SUTHERLAND Attacked – The Type 23 Frigate SUTHERLAND on deployment off Djibouti (Somalia) came under attack from supersonic French MIRAGE fighters during a war fighting training exercise.  

After a short visit to the Omani capital of Muscat, the SUTHERLAND headed out into the Gulf of Oman to join US Forces for a three day “submarine hunt” starting with a simultaneous replenishment at sea with the aptly named USNS SUPPLY, an American Fast Combat Support Ship for fuel.    The SUTHERLAND was working with the USNS NITZE an Arleigh Burke class Destroyer and tried to find an American Hunter Killer Submarine lurking somewhere below.   It was a good exercise for WARLOCK (a callsign for) the SUTHERLAND’s embarked MERLIN HM1.