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 was 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.

In 1981, McInerney appears to have been part of Destroyer Squadron 8.

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, Pakistan, Columbo, Sri Lanka, and Mombasa, Kenya. She also crossed the equator en route to Diego Garcia. Following this deployment, McInerney operated in the Caribbean and visited Port Limon, Costa Rica and Tela, Honduras. 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 Djibouti, 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 10-month-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 also performed an abandon ship rescue when the keel of sinking motor vessel Jenneastar cracked and sank. 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, McInerney participated in the UNITAS 40–99 deployment to South America UNITAS along with the Samuel B. Roberts FFG-58 XXXV.

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 13 September 2008, McInerney, working with Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404, intercepted a 59-foot self-propelled semisubmersible carrying seven 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.

On 5 October 2009, McInerney left Mayport Naval Station on its final deployment.

On 3 April 2010, an MQ-8 Fire Scout from McInerney helped to confiscate 60 kg of cocaine from a speedboat.

Pakistan Transfer
In September 2008 the US Congress approved the transfer of the frigate to Pakistan with a delivery date of August 2010. Citing the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, Pakistan is considered a "major non-NATO ally", able to receive older unneeded US military equipment. Additionally, the 32-year old frigate will be given a US$65 million refurbishment including anti-submarine capability paid for with foreign military aid provided by the U.S. to friendly countries.

PNS Alamgir will receive a mostly mechanical overhaul, which has to be conducted in the US as part of the deal. All four diesels were removed and overhauled, along with air conditioning units and refrigeration. Fuel oil tanks and voids were cleaned, inspected, repaired and painted. All shafting was removed and renovated. The controllable pitch propeller system was overhauled. Sea valves were removed and either repaired or replaced, and almost every pump was opened and inspected and overhauled as needed. Ventilators and fans went through a similar process of inspection and overhaul. Breakers, NR3 switchboard, windlass, and boat davit all got inspections and overhauls. Completely new equipment includes a new navigation suite and bridge, the composite dome over the fully overhauled AN/SQS-56 sonar, and a VIP cabin.

The crew of PNS Alamgir moved aboard in December 2010, and are being qualified in firefighting and damage control, PMS and 3-M, and trained to U.S. Navy PQS standards. Sea trials are expected in mid-late January 2011, with a goal of sailing PNS Alamgir away on 10 February 2011. On 24 March 2011 it docked in the British North Atlantic territory of Bermuda.

Incidents
On 21 January 2011 the ship was damaged while testing its engines, this resulted in heavy damage to the bow as well as to the pier. The hull of the ship was reported to be crumpled.