[1] The contract to build Reuben James was awarded on 22 March 1982 to Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California.

Armed with anti-air and anti-ship missiles, an automated three-inch (76 mm) gun, an anti-missile defense system, and two SH-60 Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters, Reuben James was tasked with hunting submarines as well as with battle group escort and maritime interception.

The exercise also promoted interoperability and cooperation with U.S. regional friends and allies by offering a broad spectrum of mutually beneficial training opportunities.

In Malaysia, CARAT 2000 encompassed two weeks of extensive training to promote interoperability between U.S. naval forces and the Royal Malaysian Navy and Army.

On New Year's Day 2003, while in port in Brisbane, Australia, the ship was ordered to turn around and go back to the Persian Gulf[5] and the deployment was extended indefinitely.

[9] On 23 October 2003 the crew of Reuben James dressed ship and manned the rails to render honors to President George W. Bush as he toured Pearl Harbor and visited the USS Arizona Memorial.

[10] From February to April 2004, she deployed to the Eastern Pacific with an embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment in support of counter-narcotics operations.

[16] The strike group relieved USS Tarawa on station in early April 2006 and began its mission of conducting maritime security operations.

During operations, Reuben James performed services such as providing medical assistance to Sri Lankan fishermen[17] and rescuing Kenyan sailors.

Reuben James participated in a Passing Exercises (PASSEX) with the Philippine Navy frigate Gregorio del Pilar off the coast of Hawaii on 30 July 2011.

Reuben James was also awarded the USCG Meritorious Unit Citation for fisheries patrols in the economic exclusion zones of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Nauru.

In some scenes, Reuben James was portrayed in the film by other Oliver Hazard Perry frigates — Wadsworth (now ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko)[23] and Gary (the hull number can be seen as Soviet submariners are in their rafts) The ship was later featured prominently in the 2010 novel by Don Brown entitled Malacca Conspiracy.