Recent PHM Operational Experience, Jackson, Jun 1992(0144)
This paper provides an unclassified overview of the U.S. Navy's only squadron of Patrol Hydrofoil Missile Ships (PHMs) operational experience. The PHMs utilization as the U.S. Navy's only homogeneous platform squadron (i.e. no other all FFG or DD squadrons) also will be explored. In addition to operational and personnel tempo statistics, this paper's principal theme will be the squadron's requirement to "serve two masters." The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard each employ this platform's stunning abilities in both warfare and drug interdiction.
Focal points of PHM operations will consist of the 90-day PHM deployment to Grenada, drug interdiction operations (unclassified), warfare operations (unclassified), and operations at a remote site using the Mobile Logistics Support Group (MLSG). Observations on recent operations will be based on not only statistics gathered on voyage reports but personal experience and detailed interviews with ship's captains, squadron staff personnel, and MLSG.