never looked so pretty. Rest In Peace fair lady!
OptimusOpie 3 years ago
I served from 2000 until the decommisioning ceromony. We did a good job wiring the doors open :D
ibanez991 3 years ago
I was onboard here from 1983-1887 and watched them put in the vertical launch. Very sad to see her sink - but at least she put up a good fight. Hard to watch this happen to something you lived on for over 3 years......
Veeman1963 3 years ago
sad sight to see i was on board the fife in 95. you can tell the crew took good care of her. as it took a lot to sink her.
c113wd 3 years ago
was on her 85-89 agree sad to see
she was pretty new when i was on her
great ship
grenyaloca 3 years ago