Originally USCGC Chase (WHEC-718) of the United States Coast Guard, she was laid down on October 26, 1966, at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, launched on May 20, 1967, and commissioned on March 11, 1968.

Her crossing range of 9,600 nautical miles (17,800 km) at 20 knots (40 km/h), and 80-foot (24 m) flight deck, capable of handling both Coast Guard and Navy helicopters, making Chase a platform for extended patrol missions.

Her missions included enforcement of all U.S. maritime laws and treaties, fisheries conservation, marine pollution response, defense readiness, and search and rescue.

Two 13-foot (4 m) diameter controllable pitch propellers, combined with a retractable and rotatable bow propulsion unit, giving Chase high maneuverability.

A closed circuit TV system will enable the commanding officer to monitor flight deck operations, machinery conditions, towing, damage control, and related activities from the bridge.

In 1976 Chase was in the Mediterranean on a cadet cruise during the then on-going Lebanon Crisis which culminated in the U.S. naval evacuation of nationals from Beirut (Operation Fluid Drive), led by the attack aircraft carrier USS America after the assassination of two U.S. officials there.

In 1989, Chase was temporarily decommissioned and entered Bath Ironworks Shipyard in Portland, Maine, to undergo the Fleet Renovation and Modernization (FRAM) program.

Approximately seventy five percent of the shipboard electronics were changed or modified; a third of the existing engineering systems were overhauled or replaced; and major internal space reconfigurations improved the crew's living conditions.

In 1995, Chase boarded the M/V Xin Ji Li Hou off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, and interdicted 150 Chinese migrants.

Between April and June 1997, Chase was leading the way again by being the first Coast Guard cutter to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT 97) held in Southeast Asia.

Chase received the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation from Vice Admiral Card for the boarding and custody exchange of the high seas driftnet vessel CAO YU.

During this patrol, Chase diverted four vessels in violation of United Nations Sanctions against Iraq, interdicted 1,527,740 gallons of fuel-oil, and conducted eighty-six gunnery exercises.

There, Chase earned an overall EXCELLENT during its Tailored Ship's Training Availability, and was awarded the Distinguished Coast Guard Battle "E" Ribbon.