Mine Squadron 7, (full: Commander, Mine Squadron 7, or alternately Mine Squadron SEVEN) is the designation for a United States Navy minelaying and retrieval command and unit. COMINRON SEVEN was assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet from some time before 1943 (exact date is unknown) until the unit's decommissioning in 1968. The word Commander in the unit's nomenclature refers both the entire unit, the headquarters section, and to the actual commanding officer.
Mission and responsibilities
Mission of Commander Mine Squadron Seven
The mission and responsibilities of COMINRON SEVEN's command were:
Exercise operational control; coordinate shakedown and refresher training; coordinate activation and inactivation of ships assigned to Mine Squadron 7; conduct type training and support inter-type training for ships of Mine Squadron 7; provide ships and services to other commands; conduct trials and tests of Mine Squadron 7 ships, mines, and equipment; lay, actuate and recover mines; conduct training of personnel assigned; carry out special assignments as directed; emphasize maintenance and repair of Mine Squadron 7 ships and equipment in order to insure a high state of combat readiness; conduct training in defense against atomic (including radiological), bacteriological and chemical warfare and provide forces for search and rescue as required.
Mission of other ships attached to Mine Squadron 7
and were inshore minesweepers. Their mission was to sweep sea mines. They were capable of sweeping magnetic, acoustic, combination magnetic-acoustic and contact sea mines in water as shallow as five fathoms. They operate within the Mine Force as "in service" craft. They also acted as danning ships.
USS Greer County
The mission of was to provide mobile logistic support for minecraft. The ship carried machinery, repair parts, electrical repair parts and tubes, minesweeping spares, GSK material provisions, the ship's store stock, clothing and small stores. The ship also functioned as the flagship for Commander Mine Squadron 7.
USS Mulberry
The mission of was to transport, lay and recover mines and buoys. Mulberry was capable of laying, maintaining and recovering anti-submarine nets and associated harbor defense equipment, and operated as net gate ship.
WWII history
Mine Squadron 7 was established at an unknown date. Records available at this command (located at Long Beach Naval Station) begin January 1943.
In January 1943 Commander Mine Squadron 7, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, and commanded by Captain A. G. Cook, Jr., was composed of approximately thirteen ships of the AM (Minesweeper) and DMS (Destroyer Minesweeper) class. COMINRON SEVEN at this time was undergoing intensive training of fire spotting practice, maneuvers and escort work. The feasibility of these ships for anti-submarine work was being tested and the anti-aircraft armament was being increased.
In June 1944 COMINRON SEVEN was deployed off the shores of France, engaged in minesweeping operations and participated in the invasion of France in June 1944. The squadron lost several ships sunk by mines and torpedoes.
In July 1944 ships of COMINRON SEVEN swept enemy mines along the south coast of England, operating under Commander Task Force 125 and Commander Task Force 129 and further participated in the Bombardment of Cherbourg.
In September 1944 Commander Mine Squadron 7 as Commander Task Unit 80.10.3 composed of Mine Divisions 16 and 21, ten YMSs (Auxiliary Motor Minesweepers), three SCs (Submarine chasers), and twelve LCVPs, operated in the Marseille, France, area carrying out the tasks of harbor clearance and clearance of Port St. Louis, and canal, and other channels and areas.
In October 1944, having completed all clearance commitments at Marseille during September, COMINRON SEVEN continued daily maintenance sweeps of approach channels and anchorage areas.
In November 1944 Commander Mine Squadron 7 operated under Commander 8th Fleet with Mine Division 21 remaining at Bizerte, Tunisia, for maintenance and training while the squadron commander (temporarily aboard ) supervised sweeping operations in the Cannes, Golfe-Juan area, and another group assisted ships of Mine Division 32 in sweeping the Tunisian war channel. At this time COMINRON SEVEN was assigned the additional duty of Commander Escort Sweeper Group, Eighth Amphibious Force.