NORFOLK, Va. — A balky anchor assembly has delayed the final deployment of a Navy frigate.
The USS Kauffman was to sail away Thursday from Naval Station Norfolk for a six-month deployment off Central America, but the Navy says a mechanical issue with the anchor windlass has pushed back its departure until Friday. The windlass hoists the anchor.
The Navy said the repairs to the windlass were underway Thursday night.
Once it is in the waters off Central America, the Kauffman will be part of a multinational, counter-narcotics operation known as Operation Martillo.
When the warship returns, it will be the last frigate in the Navy's inventory to be decommissioned later this fall.
