USS Leader (MSO-490)

USS "Leader" (AM-490/MSO-490) was an "Aggressive"-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

"Leader" ("AM-490") was laid down by J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington, 22 September 1953; launched 15 September 1954; sponsored by Mrs. Norman Wordlund; reclassified "MSO-490" 7 February 1955, and commissioned 16 November 1955, Lt. Comdr. Harvey E. Toponce in command.

Pacific Ocean operations

After shakedown, "Leader" joined Mine Squadron 9 at Long Beach, California, 21 December. During 1956, she performed mine evaluation exercises and tactical training until 1 October when she departed on her first WestPac cruise. Arriving Yokosuka 30 October, she operated with the U.S. 7th Fleet for the next 5 months performing mine warfare exercises in the Far East. Returning home 12 April 1957, the minesweeper resumed mine evaluation tests along the U.S. West Coast; and she continued these operations for the next 2 years.

Cambodia and Vietnam operations

From 1959 through 1968 "Leader" alternated six WestPac cruises with U.S. West Coast mine warfare and mine countermeasure exercises. During her 1961 cruise. "Leader" became the first warship ever to visit the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh when she completed the 180-mile transit up the Mekong River 27 August. On this same cruise she directed South Vietnamese units in minesweep training operations. During her tour with the U.S. 7th Fleet in 1965, "Leader" again operated off South Vietnam, this time under more serious circumstances. From June to August she performed special minesweeping operations and played a major role in the expanded American effort to assist the courageous people of Vietnam in their fight against Communist aggressors. Her tour completed, "Leader" returned to Long Beach 14 December to resume training operations.

Market Time operations

1966 saw an extensive overhaul for the minesweeper, from 9 May to 30 September. After further training and readying for deployment, "Leader" once again sailed for WestPac 6 January 1967. She participated in Market Time operations for the better part of her tour, returning to Long Beach 18 November. She operated locally through the first half of 1968. Then, on 12 August, "Leader" departed Long Beach for another extensive deployment, and continued operating off Vietnam into 1969.

Persian Gulf War service

"Leader" was lifted to the Persian gulf following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. She was loaded aboard the Dutch heavy lift ship Super Servant 3 on 19 August 1990 at Norfolk along with USS Impervious (MSO-449), USS Adroit (MSO-509) and USS Avenger (MCM-1). She was offloaded 5 October, 1990 in the middle east. "Impervious" returned to Norfolk on 14 November 1991 with USS Impervious (MSO-449) and USS Adroit (MSO-509) aboard "Super Servant 4".

Leader was decommissioned on 12 December 1991 and was struck from the Navy list on 18 March 1992. She was sold for scrapping in 1994.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l4/leader-ii.htm
*NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MSO490.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02490.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Leader (MSO 490) - ex-AM-490]