Aylwin (FF 1081) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS AYLWIN FF-1081 USS AYLWIN (FF-W81), The fourth United States Warship to bear the name, was built by Avondale Shipyards, Inc. of Westwego, LA. Her keel laid on 3 November 1969 she was christened and launched 29 August 1970. The ALYWINS sponsor is Mrs. Charles K. Duncan, wife of Vice Admiral Charles K. Duncan, formerly Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Todays A YL WIN was designed to be a surface platform for Anti-Submarine Warfare, and still maintain the mission versatility demanded of a Man of War. Armed with a 5 54 Caliber gun mount, ASROC, Four Torpedo Tubes, Basic Point Defense Missile System, Harpoon Missile System, Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) and the latest Electronic Sensor Systems available, AYLWIN is a versatile and important asset to the fleet. Her first deployment was to the Mediterranean on 1 December 1972 where she logged nearly 20,000 miles visiting nine foreign countries. On 27 June 1973 AYLWIN returned to her homeport and entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard where she received LAMPS modification. VL W7N deployed her second time to the Middle Last, a trip highlighted by a visit from the Secretary of the Navy and presentation to the engineers of the Golden Snipe Award for Engineering Excellence. Upon her return to Norfolk, A YL WIN continued her tradition of excellence by earning the Squadron Battle E for outstanding combat readiness. A YL WINS third deployment as to the Mediterranean in October 1975 where she visited five countries and participated in a number of Fleet Exercises. A VLVV N returned to Norfolk on 5 May 1976 and soon after entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a ten month overall. Following overhaul A YL WIN underwent a series of training periods and inspections culminated by her deployment to the Mediterranean for a third time on April 4, 1978. Earning awards in Damage Control, Communications, Missile Systems and Electronics Warfare she returned to her new homeport of Charleston in November. V ' L VV7,V departed home once again in August 1979 bound for her second deployment to the Middle East. During this deployment AYLWIN operated with special forces operating off the coast of Iran during the takeover of the American Embassy. She returned for a belated Christmas celebration with family on January 7, 1980. In April .-A V7, U7.V entered the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard for a 12 month overhaul. Upon completion of overhaul AYLWIN underwent a series of examinations and tests preparing for the rigors of Refresher Training conducted in Guanlamino Bay, Cuba.

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AYLWINS OF THE PAST Christened AYLWIN on 10 July 1934 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, (DD-355), the third AYLWIN, was commissioned 1 March 1935. Operating with scouting and battle forces of the Pacific Fleet, AYLWIN was flag ship for Destroyer Division 2, Squadron 1. i4 VL IVWS distinquished battle career began the morning of 7 December 1941, as Japanese dive bombers flew in over Ford Island to attack Battleship Row. Escaping the confines of Pearl Harbor unscathed, A YL WIN continued her good fortune in numerous engagements in the Pacific Theater earning a total of thirteen battle stars with only two crewmembers lost and those to a tropical storm vice enemy fire. When hostilities with Japan came to an end AYLWIN headed east and transited the Panama Canal enroute the New York Naval Shipyard where she was decommissioned 16 October 1945. The second AYLWIN (DD-47), was built by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Commissioned 17 January 1914 she was initially armed with 4 4-inch .50 caliber guns; and 8 18-inch torpedo tubes. In 1917 AYLWIN was used extensively for Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises with submar- ines L-10 and G-1 in local operating areas out of Boston. When America entered World War I, she was first assigned to patrol in the Virginia Capes area protecting vital merchant shipping from possible U-Boat attack. In 1918 she deployed to join British forces and help guard against German submarine menace in approaches to the British Isles. With the signing of the Armistice of 1 1 November 1918 AYLWIN sailed in company with light cruiser Chester (CL-1) to inspect German Baltic seaports. She returned to America in June of 1919 where she participated in brief operations out of Newport, Rhode Island before entering the Philadelphia Navy Yard to join the reserve ' s. She remained in Philadelphia until decommissioned 23 February 1921. Her disposal was the result of the terms of the London Treaty.