USS Inchon Redesignated For N ew Mine W a r f a r e Mission

Helicopter carrier USS Inchon was redesignated for a new mission as a mine countermeasures command, control and support ship on May 24 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Litton Industries. The ship, which has been at Ingalls undergoing a significant conversion and overhaul for the past 15 months, sailed from the shipyard on May 29. The 602- ft. (183.4-m), 18,340-ton ship has a crew of 650, and will be homeported in Ingleside, Texas.

"What has happened in this ship's conversion represents a revolutionary change," said Radm. J o h n D. Pearson, USN, commander, Mine Warfare Command. "I want to acknowledge the efforts of 'Team Inchon' — Ingalls Shipbuilding, SupShip (Supervisor of Shipbuilding) personnel and the crew of USS Inchon, and emphasize the fantastic work of the hull, mechanical and electrical elements of this shipyard." Ingalls built USS Inchon, and originally delivered the ship in 1970.

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