The ship's operational capabilities were designed to meet the unique requirements of special warfare missions.

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

[1][2] As of January 2018, USS Tornado was the only Cyclone-class patrol ship that still uses the MK38 25 mm Mod 1 Gun System.

In May 2019, Tornado participated in Fleet Week being docked at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Tornado was decommissioned on 18 February 2021 and is currently awaiting sale to a foreign military partner at the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia.