Sinkex
The ex-USS Towers (DDG-9) sinks beneath the Pacific — 115 nautical miles southwest of San Clemente Island.
The SINKEX started on 08 October 2002 when she was struck by one SM-1 missile, one Hellfire missile, and one Harpoon missile. Ex-TOWERS remained floating high throughout the night.
On 09 October the ship experienced a near miss with a SLAM-ER missile and was struck at least twenty times with 76mm gun ammunition. The last shot was fired at 091512T and ex-TOWERS sank by the bow at 091547T.
All exterior action photos were taken from USS SIDES (FFG 14) by PHAN Andrew Betting, Fleet Imaging Command Pacific, Det San Diego. Interior photos taken just prior to the exercise were provided courtesy of Ray Wong.
She went down as she had lived — under fire, on station, remembered by those who walked her decks.
Action photos
From USS Sides during the Sinkex — click any photo to enlarge.
Interior — just prior to Sinkex
Bridge, CIC, mess decks, and spaces photographed before the exercise.