Ainsworth (FF 1090) - Naval Cruise Book

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T K- .- jv. I 1 The mission of USS AINSWORTH is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea, worldwide, in sup- port of national interests. She accomplishes the functions of sea control through her specialized configuration as an anti-subma- rine frigate, mounting a variety of electronic and acoustic sensors and weapons. AINSWORTH was named m honor of Vice Admiral Walden Lee Ainsworth, USN. It is the first ship ever to bear the name. Vice Admiral Ainsworth was a distinguished task force commander in the South Pacific Cam- paign of World War II and was known as a destroyerman ' s destroyerman. AINS- WORTH was built by Avondale Shipyards, Inc., of Westwego, Louisiana. She is the thir- teenth ship of the JOSEPH HEWES class of frigates. AINSWORTH was commissioned 31 March 1973 and is manned by 18 officers and more than 260 enlisted personnel. The ship is also capable of performing such other missions as patrol, search and rescue, block- ade, surveillance, shore bombardment, anti- submarine warfare, and anti-air warfare. AINSWORTH is outfitted with some of the most modern electronic equipment for de- tecting ships, submarines, and aircraft. Main features include the ship ' s three sonar sys- tems. One, mounted in the bow of the ship, is capable of gaining surface or subsurface contacts at extremely long ranges. The other two have variable depth capability and are towed astern. AINSWORTH ' S principal armament is the homing torpedo. Placed in the general vicin- ity of an enemy submarine, the torpedo will seek out and destroy its target. The three systems installed on the ship to deliver the torpedo to the target area include: over-the- side torpedo tubes, the ASROC (Anti-sub- marine rocket) launcher, and the LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System), a manned helicopter. Other major armament includes the 5 ' 754 rapid fire gun, having a primary purpose of anti-air and anti-surface warfare. It is also effective for shore bom- bardment in support of forces on beach- heads to several miles inland. The Harpoon anti-ship missile, with over-the-horizon ranges in excess of 50 nautical miles, adds significantly to AINSWORTH ' S fighting capability. In addition to these systems, AINSWORTH has the most up-to-date point defense system, the MK 15 Close-in Weapons System, designed to shoot down incoming missiles. AINSWORTH is powered by a single, five blade propellor driven by steam turbines de- veloping 35,000 shaft horsepower. Featuring automatic combustion control of her boilers, which operate a steam pressures of approxi- mately 1200 pounds per square inch, she is capable of speeds in excess of 27 knots. The ship is 440 feet long, 47 feet wide, with a Navigational Draft of 27 feet.

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The end sheets are reproductions o( the painting Hawk and the Dove by Chesapeake artist Bob Holland. USS AINSWORTH I F 1 ) (I MED EMPLOYMENT 3-85 M ' C S APR -. Introduction Weapons Department LT Denbjm. Weapons Officer Isc. 2nd. rd Divisions Operations Department LT Delmar. LT Chcnon-crh, OperAtions Officer OF. OX ON. OL (X-. OVi Divisions Air Detachment LCDR Lento. OINC HSL i I Df.T SIX Supply Department LT Estes, Supply Officer SXDl. SXOJ Divisions The ports l:n ]neenn Department LT Mizicb. Chief Fn ineer A. B. f, M. R Divisions

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Vice Admiral Pug Ainsworth 1886-1960