USS Sides (FFG-14), eighth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates, was named for Admiral John H. Sides (died 1978). Ordered from Todd Shipyards, San Pedro, CA on 27 February 1976 as part of the FY76 program, Sides was laid down on 7 August 1978, launched on 19 May 1979, and commissioned on 30 May 1981. Sides escorted tankers through the Straits of Hormuz during the Tanker War and participated in Operation Praying Mantis, the retaliation for Iranian mining operations.[1] The Sides was also part of the Surface Action Group under USS Vincennes (CG-49) when Iran Air 655 was shot down. Decommissioned on 28 February 2003, Sides is currently laid up in reserve at Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility Bremerton, WA.
USS George Philip (FFG-12), sixth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates, was named for Commander George Philip, Jr. (1912-1945). Ordered from Todd Shipyards, San Pedro, CA on 27 February 1976 as part of the FY76 program, George Philip was laid down on 14 December 1977, launched on 16 December 1978, and commissioned on 10 October 1980. Decommissioned on 15 March 2003, as of June 2003 George Philip is in reserve at Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility Bremerton, WA.
The "George Philip" was expected to join the Portuguese Navy in 2006, together with her sister ship FFG-14 "Sides", but meanwhile the Portuguese Navy seems to be dropping the offer and will choose two Dutch Karel Doorman Frigates instead.
Sea - Military - Surface Warfare 
