The Last Ship Commissioned in the District of Columbia
The Washington Navy Yard (WNY), the U.S. Navy’s oldest shore establishment, dates to 2 October 1799, when public land on the Eastern Branch passed into Navy custody. The first U.S. Naval ship ever built in the Yard was the WASP, which was completed in 1806. The USS Sirocco (PC-6) was the most recent U.S. Navy ship commissioned at WNY on June 11, 1994 and the first in 120 years!
The USS Sirocco, whose name means a hot wind, often dusty or rainy blowing from North Africa across the Mediterranean to southern Europe, was the first U.S. Navy ship named Sirocco. Mrs. Kathleen Smith, wife of RADM Raymond C. Smith Jr, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command served as Ship's Sponsor. LT David M. Caldwell commanded a Crew of four officers, 24 Sailors, and 8 Special Forces personnel.
The Sirocco was transferred to the Egyptian Navy 21 March, 2023.
irocco returns to its homeport after a four month deployment in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas where she participated in Multi-National exercises and UN-Sponsored Maritime operations while deployed to Commander Sixth Fleet
U.S. Navy photo N0701-DSP-275-95-00006 by Photographer's Mate Second Class Richard Rosser
