Action News Jax Exclusive: USS Simpson to be decommissioned

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By Lorena Inclán

MAYPORT, Fla. — There's a major transition happening right now at Naval Sation Mayport which will mark the end of an era.

The USS Simpson is the last frigate to be decommissioned at Mayport to make room for a newer class of ships called littoral combat ships.

The paintings that once adorned the walls of the USS Simpson are now in bubble wrap ready to be packed away.

Walk in the hallways, and there's an eerie silence for a ship that was once home to more than 200 sailors.

Commanding Officer Casey Roskelly took Action News Jax on a tour, each room carrying its own memory.

“It was a very important ship and it served our country well for 30 years,” Roskelly said.The USS Simpson is one of only two active duty naval ships to sink an enemy vessel with her onboard weaponry.

“That's what we are most notable for,” Roskelly said.

That show of force is evident in the ship's motto: "attack with vigor."

The USS Simpson participated in everything from counter narcotics missions to working with ally nations.

So much work goes into decommissioning a ship of this size. For starters, the sailors have to drain all the fluid on board including having to turn off the AC.

Sailors have worked around the clock to paint exposed metal and leave everything spotless.

Action News Jax went to Wisconsin to see the the USS Little Rock, one of the war vessels called littoral combat ships, which will one day be stationed at Mayport.

“They updated the navigation systems now it's all paperless so it's all electronic we were still paper,” Roskelly said.

But while these newer ships bring upgraded technology and versatility, the frigates are in a class of their own.

“It fulfilled the mission very well.  We did our mission very well and there's really no substitute for what we could provide,” Roskelly said.

As Naval Station Mayport transitions - there's one thing Roskelly said he'll miss the most.

“It's the people that you always miss,” Roskelly said.

Many of the former USS Simpson sailors will stay in Mayport while others will receive orders for a different ship.

The official decommissioning ceremony will be held on Sept. 29.