Navy by the United States Coast Guard. She was commissioned into the U.S. Coast Guard on September 26, 1986, as USCGC AQUIDNECK, with hull number WPB-1309. Her design and construction were oriented toward achieving the lowest possible weight and high speed, thus, the vessel is made of steel, with an aluminum superstructure, having a total displacement of approximately 170 tons. Propulsion is achieved by two PAXMAN VALENTA V16 – 16RP200M engines, enabling a maximum speed of over 30 knots. 

From late 2002 until July 15, 2021, when she was decommissioned as part of the replacement of Island-class patrol vessels, she operated under Task Force 55 to ensure the free flow of commerce through critical maritime routes in the region. 

USCGC AQUIDNECK (WPB-1309) arrived at Salamis on September 1, 2023, and was given her name in accordance with Decision No. 89 of the 24th plenary session of the Supreme Naval Council on Monday, July 3, 2023. She was named after Chief Petty Officer Ektoras Gialopsos, son of Vasileios (service number Υ-1581), and received the hull number P-289. 

A wide range of modernization works was carried out on HS GIALOPSOS, including upgrades to electronic and communication systems, as well as extensive repairs to propulsion and electrical systems at SALAMIS SHIPYARDS until December 20, 2024, when she arrived at Salamis Naval Base. 

On December 23, the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Dendias, signed the ship’s induction into the Hellenic Navy, and the flag-raising ceremony took place on January 20, 2025. 

Ektoras Gialopsos was born in Athens in 1966 and enlisted in the Hellenic Navy 

Non-Commissioned Officers Academy on September 9, 1985. He was promoted to PO Cadet on July 11, 1986, Petty Officer First Class on August 9, 1988, Chief Petty Officer on September 26, 1990, and Senior Chief Petty Officer on September 26, 1993. On March 20, 1995, he obtained certification as a Helicopter Maintenance Technician (AQS-13B) and Helicopter Systems Operator. 

Ektoras Gialopsos was a member of the three-man crew of HN-21 helicopter (Agusta Bell 212), which crashed during the Imia crisis on January 31, 1996. 

He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer (Law 1911/90, para. 2, article 22 in conjunction with article 7 of Law 445/74), “as he lost his life in the helicopter crash in the maritime area of the Eastern Aegean,” and later to the rank of Captain (Government Gazette 514/07-07-2009), “as he lost his life in the execution of duty involving increased risk, clearly and indisputably due to that cause.”