Transfer To Spain To Fight Piracy
In 1978 Spain ratified a new constitution, and was now a newly free democratic state. The USA had pledged the new government their support, as free Spain now faced political and economic threats.
On 17 May 1978, the Leary once again took to the sea and was loaned to Spain to protect the new Spanish democracy. She was renamed the SPS Langara (D64) and took her place amongst the Spanish Navy.
She was aggressive in Spain's battle to suppress piracy and smuggling, which were very serious threats from opponents of the new free Spanish government. After Spain joined NATO, the destroyer found herself once again serving alongside other United States naval vessels.
Langara spent the next fourteen years serving with NATO and insuring the survival of the new Spanish democracy until the effects of age overcame the ship. In 1992, she was stricken and scrapped by Spain after a marathon 47 years of service on the Earth's oceans, having protected two democracies and visited every sea at least once.
Read more about this topic: USS Leary (DD-879)
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