Cyclone was laid down at Bollinger Shipyards, in Lockport, Louisiana, on 22 June 1991; and sponsored by Ms. Betty LeMoyne, wife of Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, Rear Admiral Irve C.

The ship's operational capabilities were designed to meet the unique requirements of its Special Warfare missions.

In high-speed, hard-over turns, the ship barely heeled as the automatic stabilizers engaged.

She was then transferred to the United States Coast Guard the next day, being re-commissioned as the USCGC Cyclone (WPC 1).

She was rechristened BRP Mariano Alvarez (PS-38), in honor of a revolutionary general in the Philippine war of independence against Spain.