Kimon (CF Adams) class air defense destroyers

Greek Navy: Kimon Class (all transferred from the U.S. Navy following decommissioning) The Greek designation for this type of ship is A/T, for antitorpilliko; roughly, "destroyer."
 

Notes: Leased as part of the Defense Co-Operation Agreement signed with the USA on 8 July 1990. Kimon recommissioned at Salamis, the remainder at San Diego prior to sailing for Greece. A fifth of class Richard E. Byrd (DDG 23) was towed to Salamis on 12 October 1993 where she is used for spares.

Current Status 2/14/2002

Hellenic Navy DDG WITHDRAWAL PLANS

Source: T.L.Valmas

The Hellenic Navy has finalized its plans regarding the quartet of ex-USN Charles F. Adams-class DDGs it received in 1992.  On February 18, 2002, it will withdraw from service HS Themistoklis (D-221),while in 2004, HS
Formion (D-220).  In 2008 and 2010, HS Nearchos (D-219) and HS Kimon (D-218) will be retired respectively. It should be noted, that ex-USS Richard Byrd (DDG 22), also transferred to Greece, was solely used for spares.  Although the HN did not apply an extensive modernization program initially planned, certain upgrades were effected. HS Nearchos retains its SQQ-23 sonar suite, consisting of a keel and a bow sonar, while in the other three, the SQS-23 sonar was replaced by the Raytheon DE-1191.  HS Kimon has a digital Mk 68 gunfire control system and the SYS-2 combat direction system.  As regards the management of the LINK 11 data link, HS Themistoklis retained the USN's JPTDS system, while in two of the other vessels, the HN  installed the MTDS or "mini-DAISY" system. These systems were initially installed on HS Kountouriotis (D-213) and HS Sachtouris (D-214), both Gearing FRAM I destroyers, withdrawn from service in 1995 and 1992 respectively. The MTDS, a stand-alone system, was developed by the HN's Center for Combat Systems Development (ΚΑΣΜ) and Signaal (now Thales Netherlands) and consists of a SMR-μ computer and a three-position horizontal console.

Update 2/18/2002

Despite their age, all four CFAs are kept in the best possible condition.  At this time, HS Kimon D-218 is performing an extensive inspection and repair of her boilers at Souda Naval Base, Crete.  The main problems of the HN, relating to the retention of the CFAs in service, besides their age, are the high manning requirements as well as the steam plant.  The three CFAs are going to be the HN's last steam-powered ships, preceded by numerous ex-USN A.M. Sumner/Gearing-class DDs, transferred in the early '70s and '80s.  If transfer of Spruance-class DDs is effected, the HN is not expected to retain beyond 2002 or 2003 at the latest, its sole Knox-class frigate, HS Ipiros or any of the three CFAs (HS Themistocles D-221 was decommissioned 2/18/2002). 

Update 2/22/2002

Further to the information I sent you, regarding the HN's four CFAs and their expected time in service, I can confirm now that the USN has offered two Spruance-class DDs to Greece. Their expected arrival in country is this summer and a "hot" turnover is planned.  If this is the case, the remaining three CFAs will be withdrawn from service, much sooner than originally planned.

Update 7/31/2002

On July 29,2002, the Hellenic Navy retired HS Ipiros (F-456), ex-USS Connole (F-1056) and HS Formion (D-220), ex-USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16).  The ceremony took place in Souda Bay, Crete, where the two vessels will remain in the decommissioned vessels area, pending disposal plans.  HS Ipiros was the last of the trio of Knox-class frigates transferred to the HN from the US, in the early '90s, to remain in service, up to this day. HS Formion is the second of the quartet of C.F.Adams DDGs transferred from the US, also in the same period, to be withdrawn from service, following HS Themistoklis (D-221), while in service remain HS Kimon (D-218) and HS Nearchos (D-219), ex-USS Semmes and USS Waddell, respectively.

Update 8/11/2002

As regards the remaining two DDGs, I do not think that they will be retired soon, however, I will let you know.  Actually,D-218 will be returned to the Fleet, soon, following an extensive maintenance period at Souda Bay.

Update 3/22/2003
A very interesting development is the withdrawal from service of HS Nearchos in late April 2003.  The information was obtained just yesterday, from my Navy contacts.  The ship's boilers were due for a major overhaul, in Souda Bay Crete, but due to the cost required, it was decided to withdraw the ship from service.
 

Update 4/8/2003

HS Nearchos is sailing for Souda Bay, Crete, on April 14, 2003.  Upon arrival, will commence destoring, while the decommissioning ceremony will take place in May/June 2003, also at Souda Bay, where she will then transfer to the decommissioned vessels' berths.

Update 4/26/2003

The situation, as of today, is as follows : HS Nearchos is at Souda Bay, in the process of destoring.  Given the size of the on-board inventory, the decommissioning date depends on the rate of offloading.  No date has been
given by the Hellenic Navy yet.

Update 6/15/2003

The HS Nearchos D-219 will be decommissioned in Souda Bay, Crete on 7/18/2003.

Update 7/18/2003

HS Nearchos D-219 decommissioned from Hellenic Navy.  Pictures on www.usswaddell.com

Updated 1/29/2004

The HS Themistoklis and Formion, ex-Berkeley and Joseph Strauss respectively, will
be sold for scrap on February 19, 2004.  HS Kimon, the last C.F.Adams DDG in service, world-wide, will be kept in service until late Summer 2004.

Updated 6/24/2004

On June 17,2004, at Souda Bay, Crete, the Hellenic Navy held the decommissioning ceremony of HS Kimon (D-218), its last ex-USN C.F.Adams-class DDG in service. From five DDGs transferred in 1990/1991, four were commissioned in the Hellenic Navy, while the fifth was used solely for spares.In Greek service, HS Kimon, ex-USS Semmes (DDG-18), from September 12,1991 to June 17, 2004, steamed for 16,000 hours, covering over 174,000 n.m. HS Kimon was the world's last C.F.Adams-class DDG in service, while the HN marked also the end of "steam", as all its vessels now in service, are gas turbine or diesel powered.  The HS Kimos (D-218) was decommissioned ahead of schedule as the boilers were up for a major, scheduled, inspection/maintenance, so it was deemed better to proceed to decommissioning.