USS McInerney (FFG-8)

USS "McInerney" (FFG-8), second ship of the "Oliver Hazard Perry" class of guided-missile frigates, is the first United States Navy ship 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 15 December 1979.

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-60B helicopter) anti-submarine warfare system and the Recovery Assist, Secure, and Traverse (RAST) system. Her efforts during this period earned her a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

"McInerney"'s first major deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean began in November 1982. During this deployment she embarked a LAMPS Mk-I (SH-2 Seasprite) helicopter detachment. McInerney made brief port visits to Tangiers, Morocco, 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 Tela, 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-I (SH-2 Seasprite) helicopter detachment. During this deployment she visited ports in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan, 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 Commendation. "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, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) 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.

In 1999, the USS McInerney participated in the UNITAS 40-99 deployment to South America.

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.

On September 13, 2008, "McInerney" intercepted a 59-foot self-propelled semisubmersible carrying 7 tons of cocaine off the coast of Guatemala. Four Colombian drug smugglers were captured aboard. The cargo had an estimated street value of $187 million. [McCullough, Amy. " [http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/navy_cocaine_091608w/ Sailors, Coasties nab cocaine-stuffed sub] ". "Navy Times". September 17, 2008. Retrieved on September 17, 2008.]

External links

* [http://www.mcinerney.navy.mil/ USS "McInerney" official website]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0708.htm navsource.org: USS "McInerney"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG8.HTM navysite.de: USS "McInerney"]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/mcinerney_ffg8_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS McInerney FFG-8 pages]