The New Year finds the USS STERETT (CG 31) continuing regular overhaul in Long Beach Naval Shipyard, moored port side to pier 3, berth 31. The crew is living in barracks 2197 at the Long Beach Naval Station.
A visit by His Swedish Majesty’s Ship ALVSNABBEN provides a brief break in the shipyard routine as the officers and crews of USS STERETT (CG 31) and H.S.W.M.S. ALVSNABBEN exchange visits. As host ship USS STERETT (CG 31) gave several parties for the visitors and everyone had a chance to observe the differences in the two cultures and Navies.
On February 6th Captain Daniel C. RICHARDSON relieved Captain Joseph S. Donnell, III at a ceremony conducted on the U.S. Naval Station at Long Beach, California. A reception was held at the officers club immediately following the change of command.
Valentine’s Day was selected as the date for the ship’s party to be held at the Enlisted Men’s Club on Long Beach Naval Station. Good food, drink and music made the party a great success.
COMCRUDESGRU THREE representatives conducted an Equal Opportunity assessment visit on 20 March and were pleased with the Equal Opportunity program aboard the USS STERETT (CG 31).
On April 17th the ship was turned starboard side to pier 3, berth 31, to enable the collimating of the fire control radar systems. This was a sure sign that the ship was being put back together.
COMCRUDESGRU FIVE became the temporary immediate superior in the USS STERETT (CG 31) chain-of-command due to COMCRUDESGRU THREE deploying to the Western Pacific.
Two assist visits by NAVAIRPAC representatives get the preparations for LAMPS helicopter operations well underway.
On 13 May Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Gerald A. CANN visited the USS STERETT (CG 31) and was a dinner guest of the Commanding Officer.
17 May was the start date for the crew’s move back aboard the ship. The move aboard was completed on 29 May.
On 9 June COMCRUDESGRU ONE, RADM W.C. Neal became our immediate superior in the chain of command.
The period 11-12 June saw the propulsion Examining Board (PEB) on USS STERETT (CG 31) to
conduct Light-Off Examination (LOE) of the after plant. The LOE was a successful
evolution. 30 June-1July had the PEB back on board for LOE of the forward plant. Another
successful operation. The STERETT (CG 31) was found safe to steam both plants with three
duty sections qualified. Phase I
of the Crew Certification was held on 3 July.
NAVAIRPAC representatives were on board on 17 July for another aviation assist visit.
Crew Certification Phase II was conducted on 28 July and 30 July. Dock trials were held in preparation for the first sea trial. 31 July and 1 August were the dates for the fast cruise and 5-8 August was the first sea trial. The second sea trial was conducted from 18-22 August.
A runaway diesel engine resulted in a fire that caused some damage to the space and the total loss of the diesel. Fast, positive action by those on the scene and the fire party prevented this from becoming a more serious problem. There were no personnel injuries.
On 22 August RADM W.C. NEAL, COMCRUDESGRU ONE, was aboard to discuss the overhaul and meet some of the crew.
USS STERETT (CG 31) continued in overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard for the month of September, with three underway periods for sea trials. The scheduled completion date was changed from September 30th to October 17th.
After one more sea trial on 7 and 8 October USS STERETT (CG 31) departed Long Beach Naval Shipyard at 2359 on October 17th. Arriving at Seal Beach Weapons Station the morning of October 18th where an ammunition onload was conducted.
Departing Seal Beach that evening USS STERETT (CG 31) headed for San Diego. Arriving the morning of October 19th USS STERETT (CG 31) moored outboard of USS GRIDLEY (CG 21) at pier four.
Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trials (CSSQT) team arrived on board the morning of October 20th to conduct a period of extensive training on the ships weapons and operations systems.
During CSSQT, gunnery and missile exercises were conducted as a part of the combat systems training.
On November 24th, Commander Destroyer Squadron Thirteen, Captain Dunham, embarked to ride the ship until completion of READIEX 1-81.
During this underway period a Burial at Sea Service was conducted and the remains of twelve people were committed to the deep.
On December 8th COMFEWSG, Captain Toncray came on board for READIEX 1-81. USS STERETT (CG 31) was the Mobile Sea Range Control Ship for this exercise.
COMCARGRU THREE, RADM Chambers, visited on December 13th to observe the READIEX and departed on the 14th. RADM Chambers returned on the 15th to observe the final phases of the exercise.
Upon completion of READIEX 1-81 USS STERETT (CG 31) proceeded to the Sonar Accuracy Calibration Site at Naval Station, Long Beach, California.
Getting Underway the morning of December 19th, USS STERETT (CG 31) returned to Naval Station, San Diego, California and moored that afternoon at pier four, outboard of USS LEAHY (CG 16).
The remainder of the year was spent as a leave and upkeep period.
CHRONOLOGY OF HIGHLIGHTS -1980
DATE EVENT
JAN 1 Moored Port side to pier 3, berth 31, LBNSY under going regular overhaul
JAN 20 Host for H.S.W.M.S. ALVSNABBEN
JAN 16 Luncheon for Swedish Officer from H.S.W.M.S. ALVSABBEN at L.B. Officers club
FEB 6 Change of command CAPT J.S. DONNELL III relieved by CAPT D.C. RICHARSON
FEB 14 Ship’s party at NAVSTA E.M. Club to celebrate Valentine’s Day
MAR 20 Equal Opportunity assessment by COMCRUDESGRU THREE
APR 16 Turn ship—moored STBD side to pier 3, berth 31, LBNSY
APR 25
COMCRUDESGRU FIVE assumes temporary ISIC of STERETT due to
COMCRUDESGRU THREE deploying to the Western Pacific
MAY 13
Visit
by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Systems,
Mr. Gerald A. Cann
MAY 17 Commenced move back aboard
JUN 9 Temporary ISIC changed to COMCRUDESGRU ONE, RADM W.C. NEAL
JUN 12 After light off examination found ship safe to steam
30JUN-1JUL Forward light off examination found ship safe to steam
JUL 1 Commenced crew certification phase I
JUL 28 Commenced crew certification phase II
JUL 29 Dock Trials
31JUL-1AUG Fast Cruise
AUG 8 First Sea Trial
AUG 22 Second Sea Trial
AUG 20 Run away diesel and fire
AUG 20 Visit by COMCRUDESGRU One RADM W.C. NEAL
OCT 17 Complete overhaul at 2359, underway for Seal Beach Weapons Station
OCT 18 Arrive Seal Beach, conduct ammunition onload, underway for San Diego
OCT 19 Arrive Naval Station San Diego moored to pier 4 outboard of USS GRIDLEY CG 21
OCT 20 Commence Combat Systems Ships Qualification Trials (CSSQT)
OCT 24 Commanding Officers Personnel Inspection
OCT 28 Underway for CSSQT
OCT 29
Conducted Gunnery exercises as part of CSSQT,
returned to Naval Station San Diego
NOV 1 Underway for CSSQT
NOV 6
Conducted AAW gunnery exercise as part of CSSQT,
returned to Naval Station San Diego
NOV 11 Underway for CSSQT
NOV 12
Conducted missile exercise as part of CSSQT,
returned to Naval Station San Diego
NOV 24 COMDESRON THIRTEEN, Capt DUNHAM, embarks
DEC 1 Conducted burial at sea
DEC 6
COMFEWSG, CAPT Toncray, on board, underway to READIEX 1-81,
conducted anchoring at San Clemente Island,
underway to continue READIEX, USS STERETT is Mobile Sea
Range Control Ship.
DEC 9 Night UNREP with USS WABASH
DEC 11 COMCARGRU THREE, RADM Chambers, visits to monitor exercise
DEC
12
USS STERETT Detached from READIEX 1-81
COMCRUDESGRU THIRTEEN Debarks
COMFEWSG Departs
DEC 13
Arrive Sonar Accuracy Calibration Site (SACS) Pier,
Naval Station Long Beach, California
COMCARGRU THREE departs
DEC 19 Conduct SACS tests
DEC 18 Underway for San Diego
DEC 20-31 Leave and upkeep San Diego