Throughout the first seven months of 1970 STERETT has been under the command of Captain Claude L. TYLER, USN. Primary operational assignments continue to be the DLG Anti-Air Warfare picket stations in the Gulf of Tonkin and Sea of Japan. The missions of these picket stations, CTU 77.0.1 (Gulf of Tonkin Strike Support Ship), CTU 77.0.2 (Gulf of Tonkin PIRAZ ship), and CTU 71.0.4 (Sea of Japan PARPRO Picket) were described in the STERETT Command History of 1969.
Serving two arduous line periods in the Gulf of Tonkin in January – February and March – April, STERETT played a key role in operational evaluation of various aspects of the Naval Tactical Data System. STERETT had received the NTDS Dynamic Modular Replacement Program in October, 1969, and first employed it in the Gulf of Tonkin in January. In TF 77 operations the DMR/SAMID program provided general versatility and increased program features. For further DMR/SAMID improvement STERETT recommended modification of transient module priority for data extraction module so that data may extracted from any DMR configuration, and a function code or select jump key to control initiation and termination of the transient module.
The DMR program gave STERETT Link 4A capability, and during these four months STERETT participated in a TF 77 Link 4A evaluation. In the two Gulf of Tonkin line periods STERETT conducted a total of 53 hours of successful Link 4A control of F4J aircraft of VF 142 and 143 from USS CONSTELLATION. The evaluation included 87 coupled intercepts, 15 voice-aided intercepts, and 831 fly-to-point maneuvers. STERETT originated program trouble reports which resulted in enhancement of program reliability, correction or aircraft heading readout difficulties, and elimination of irregularities in the angle of bank readout. In March – April the use of Link 4A to control F4J aircraft became routine.
During the January – February deployment as Strike Support Ship STERETT participated in the introduction of improved operational security measures for manned reconnaissance missions, code name BLUE TREE, over North Vietnam. Normally the Strike Support Ship in the Gulf of Tonkin control the RESCAP, MIGCAP, FORCAP, and SAR Helos supporting these missions and flight follows the actual reconnaissance aircraft and her fighter and flak suppression escorts. Since the bombing halt in November, 1968, BLUE TREE missions had flown highly stereotyped mission profiles. The coordination of the missions on open voice circuits and the pre-stationing of SAR helos before the mission aircraft reach North Vietnamese airspace alerted the enemy far in advance to the impending mission. In January CTF 77 directed improved operational security measures, including mission profiles, check-in of the marshaled mission package on a secure voice net, and delayed stationing of the SAR helos from the Strike Support Ship. On 27 January STERETT controlled aircraft from the first BLUE TREE mission employing these new procedures.
While on SSS Station on 19 January STERETT received three distinguished visitors: Assistant Secretary of the Navy Frank P. SANDERS, COMSEVENTHFLT VADM William F. BRINGLE, and Representative William S. MAILLIARD, RADM, USNR. The VIP’s were briefed on the mission of DLG Anti-Air Warfare pickets in the Gulf of Tonkin and technical support and maintenance of NTDS. Representative MAILLIARD talked with STERETT crewmembers from his constituency.
Upon relief as Strike Support Ship on 6 February STERETT proceeded to Hong Kong for a five-day visit. During this visit the ship hosted an orphans tour, including refreshments, cartoons, and courtesy gifts.
In the results of the CRUDESPAC Battle Efficiency Competition announced in March, STERETT won the Green "E" for Operations, the White "E" for Missiles, the Red "E" for Engineering, and the Blue "E" for Supply. Congratulatory messages were received from COMSEVENTHFLT and COMCRUDESFLOT ELEVEN.
The next at sea period began with ten days on the Sea of Japan PARPRO picket station. During this line period USAF 314th Air Division F-106’s from Osan Air Base under STERETT positive control intercepted six Soviet Badger aircraft and one Soviet Mail seaplane on ASW patrol. When STERETT was relieved by USS RICHMOND K. TURNER on 10 March, the turnover was shadowed by a Soviet PETYA Class PCE, hull number 857. The PETYA had been on patrol at the Soviet Korean Straits station and followed the TURNER to TU 71.0.4.
The next day STERETT, enroute to the Gulf of Tonkin, sighted a fishing boat north of Taiwan flying the Republic of Korea ensign. The boat, later identified as BT 22210, was adrift with its engine inoperative and making frantic visual signals for assistance. STERETT immediately transferred food and fuel to the distressed craft, a vessel of some fifty feet with a crew of seven. STERETT sent urgent message requests for additional assistance to COMNAVFORKOREA, who eventually arranged a commercial tow for the crippled fishing vessel. Having rendered all appropriate assistance, STERETT proceeded through the Taiwan Straits as a unit of TG 72.1. Since January service on the Taiwan Straits patrol had become routine for STERETT while in transit from the Gulf of Tonkin to Japan.
After a brief stop in Subic Bay, STERETT proceeded to duty as the Gulf of Tonkin PIRAZ Ship (CTU 77.0.2). Among the significant eve3nts of this line period was the one thousandth helo landing on STERETT’s deck, which occurred on 23 March. The pilots of the daily Gulf Logistics Helo were surprised by a cake cutting ceremony at which the STERETT’s Commanding Officer, Captain Claude L. TYLER, presided.
The Gulf of Tonkin DLG AAW pickets normally operate with a DD escort. From 5 –14 April STERETT operated at a modified PIRAZ station 20NM from the North Vietnamese coast with the USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG-5), COMSEVENTHFLT embarked, as her escort. The patrol area was opposite the Bai Thuong Airfield, which at that time was the base for three MIG-21’s and three MIG-19’s. OKLAHOMA CITY had EMCON set to simulate the normal DD escort and STERETT passed track information on hostile aircraft over North Vietnam to the TALOS ship via the Navy RED secure voice (KY-8) net and the NTDS Link 14 teletype. Although this missile trap was well-conceived, there was no MIG activity over Bai Thuong during this period.
Returning to Japan, STERETT sighted the Soviet ASR GIDROLOG engaged in Exercise OKEAN on 22 April. During the brief upkeep period in Yokosuka which followed, COMCRUDESPAC, RADM PLATE, visited STERETT and COMDESRON THREE embarked. On 27 April officers of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force toured STERETT for orientation on current USN weapons systems. STERETT departed Yokosuka on 2 May and proceeded to the Gulf of Tonkin via the Taiwan Straits. On 3 May the ship commenced a full period STROFAC termination, an innovation which has greatly improved the speed, stability, continuity, and reliability of STERETT’s communications. During the ensuing tour as Strike Support Ship, STERETT supported 13 BLUE TREE reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam. From 23 to 27 May COMDESRON THREE embarked served as Force Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator for TF 77. On the return trip to Yokosuka STERETT visited Keelung, Republic of China and Kobe, Japan, which afforded easy access to EXPO 70.
STERETT concluded her WESTPAC deployment with an assignment to CTU 71.0.4 from 28 June to 17 July. Due to the standdown in Sea of Japan operations, STERETT was able to spend a week of this period in Sasebo, Japan. While transiting the Korean Straits STERETT sighted the Soviet RIGA Class DE hull number 807.
STERETT departed Yokosuka for transit to CONUS on 29 July 1970 in formation with six other ships of DESRON THREE. COMDESRON THREE was embarked as CTU 70.0.3.
On 1 August 1970 Commander, Destroyer Squadron THREE chopped from Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet to Commander, U.S. First Fleet and was designated Commander, Task Unit 15.9.4. Enroute the Squadron made a three day port call in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from 6 August 1970 to 9 August 1970. On 13 August 1970, while enroute to San Diego, California Captain Jack HILTON relieved Captain Claude L. TYLER as Commanding Officer, USS STERETT (DLG 31).
The highlight of the ocean transit was STERETT’s arrival in San Diego. Serving as Flagship to Commander, Destroyer Squadron THREE, STERETT led six destroyers into San Diego harbor. Amidst the hundreds of family members and friends on hand waiting at the pier was Senator George MURPHY of California, Rear Admiral Douglas C. PLATE, Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Forces, Pacific, and Rear Admiral Arthur G. ESCH, Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla ELEVEN.
A notable feature of DESRON THREE’s entry into San Diego, was the display of the "Homeward Bound Pennant" on each of the six ships. This entry marked the end of an era for which the proud and uniquely Naval symbol of a long and arduous deployment would be flown from so many ships. STERETT’s homeward bound pennant measured 306 feet. In keeping with tradition, the Commanding Officer received the blue field of the pennant and each eligible officer and man on board received one foot. Captain Jack HILTON, the new Commanding Officer, presented Captain Claude L. TYLER, the departing Commanding Officer and several STERETT plank owners with their symbolic pennant segments.
Upon arrival in CONUS, STERETT commenced a leave and upkeep period prior to the scheduled regular overhaul. On 16 September 1970 STERETT hosted a one-day Navy League Cruise off San Diego for 35 persons.
STERETT arrived at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard on 15 October 1970 to commence the ship’s first regular overhaul. This was destined to be an important overhaul in that STERETT was to receive the conversion to Navy Distillate Fuel, a third NTDS computer and the Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD-70) system. Representing the next generation improvement in defense against the ASCM threat, the ASMD-70 installation was the first for a DLG class. Its complexity presented a clear challenge to the Combat Systems Team of STERETT as well as the installing and testing activities.
The first two months of the overhaul were highlighted by two Christmas parties of all STERETT Dependent Children. The parties were held on 19 December 1970 on board STERETT in Long Beach and at the First and Second Class Petty Officer’s Club in San Diego.