George Philip was sponsored by Snow Philip-Simpson, daughter of the ship's namesake, George Philip Jr. at the ship launching on 16 December 1978. George Philip was commissioned 15 November 1980 at Todd Shipyard in San Pedro, California, Commander James L. Turnbull in command.

From November 1980 to June 1981 George Philip conducted sea trials and testing. In June 1981 the ship received the Battle "E" award for excellence.

From July 1982 to February 1983 George Philip deployed for the first time in support of USS Enterprise battle group. On 26 November 1982 Cmdr. Donald F. Berkebile assumed command. George Philip and her crew were awarded a Battle Effectiveness Award for operations during the 18-month period from 1 January 1982 to 30 June 1983.

From September 1984 to March 1985 the ship was deployed in support of U. S. efforts to keep sea lanes open in the Persian Gulf during the height of the Iran-Iraq War. On 15 March 1985 Cmdr. Frank Harold Tryon, Jr. assumed command. In June 1985 the frigate transferred to the Naval Reserve Force (NRF). As a member of the NRF, the focus turns to the training and readiness of Selected Reservists. The ship goes from full manning to 60% manning, with the remainder made up of Reservists. From June 1985 to June 1987 engineering and weapons readiness examinations and inspections were performed along with training for helicopter pilots. On 9 May 1987 Cmdr. Thomas C. Williams, Jr. assumed command.

George Philip underwent an overhaul at Southwest Marine in San Diego, California from December 1987 to June 1989. While in overhaul the ship received major upgrades in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities among which, the ship was fitted with a Tactical Towed Array Sonar (TACTASS).

On 10 June 1989, Cmdr. Dennis Leo Ryan III assumed command. From June 1989 to May 1992 George Philip participated in extensive ASW operations and was used as a test platform for the new ASW equipment.

On 15 June 1991, Cmdr. Alfred W. Mitchell assumed command. From May to August 1992 George Philip was deployed in support of efforts to counter drug traffic from South America to the United States. In August 1992 the ship began a series of independent operations and port visits that included: San Francisco; Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Mazatlán, Mexico. On 20 February 1993, Cmdr. Harold Joseph Flammang, Jr. assumed command.

These operations lasted until July 1994 when George Philip deployed in support of efforts to counter drug traffic from South America to the United States. In October 1994 the frigate was escort to the towing of the retired submarine USS Richard B. Russell to Bremerton Naval Station. On 16 December 1994, Cmdr. Robert Alan Butt assumed command.

George Philip and her crew were awarded a Battle Effectiveness Award for operations in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

On 24 October 1996, Cmdr. Scott Alan Berg assumed command. In November 1997 the ship participated in the Maritime Combined Operational Training (MARCOT) Exercise in the Northern Pacific. From
January to April 1998 George Philip took part in counter-narcotics operations (CNOPS) in the South Pacific. On 24 April 1998, Commander Leland Hart Sebring assumed command.

From March to October 1999 the ship was assigned to the Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Deployment. On 2 November 1999, Commander David W. Glazier assumed command.

George Philip underwent the Dry-Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA 00) at Continental Marine in San Diego from January to March 2000 In April George Philip transited to Alaska. The frigate conducted port visits to Esquimalt, British Columbia and Juneau, Alaska. On 2-8 October 2000 the ship made a port visit to Ensenada, Mexico.

On 10 June 2001, Cmdr. Christopher L. Wall assumed command. George Philip was decommissioned on 15 March 2003, as of June 2003 the ship was in reserve at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Washington.