USS McInerney (FFG-8)
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| Missing image USS_McInerney;mciflagfly.JPG USS McInerney (FFG-8) | |
| Career | 
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|---|---|
| Ordered: | 27 February 1976 |
| Laid down: | 16 January 1978 |
| Launched: | 4 November 1978 |
| Commissioned: | 19 November 1979 |
| Status: | Template:Active in service |
| Homeport: | NS Mayport, Florida |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 4,100 tons (4,170 t) full load |
| Length: | 453 ft (138.1 m), overall |
| Beam: | 45 ft (13.7 m) |
| Draft: | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines generating 41,000 shp (31 MW) through a single shaft and variable-pitch propeller |
| Speed: | 29+ knots (54+ km/h) |
| Range: | 5,000 nm (9,300 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h) |
| Complement: | 15 officers and 190 enlisted, plus SH-60 LAMPS detachment of roughly six officer pilots and 15 enlisted maintainers |
| Armament: | One OTO Melara Mk 75 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun; one Mk 13 Mod 4 single-arm launcher for Harpoon anti-ship missiles and SM-1MR Standard anti-ship/air missiles (40 round magazine); two Mk 32 triple-tube (324 mm) launchers for Mark 46 torpedoes; one Vulcan Phalanx CIWS; four .50-cal (12.7 mm) machine guns. |
| Aircraft: | 2 × SH-60 LAMPS III helicopters |
| Motto: | "Fast, Fearless, and Gallant" |
USS McInerney (FFG-8), second ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates, was named for Vice Admiral Francis X. McInerney (1899–1956). Ordered from Bath Iron Works on 27 February 1976 as part of the FY75 program, McInerney was laid down on 16 January 1978, launched on 4 November 1978, and commissioned on 19 November 1979.
| Contents |
1980s
McInerney’s mission is to provide multi-threat protection for military and merchant shipping, amphibious task forces and underway replenishment groups. During her first two years of service, McInerney was the US Navy test platform for the LAMPS MK-III(SH-60 helicopter) anti-submarine warfare system and the Recovery Assist, Secure, and Traverse (RAST) system. Her efforts during this period earned her a Meritorious Unit Citation.
McInerney's first major deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean began in November 1982. During this deployment she embarked a LAMPS Mk-II (SH-2 Seasprite) helicopter detachment. McInerney made brief port visits to Tangiers, Morrocco, and Catania, Sicily and supported the Multi-National Force in Beirut, Lebanon (earning her the Navy Expeditionary Medal). After transiting the Suez Canal, McInerney operated in the Indian Ocean and made port calls to Karachi, Pakastan, Columbo, Sri Lanka, and Mombasa, Kenya. She also crossed the equator enroute to Diego Garcia. Following this deployment, McInerney operated in the Caribbean and visited Port Limon, Costa Rica and Tele, Hondurus. She received the Coast Guard Operational Meritorious Unit Citation for her efforts in law enforcement during this period.
In October 1984, McInerney deployed again to the Middle East in the midst of the Iran/Iraq Tanker War. She had now been fitted with the Phalanx CIWS and also carried a LAMPS Mk-II (SH-2 Seasprite) helicopter detachment. During this deployment she visited ports in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Palma, Spain. McInerney returned from this cruise in March 1985, and conducted law enforcement operations and other fleet exercises. In May 1986, McInerney began a year-long overhaul (extended Selected Restricted Availability) in Boston, MA. During this yard period she received the AN/SQQ-89(V)2 Anti-Submarine Warfare Suite, fin stabilizers, and the Single Audio System. The RAST equipment was also reinstalled and made operational.
In August 1988, McInerney was underway for her third deployment— this one to the Mediterranean. This deployment was highlighted by McInerney being awarded the COMSIXTHFLT “Hook ‘Em” Award for excellence in Anti-Submarine Warfare and a Meritorious Unit Citation. McInerney returned from the Mediterranean in February 1989, and departed for the Northern Atlantic in the spring of 1989. Anti-Submarine Warfare operations led the McInerney above the Arctic Circle, and McInerney returned to Mayport in May 1989.
1990s
McInerney deployed to the Middle East in January 1991 and was awarded her second “Hook ‘Em” Award after a brief ASW operation in the Mediterranean Sea. McInerney then entered the Persian Gulf in support of coalition forces against Iraq. McInerney performed in every warfare area during the conflict, including convoy escort, mine, anti-air and anti-surface operations. McInerney earned the Navy Unit Commendation, the National Service Defense Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star and the Kuwait Liberation Medal for her wartime service.
The ship returned from the Middle East in July 1991 after escorting more than 50 merchant vessels through the mine-swept waters to Kuwait ports. Her continued, proven prowess earned her the Battle “E” for efficiency, and the COMNAVSURFLANT ASW Award, designating her as the top AN/SQQ-89-configured ASW platform on the East Coast. McInerney’s humanitarian efforts include assisting the tug Taurus in the Jacksonville Operating Area, transferring a wounded merchant seaman during the Tanker War, rescuing Sailors from the sinking motor vessel Jenneastar in the Mediterranean and escorting merchant ships carrying needed supplies to the ports of Kuwait through mine-swept channels in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm.
2000s
McInerney completed a highly successful SOUTHCOM Counter-Drug Operations Deployment in November 2001. The highlight of the deployment was a drug bust of an Ecuadorian fishing vessel in which nearly 10 tons of cocaine were seized. For her efforts throughout the deployment, McInerney was awarded the Humanitarian Award and the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation.
As of February 2005 she remains active, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported at NS Mayport, Florida.
McInerney (FFG-8) is the first ship of that name in the US Navy.
External links
- USS McInerney official website (http://www.mcinerney.navy.mil/)
- navsource.org: USS McInerney (http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0708.htm)
- navysite.de: USS McInerney (http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG8.HTM)
| Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate |
| United States Navy |
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| Royal Australian Navy |
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| Republic of China Navy |
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| List of frigates of the United States Navy |