1980s
Her first years in commission were focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations and Curts was the first pacific fleet unit with the complete SQQ-89 ASW suite. The ship received the meritorious unit commendation for tactical proficiency in the tracking of Soviet submarines in 1987.
In 1988, Curts received the armed forces expeditionary medal for serving with the USS Missouri battle group during Operation Earnest Will in the north Arabian Sea and the gulf of Oman. Additionally, Curts changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, becoming one of the first two FFG's to join the Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF). Curts was first to bring the lamps MK III helicopters to Naval Air Facility, Atsugi.
Read more about this topic: USS Curts (FFG-38)