NARRATIVE OF EVENTS FOR 1976
USS STERETT began the year at the Sembawang Shipyard, Singapore for a holiday leave and upkeep period. On 5 January, STERETT departed Singapore enroute to Sattahip, Thailand. The transit to Sattahip found STERETT crossing the Equator, which summoned a call from King NEPTUNE to initiate all lowly pollywogs into the Royal Realm of NEPTUNE REX.
Following a four-day liberty call at Sattahip, STERETT returned to Subic Bay, Republic of Philippines to commence a regular upkeep period that lasted through 24 January. Thereafter, STERETT participated in MULTIPLEX 2-76, a five-day exercise designed to evaluate fleet unit’s performance in hot and cold war tactical situations.
A brief inport period in Yokosuka, Japan from 3 – 8 February was followed by three weeks of rigorous Carrier Support Operations with the USS MIDWAY in Okinawa area. Following completion of these operations, and a short stopover at Subic Bay, STERETT sailed for Hong Kong.
After a five day liberty call at Hong Kong, and another brief upkeep period at the Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay, STERETT participated from 18 – 22 March in MISSILEX 3-76, and then a major SEVENTHFLT Fleet Exercise, READIEX 2-76. Upon completion of these exercises, STERETT returned to Subic Bay.
STERETT departed Subic Bay on 10 April enroute to Pusan, Korea where the crew enjoyed liberty from 14 – 19 April. Leaving Pusan, STERETT sailed for Yokosuka, Japan for an upkeep period prior to the return to the United States.
On 7 may, STERETT began her return transit to San Diego, stopping at Midway Island to embark Pacific Fleet 1200-PSI Propulsion Examing Board (PEB). Enroute to Hawaii, STERETT underwent an Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE), an intensive inspection designed to test the ship’s engineering readiness. STERETT arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 16 may and embarked fathers, sons and close friends for the final segment of the return transit. STERETT’s WestPac Deployment ended on the 23RD of May with her return to San Diego.
STERETT remained in San Diego for upkeep through July 1976, except for two brief periods, 23 – 29 June and 12 – 26 July, when the ship operated in Southern California (SOCAL) operating areas for individual ship training exercises.
STERETT embarked 12 Midshipmen on 2 August for Pacific Midshipmen Training Squadron II (PACMIDTRARON II). The 6th through the 19th of August STERETT participated in the major THIRDFLT Exercise Varsity Knight (FLEETEX 1-7T). Next came an inport period, 19 August – 22 October, during which STERETT prepared for an inspection by the President of the Board of Inspection and Survey.
The President of the INSURV arrived on 8 November, but deferred the inspection until January 1977 due to emergent material problems. STERETT received a Command Inspection by Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group ONE on 18 – 19 November. The inspection examined STERETT’s material, administrative and personnel readiness. Following that inspection, STERETT participated in READIEX 2-77, 2 – 9 December, and a Harpoon Missile Firing Exercise on 14 December.
STERETT completed the year in San Diego commencing a holiday leave and upkeep period on 16 December.