Ships of the Mine Force
These are some of the ships of the U.S. Navy Mine Force.
USS AAron Ward (DM-34)
The third ship named USS Aaron Ward in honor of Rear Admiral Aaron Ward was a Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayer in the service of the United States Navy.
The U.S. Navy destroyer-minelayer USS Aaron Ward (DM-34) in the Kerama Retto anchorage, 5 May 1945, showing damage received when she was hit by several Japanese suicide planes off Okinawa on 3 May. Note the three-bladed aircraft propeller lodged in her superstructure, just forward of the after 5″/38 twin gun mount.
Minemen aboard the AARON WARD who perished on 3 May 1945 were:
ARMOND, M. J., MN1
FOLLETT, R.R., MN2
RAWLINS, J.B., MN3
ZOLOGA, J.E., MN2
USS Motive (AM-102)
USS Motive (AM-102) was an Auk-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy during World War II. She earned three battle stars for World War II service. She was decommissioned in 1946 and placed in reserve where she remained until struck from the Naval Vessel Register in December 1966.
Honours and awards: 3 battle stars (World War II)
MSO/MSC/MSI
MCM
LCS
The Aggressive-class minesweepers are a class of US-built minesweepers. They are designated as MSO (Mine Sweeper Ocean), distinguishing them from the smaller coastal MSCs and inshore MSIs. Besides the US Navy, this class of vessels has also been used by the Belgian Navy and the Norwegian Navy, among others.
Reference – Wikipedia
Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships are a class of 14 ships constructed for the United States Navy from 1987 to 1994, designed to clear mines from vital waterways. The ships have the hull designator MCM.
Reference – Wikipedia
The littoral combat ship (LCS) is a set of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for operations near shore by the United States Navy. It was “envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals.”
The Freedom class and the Independence class are the first two LCS variants. Each has the capabilities of a small assault transport, including a flight deck and hangar for housing two SH-60 or MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, a stern ramp for operating small boats, and the cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with fighting vehicles to a roll-on/roll-off port facility. They are also equipped with autonomous air, surface, and underwater vehicles.
Reference – Wikipedia
Types of Minecraft
Countermeasure ships employed by the U.S. NAVY in early years and today.
Designators and description
ACM Auxiliary Minelayer AM Minesweeper (WW-II built —-steel hull) AM Minesweeper (Post war—wooden hull)
AMC Coastal Minesweeper AMCM Airborn Mine Countermeasures AMCU Minehunter
AMH Minesweeper Habor AMS Motor Minesweeper (WW-II built ex-yms) AMS Motor Minesweeper (Post war wooden hull)
CM Minelayer Cruiser CMC Coastal Minelayer DM Minelayer Destroyer
DMS Minesweeper Destroyer MCM Mine countermeasure MCS Mine warfare Command and Support Ship Countermeasure
MHA Minelayer Auxiliary MHC Minehunter Coastal MM Minelayer Fleet
MMA Minelayer Auxiliary MMC Minelayer Coastal MMD Minelayer Fast
MMF Minelayer Fleet MSA Minesweeper Auxiliary MSB Minesweeping Boat
MSC Coastal Minesweeper MSD Minesweeper Drone MSF Minesweeper Fleet
MSI Minesweeper Inshore MSL Minesweeper Launch MSM Minesweeper River
MSO Minesweeper Ocean MSR Minesweeper Patrol MSS Minesweeper Special
SM Minelayer Submarine YMP Motor Mineplanter YMS Motor Minesweeper (Yard Minesweeper)