About this Unit
USS McInerney (FFG-8) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1979. Named after Vice Admiral Francis X. McInerney, the ship served primarily in anti-submarine warfare roles and participated in multiple operations, including drug interdiction patrols in the Caribbean and support for Middle East operations. During its service, USS McInerney was notable for being the first ship of its class to be equipped with the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter. After over 30 years of active service, the frigate was decommissioned in 2010 and transferred to the Pakistan Navy, where it was renamed PNS Alamgir (F-260).
Historical Facts
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First of Her Class: USS McInerney (FFG-8) was the second ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigates, but she was the first to be constructed with the lengthened flight deck and hangar to support SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, effectively setting the standard for later ships in the class.
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Namesake: The ship was named after Vice Admiral Francis Xavier McInerney, a distinguished World War II destroyer commander and later a Vice Admiral who served in various key posts including as Commander, First Fleet.
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Commissioned in 1979: McInerney was commissioned on December 15, 1979, at Bath, Maine, with Mrs. Francis X. McInerney, the late admiral’s widow, serving as the ship’s sponsor.
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Counter-Narcotics Operations: In the 1990s and 2000s, USS McInerney became heavily involved in counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, playing a key role in intercepting drug smuggling vessels.
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Rescue at Sea: In 2003, McInerney rescued 16 Ecuadorians from a sinking fishing vessel in the Eastern Pacific, demonstrating the Navy’s humanitarian role in addition to its combat missions.
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First to Use LAMPS III: She was the first ship fitted with the SQQ-89(V)2 Sonar Suite and LAMPS Mk III (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System), which greatly enhanced her anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
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Longest Serving Perry: By the time of her decommissioning, McInerney was the longest-serving Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in the U.S. Navy, marking over 30 years of active service.
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Transfer to Pakistan: After decommissioning on August 31, 2010, the ship was transferred to the Pakistan Navy and recommissioned as PNS Alamgir (F260), where she remains in service.
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Missile Shootdown: During her service, McInerney was involved in several live-fire exercises, successfully launching and intercepting missiles, helping to validate the capabilities of the Perry-class design.
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Celebrity Visit: In 2005, actor Harrison Ford visited USS McInerney as part of a USO tour, boosting crew morale during operational deployment.
