JDS Iwase

History
Japan
Name	Iwase (いわせ)
Namesake	Iwase
Ordered	1970
Builder	Mitsui, Tamano
Laid down	6 August 1971
Launched	29 June 1972
Commissioned	12 December 1972
Decommissioned	6 October 1998
Homeport	Sasebo
Identification	Pennant number: DE-219
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Class and type	Chikugo-class destroyer escort
Displacement	1,700–1,800 long tons (1,727–1,829  t) full load
Length	93.0 m (305 ft 1 in)
Beam	10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Draught	3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Depth	7.0 m (23 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	CODAD propulsion system 2 × shafts, 4 × diesel engines (16,000 hp, 12,000 kW)
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range	5,500 nmi (10,200 km; 6,300 mi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	165
Sensors and processing systems	TDS-1 Target Designation System OPS-14 2D air search radar OPS-17 surface search radar FCS-1B gun FCS OQS-3A bow sonar SQS-35(J) VDS SFCS-4 Underwater Battery FCS
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLR-5 ESM
Armament	2 × 3"/50 caliber guns 2 × 40 mm AA guns 1 × ASROC ASW missile launcher 2 × triple 324 mm ASW torpedo tubes

JDS Iwase (DE-219) was the fifth ship of the Chikugo-class destroyer escorts of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Development and design

The Chikugo class was designed as the modified variant of the Isuzu class, the preceding destroyer escort class. The main anti-submarine (ASW) weapon was changed from the M/50 375 mm (14.8 in) ASW rocket launcher to the ASROC anti-submarine missile. The octuple launcher for ASROC was stationed at the mid-deck, and the entire ship design was prescribed by this stationing. ^[1]

Construction and career

Iwase was laid down on 6 August 1971 at Mitsui Engineering & SHipbuilding, Tamano and launched on 29 June 1972. The vessel was commissioned on 12 December 1972 into the 34th Escort Corps of the Sasebo District Force.

On August 2, 1981, during an exhibition training at Goto-nada, the front lid of a left-sided short torpedo launcher blew in the south of Otate Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, due to an explosion of compressed air, injuring three viewers. ^[2]

On March 20, 1982, she departed Etajima with 50 first-time lieutenants from the 34th flight executive candidate course, leading JDS Mikuma and JDS Michishio as flagships for voyage training toward Guam.

On May 13, 1985, the Soviet Navy Kashin-class destroyer was discovered by Iwase, 70 km northwest of Fukue Island, Nagasaki Prefecture.

On March 24, 1987, she was reorganized into the 31st Maizuru District Force Escort Corps and transferred to Maizuru.

On June 20, 1991, she was reorganized into the 34th Sasebo District Force Escort Corps and transferred to Sasebo again.

On March 19, 1994, 65 graduates of the 46th flight executive candidate course departed for practical training in the Philippines, along with JDS Chikugo and JDS Nadashio. After passing through Chichijima Futami, Guam Island Appla, Philippines Manila, and Okinawa Katsuren, she returned to Sasebo on June 27.

Reorganized into the 23rd Sasebo District Force Escort Corps on March 24, 1997.

On August 29, 1997, she arrived at Naha Port with JDS Tone. On September 1 of the same year, she participated in the Okinawa Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Drill with JDS Sawakaze and JDS Tone.

Removed from the register on October 16, 1998.

References

1. Abe, Yasuo (May 2003). "Looking back on Chikugo class escort vessels". Ships of the World (in Japanese). Kaijinn-sha (610): 92–97.
2. Japanese Ship Accidents, World Ships, No. 528. Gaijinsha. September 1997. p. 81.