The guided-missile frigate USS Curts was decommissioned Friday in a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego. The vessel, dubbed ".38 Special" by its first crew, served in Operation Desert Storm and deployed on anti-smuggling missions. The nickname is derived from its hull number, FFG 38. In the Persian Gulf War, crew members captured an Iraqi garrison on Qaruh Island, taking 51 Iraqi prisoners. The Curts crew also destroyed mines, sank an Iraqi minelayer and supported combat helicopter operations during the Battle of Bubiyan Island. ... The Navy is gradually paring down the numbers of Oliver Perry-class frigates in favor of...