Made in the U.S.A.
OUELLET arrived at her homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on April 15, 1971, with her first deployment to the Western Pacific commencing on January 27, 1972. OUELLET twice came under hostile fire during this deployment, however no causalities were sustained.
During ceremonies re-establishing the U.S. Third Fleet on February 1, 1973, USS OUELLET became the first Third Fleet flagship since World War II.
OUELLET's final deployment was from March 25th to July 24th, 1992. This Western Pacific Rim journey was her 10th major deployment, and took the OUELLET to the Continent of Australia . While enroute, she participated in "Pacific ASW Exercise 92", and operated with elements of the Australian Navy in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the "Battle of the Coral Sea".
This was her final voyage as a United States Naval Ship, after serving her country proudly for over 20 years. USS OUELLET was decommissioned in August 3, 1993.
As of May, 1998, the former U.S.S. OUELLET serves the Royal Navy of Thailand as H.T.M.S. Phuttaloetla Naphalai, F-462.
Made in the U.S.A.