First woman to command a naval ship

In December 1990, Lieutenant Darlene Iskra became the first woman to command a US naval vessel, USS Opportune, a rescue and salvage ship. On 10 June 1998, Commander Maureen A Farren became the first woman to command a combattant ship, taking charge of USS Mount Vernon, a dock landing ship. In June 2010, Rear Admiral Nora Tyson of the US Navy became the first woman to command a carrier strike group, while the first woman to be selected for command of her own fighting warship is believed to be Lieutenant Commander Sarah West of the British Royal Navy, who will assume command of the British frigate, HMS Portland, in April 2012. The ship carries Harpoon and Sea Wolf missiles, as well as Stingray torpedoes and various types of gun.