NARRATIVE OF EVENTS FOR 1985
STERETT began the New Year in port Subic Bay with a Mobile Training Team on board conducting the first phase of the pre-Operational Propulsion Plant Recertification assist visit. STERETT was underway 7 – 8 January for engineering casualty control drills, returning to Subic Bay on 8 January for an upkeep period through 1 February.
On 2 February, STERETT was underway in the South China Sea operating areas for ASWEX 85 – 1 conducted on 11 and 12 February. On 13 – 16 February STERETT participated in MISSILEX 85 – 3 at Poro Point firing range. STERETT fired a SM – 1 (ER) missile and shot down a low flying, high-speed drone.
STERETT returned to Subic Bay on 17 February for a nine-day upkeep period. On 27 February STERETT was underway in the South China Sea providing AAW picket services for the USS MIDWAY Battle Group during ASWEX 85 – 2. She returned to Subic Bay on 4 March, refueled at the POL Pier, and was underway on 5 March for MTT Phase II.
After a store load-out in Subic Bay on 8 March, STERETT was underway enroute to the Okinawa operating areas for a rendezvous with CTF 77, USS MIDWAY and other units of TG 77.1 for Team Spirit 77.1. The multi-services exercise officially began on 14 March with STERETT serving as AAW picket in the East China Sea, Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan.
On 23 March, STERETT was ordered to shadow a Soviet Task Group headed by the aircraft carrier NOVOROSSYISK. STERETT escorted the task group to the vicinity of their homeport in Vladivostok. On 24 March, STERETT detached from CTF 77 and joined the Amphibious Task Force, CTF 76, to provide them AAW protection. Upon detaching from CTF 77, STERETT won strong praise from RADM CHATHAM, the Battle Group Commander, for outstanding contributions to the Battle Group in anti-air warfare. On 27 March, STERETT was released from CTF 76 and proceeded to Sasebo for a scheduled upkeep period.
On 28 March, STERETT arrived in Sasebo, Japan to begin preparations for an Operational Propulsion Plant Recertification (OPPRE). The OPPRE was scheduled to take place in Subic Bay in mid-April. However, because of the greater efficiency of a steam plant in cooler waters and low port loading at the ship repair facility in Sasebo, it was decided to lengthen STERETT’s stay in Japan and conduct the OPPRE in Sasebo. STERETT was underway on 5 April in the Sea of Japan for final OPPRE preparations. The inspection began on 7 April and was successfully completed on 11 April when STERETT disembarked the inspection team via small boat in Sasebo harbor and began her transit back to Subic Bay.
STERETT arrived in Subic Bay on 14 April. Two days later, the ship underwent a Nuclear Weapons Assistance Team (NWAT) visit. On 22 April STERETT was underway in the Subic Bay operating areas for Battle Week 85 – A. STERETT returned to Subic Bay on 24 April and began a two-week upkeep period. During this period STERETT served as flagship for CTF 70, Rear Admiral CHATHAM and his staff. After CTF 70 hauled down his flag on 11 May, STERETT began preparations for a Nuclear Technical Proficiency Inspection (NTPI). STERETT got underway for a short two-day period on 16 May to conduct sea trials following the three-week availability.
During the sea trials STERETT’s schedule was changed. The ship was ordered to deploy to the Indian Ocean with Battle Group Alfa on 24 June. This meant the three remaining readiness inspections became more critical as STERETT had to successfully complete them in order to meet the deployment date. NTPI commenced on 22 May and was completed on the 24th with outstanding results. Three days later the ship underwent a Combat Systems Material Review (CSMR). This important inspection was successfully completed on 1 June and it was determined that all of STERETT’s essential combat and electronic systems were operating at their design capability. The final hurdle was the 3 – M Inspection which began on 5 June. The following day STERETT was underway in the South China Sea enroute to a rendezvous with Battle Group Alfa, commander by Rear Admiral CHATHAM, embarked in his flagship USS MIDWAY, for an Indian Ocean workup. The 3 – M Inspection continued at sea and was completed with a score of 97 on 13 June when the 3 – M team departed STERETT via helicopter to the USS MIDWAY.
On 19 June, the Battle Group entered Subic Bay for a brief inport period. Battle Group Alfa sortied from Subic Bay on the morning of 24 June, but STERETT’s departure was frustratingly hampered by a steering casualty. STERETT returned to port late that evening, made repairs and was underway early on the morning of the 25th. Before rejoining MIDWAY and her escorts, STERETT spent most of the day practicing Naval Gunfire Support at Tabones gunnery range. Later that evening, she turned to the southwest and started toward the Strait of Malacca. STERETT began the transit of the strait late evening on 28 June and conducted a safe, although sometimes exciting, passage through this busy international waterway.
Once the Battle Group arrived in the North Arabian Sea operating areas on 8 July, STERETT’s first assignment was as alternate anti-air warfare commander in the southern picket station. STERETT maintained position 150 miles southwest of the MIDWAY in a stormy climate on 12 – 14 foot seas and 30-knot winds. On 18 July, the Battle Group Commander ordered STERETT to the northern picket station in the Gulf of Oman to assume duties as anti-air warfare commander. With much calmer weather in the Gulf, STERETT was able to devote all of her attention to the warfare duties, which she performed superbly. STERETT received several messages of commendation from Rear Admiral CHATHAM for aggressively conducting intercepts and maintaining an exceptionally clear NTDS Link 11 picture. STERETT was reassigned to the southern picket station on 1 August to replace USS REEVES when she departed the area for a scheduled upkeep period in Diego Garcia.
On 19 August, STERETT, in company with the USS KIRK and USNS KILAUEA, detached from Battle Group Alfa and headed southeast for Diego Garcia. A major stores and ammunition replenishment was conducted on 22 August when the group rendezvoused with the USS SAN JOSE. The following day, STERETT celebrated the time honored mariner’s tradition of "crossing the line" at 000/065 – 053E. On 24 August, STERETT, with a full crew of shellbacks, arrived in Diego Garcia for a five-day tender availability with the USS SIERRA.
STERETT was underway on 30 August and independently steaming towards Singapore. On 2 September, she arrived at the Strait of Malacca and began the 24-hour transit. STERETT arrived at Sembawang Pier, Singapore for a short refueling stop on 4 September. Several hours later, she was underway, enroute Pattaya Beach Thailand. On 6 September, STERETT anchored off Pattaya Beach for a well-deserved five-day liberty port visit. STERETT weighed anchor on 11 September. Prior to entering Subic, she completed one more highly successful evolution, a naval gunfire support competitive exercise off the Tabones Gunnery Range receiving a final grade of 95 percent. STERETT arrived in Subic Bay later that day to a crowd of welcoming family and friends.
After a brief stand down period from 16 – 22 September, STERETT entered the third in a series of Selected Repair Availabilities (SRA). This SRA included a dry-docking which occurred on 26 September. On 23 November, with major hull and mechanical work completed, STERETT was afloat once again and continuing the availability pierside. STERETT spent the remainder of 1985 conducting a Selected Repair Availability, part of a phased maintenance program, which will maintain STERETT as a first line combatant for the rest of this century.