1979
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF 1979 EVENTS
The New Year finds USS Sterett (CG 31) continuing on station in the Gulf of Oman in support of the national policy in the developing Iranian crisis. RADM Rowden, CTG 75.1, is embarked. The USS Bradley (FF 1041) and USS Waddell (DDG 24) are in company and the USNS Passumpsic is providing support. The evacuation of the Americans in Iran did not take place while TG 75.1 was on station, but all the plans were made to carry out the operation.
Motor whale boat races, talent shows, rock concerts and NAVTAG (Navy tactical analysis game) helped pass the time and break up the daily routine.
TG 75.3 relieved TG 75.1 on 14 January with USS Sterett (CG 31) and company steaming for Subic Bay and some long awaited upkeep and liberty. Enroute, USS Sterett (CG 31) participated in a "Quickdraw" surface gunnery exercise, stopped at Camayan, Philippines, Naval Magazine, for ammo transfer and arrived in Subic Bay on 25 January. On 26 January VADM Foley, Commander SEVENTH Fleet, visited USS Sterett (CG 31) and expressed his and nation’s appreciation for the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism displayed by the crews that took part in the extended Indian Ocean operations.
The inport time was a busy time for all with upkeep that was much needed after the long steaming period, the work definition conference for the upcoming regular overhaul (ROH), preparation for a harpoon, missile and gunnery demonstration, and a luncheon visit by VADM Foley. On 16 February it was underway again for a weapons demonstration for personnel from the Republic of Korea. The harpoon shoot was a misfire. A terrier missile surface shot was successful but did not sink the target hulk. USS Sterett (CG 31), USS Bradley (FF 1041), and USS Waddell (DDG 24) then moved into gunnery range to sink the target.
22 February marked the arrival of USS Sterett (CG 31) in Hong Kong. Five days here left most of the crew short on funds but happy and rested.
On the 28th USS Sterett (CG 31) sailed for Pattaya, Thailand arriving on 4 March for a three day visit.
USS Sterett (CG 31) got underway on 7 March for a rendezvous with the USS Constellation (CV 64) and TG 77.7. Two days later we said farewell to RADM Rowden and his staff and became part of TG 77.7.
USS Sterett (CG 31) and USS Constellation (CV 64) left the group to cross the Indian Ocean in five days, at a speed of 28 knots. This presented an American presence in the area of the border conflict between North and South Yemen. The tension was high with frequent overflights by Soviet and Soviet supplied aircraft.
On 8 April a fantail cookout was held to celebrate USS Sterett’s twelfth birthday.
On the 9th RADM Tissot, CTG 77.7 visited USS Sterett (CG 31).
The ships of TG 77.7 minus USS Constellation (CV 64) arrived for a visit at Diego Garcia. A beach party was held to give the crews a chance to stand on land again.
16 April is a day that shall be remembered by most of the crew forever. On this day all the slimy pollywogs aboard became Exalted Shellbacks.
A rendezvous with USS Midway (CV 41) and escorts on 17 April, and USS Sterett (CG 31) was again headed back for Subic Bay, arriving on 24 April.
After a series of debriefs and preparation for a missile shoot, USS Sterett (CG 31), USS Constellation (CV 64), USS Waddell (DDG 24) and USS Kansas City (AOR 3) set sail for San Diego via Pearl Harbor. An AA gunnery shoot was conducted when it was learned that a suitable drone was not available for the missile exercise. USS Sterett (CG 31) chopped to Third Fleet on 4 May and crossed the International Date Line on 7 May. ADM Davis, CICNPACFLT, visited USS Sterett (CG 31) on 8 May and 9 May saw another missile exercise changed from air to surface target because of drone problems.
Arriving in Pearl Harbor later that day a round of debriefs were conducted and the 10th saw the Tigers (male guests) arrive for the cruise to San Diego.
RADM Rowden came on board USS Sterett (CG 31) by boat as NAS North Island on her return from deployment.
Arriving at pier 4 Naval Station, San Diego, California to be greeted by hundreds of family and friends. This began a period of upkeep, preparations for overhaul and a standdown.
On 4 June USS Sterett (CG 31) was towed to NAS North Island for the removal of the MK 76 fire control system. This was being returned to the manufacturer for update and modification.
A dependents’ day cruise on 18 June was a chance for many family members and friends to see what it is like to go to sea on a warship. Returning that afternoon to drop-off the guests at NAS North Island, then it was underway for the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, arriving on 19 June and offloading weapons in preparation for ROH.
Underway for San Diego a Burial at Sea was held.
The removal of the Naval Tactical Data System equipment was started on 25 June. The ship was defueled on 29 and 30 June, in further preparation for the overhaul.
A ships picnic was held at Admiral Baker Field on 13 July. The tow to Long Beach Naval Shipyard began on 23 July and USS Sterett (CG 31) arrived the morning of the 24th at her new homeport to begin an overhaul period that will last more than a year. The overhaul arrival conference was held on 27 July.
RADM Carter, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Three, visited USS Sterett (CG 31) on 22 August.
The docking conference was held on 28 August and the ship docked in dry-dock three on 30 August without incident.
The crew moved to the USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) when the ship was declared uninhabitable on 4 October. RADM Carter visited the ship on 31 October and conducted a reenlistment ceremony in the helo hanger.
On 7 November USS Sterett (CG 31) was the host ship for the Italian Navy Ship LUPO during her brief stop for fuel at Long Beach Naval Station.
The crew moved from the USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) to barracks 297, Naval Station Long Beach on 5 December. The ship undocked on 17 December and was moored at pier 3.
The year ends with USS Sterett (CG 31) at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard undergoing extensive modernization and repair.
DATE EVENT
1 JAN CONTINUING ON STATION IN THE GULF OF OMAN
7 JAN MOTOR WHALE BOAT REGATTA (WARDROOMS)
13 JAN DEPART MODLOC ENROUTE TO SUBIC BAY
14 JAN RELIEVED BY TG 75.3
20 JAN ENTER MALACCA STRAIGHTS
23 JAN QUICKDRAW SURFACE GUNNERY EXERCISE
25 JAN ARRIVE SUBIC BAY, RP
26 JAN VADM FOLEY, COMSEVENTHFLT, VISITS SHIP
2-5 FEB ROH WORK DEFINITION CONFERENCE
5 FEB VADM FOLEY VISIT AND LUNCH
15 FEB UNDERWAY FOR HARPOONEX OFF KOREA
16 FEB QUICKDRAW GUNNERY EXERCISE
17 FEB REPUBLIC OF KOREA PERSONNEL ARRIVE FOR HARPOONEX
18 FEB VADM FOLEY ARRIVES FOR HARPOONEX
HARPOON LAUNCH (UNSUCCESSFUL)
TERRIER LAUNCH (SUCCESSFUL)
SURFACE GUNNERY EXERCISE
22 FEB MOORED BUOY RN-4 HONG KONG
4 MAR ARRIVE PATTAYA, THAILAND
9 MAR RADM ROWDEN AND STAFF DEBARK
RENDEZVOUS WITH TG 77.7 FOR TRANSIT TO GULF OF OMAN
11 MAR TRANSIT STRAITS OF MALACCA
8 APR FANTAIL COOKOUT AND USS STERETT (CG 31) BIRTHDAY PARTY
9 APR RADM TISSOT (CTG. 77.7) VISITS SHIP
11 APR ANCHOR DIEGO GARCIA
SHIPS BEACH PARTY
16 APR SHELLBACK DAY
KING
NEPTUNE VISITS SHIP
19-20 APR SEVENTHFLT BAND VISITS SHIP
24 APR ARRIVE SUBIC BAY
27 APR UNDERWAY FOR SAN DIEGO VIA PEARL HARBOR
4 MAY CHOP TO THIRD FLEET
6 MAY CROSS INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
8 MAY ADM DAVIS (CINCPACFLT) VISITS SHIP
9 MAY ARRIVE PEARL HARBOR
10 MAY TIGERS ARRIVE FOR CRUISE TO SAN DIEGO
17 MAY RADM ROWDEN EMBARKS
MOORED PIER 4 NAVSTA SAN DIEGO
18 JUN UNDERWAY FOR DEPENDENTS’ CRUISE
20 JUN CONDUCT BURIAL AT SEA
24 JUL ARRIVE LONG BEACH NAVAL SHIPYARD
BEGIN
REGULAR OVERHAUL
22 AUG RADM CARTER VISITS SHIP
7 NOV USS STERETT (CG 31) HOST SHIP FOR I.N.S. LUPO
3 DEC HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SURVEY AND INVESTIGATIONS STAFF VISIT