Cyclone-class patrol ship

The Cyclone-class patrol ships are a class of coastal patrol boats, formerly in service with the United States Navy. Most of these ships, named for weather phenomena, were launched between 1992 and 1994. The primary mission of these ships is coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance, an important aspect of littoral operations outlined in the Navy's strategy, "Forward...From the Sea." These ships also provided full mission support for U.S. Navy SEALs and other special operations forces. Several ships of the class were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for a time and then later returned.
The Cyclone-class ships were assigned to United States Naval Special Warfare Command. Of the 14 ships, nine originally operated out of the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, and four originally operated from the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. These ships provide Naval Special Warfare with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to emergency requirements in a low intensity conflict environment. Six ships were decommissioned and loaned to the Coast Guard. Lead ship Cyclone was on loan from 2000 to 2004, then transferred to the Philippine Navy. Monsoon was loaned to the...