JDS Asakaze (DDG-169) is the second ship of the Tachikaze-class destroyer built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

JS Asakaze underway during Fleet Review 2006.
History
Japan
Name	Asakaze (あさかぜ)
Namesake	Asakaze (1922)
Builder	Mitsubishi, Nagasaki
Laid down	27 May 1976
Launched	15 October 1977
Commissioned	27 March 1979
Decommissioned	12 March 2008
Homeport	Sasebo (1976-1995) Yokosuka (1995-2008)
Identification	Pennant number: DDG-169
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Type	Tachikaze-class destroyer
Displacement	3,850 long tons (3,910 t) standard 3,950 long tons (4,010 t) (DDG170)
Length	143 m (469 ft 2 in)
Beam	14.3 m (46 ft 11 in)
Draft	4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) (DDG170)
Propulsion	2 × Mitsubishi steam turbines, 60,000 hp (45,000 kW) 2 shafts
Speed	32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Complement	250; 230 (DDG168); 255 (DDG170)
Armament	2 × 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun (DDG168 ×1) 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 1 × Mk 13 missile launcher (for the Standard-MR SAM) 8 × Boeing Harpoon SSM 1 × Type 74 launcher for the ASROC 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes

Development

Tachikaze-class destroyers were designed almost exclusively as anti-aircraft platforms. No helicopter facilities are provided, and the ASW armament is confined to ASROC missiles and Mk 46 torpedoes. In order to save on construction costs the class adopted the propulsion plant and machinery of the Haruna-class destroyers.[1]

Construction and career

She was laid down on the 27 May, 1976 in Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki. She was launched on 15 October 1977, and commissioned on 27 March 1979. She was decommissioned on 12 March 2008.[2][3]

Participated in the Exercise RIMPAC 1982.

From November 2nd to December 2nd, 1982, she participated in the Hawaii dispatch training with the escort vessels JDS Haruna, JDS Shirane and eight P-2Js.

Participated in the Exercise RIMPAC 1984.

From April 25th to July 13th, 1985, participated in the US dispatch training with the escort vessels JDS Shirane and JDS Sawakaze.

Participated in the Exercise RIMPAC 1988.

From June 27th to August 28th, 1991, participated in the US dispatch training with the escort vessels JDS Kurama and JDS Setogiri.

On March 16, 1995, the 64th Escort Corps was newly formed under the 4th Escort Corps group and was incorporated with JDS Tachikaze.

On March 20, 1998, the homeport was transferred to Sasebo.

On July 1, 2002, based on the Act on Special Measures Against Terrorism, he was dispatched to the Indian Ocean with the escort ship JDS Inazuma and returned to Japan on October 29, 2002.

JDS Asakaze succeeded JDS Tachikaze in the flagship role after her decommissioning in 2008.

In October 2009, dismantling was completed at Imari Port. In March 2010, dismantling was completed.

Gallery

• 
  JDS Asakaze entering Pearl Harbor on 19 June 2006.
• 
  JDS Asakaze’s signal bell on display In JMSDF 1st Service School

References

External links

• Military Factory