NARRATIVE OF EVENTS FOR 1986
STERETT began the New Year inport Subic Bay in the final stages of a Selected Regular Availability (SRA) which began September 1985. As the SRA drew to a close, STERETT got underway on 7 January for two days of sea trials during which an Industrial Hygiene/Medical Inspection was also conducted. The period 10 – 14 January was spent inport completing the SRA.
The next five days, 15 – 20 January, were spent inport conducting Combat Systems Readiness Tests. On the morning of 21 January, STERETT weighed anchor and proceeded to the Naval Magazine, Subic Bay for an ammunition onload. Upon completion the following day, STERETT proceeded to the local operation area for individual ship operations which included anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-aircraft warfare exercises. Returning to Subic Bay on 24 January, STERETT was inport for two days before proceeding to the Philippine Sea for operations with Task Group 70.1. These operations included fleet anti-submarine warfare operations, underway replenishment training, a missile onload, and missile exercises at Poro Point firing range.
STERETT returned to Subic Bay on 4 February where she was in an upkeep period until 10 February which marked the beginning of Refresher Training (REFTRA) and concurrent assignment to Commander, Task Group 11.3. During REFTRA, STERETT was underway on several occasions conducting exercises and training in the local operations area. These included a gun exercise and underway replenishment.
STERETT completed REFTRA on 19 February and was assigned to Commander, Task Group 75.0 the following day. On 20 February, with little notice, STERETT was ordered to proceed to Sasebo, Japan. Arriving in Sasebo on 24 February, STERETT spent the remainder of February and the first five days of March inport completing voyage repairs. On 6 March, STERETT departed Sasebo for the vicinity of Okinawa to rendezvous with Task Group 70.1. STERETT was subsequently assigned to Commander, Task Group 70.1 and 77.1. The period 8 – 11 March was spent in the vicinity of Okinawa preparing for Team Spirit 86. After a brief port visit in Pusan, Korea, STERETT participated in Team Spirit 86 from 15 –22 March. During Team Spirit, STERETT was assigned anti-aircraft warfare picket in the northern Sea of Japan.
Completing Team Spirit on 22 March, STERETT proceeded to Pehang, Korea. Arriving on 23 March, STERETT embarked Commander, Task Force Seventy-Five and departed for Sasebo, Japan. After a brief port visit, STERETT departed Sasebo on 27 March, to conduct special operations in the Sea of Japan.
Assigned to Task Group 75.1, STERETT arrived on station in the Sea of Japan 28 March and remained in the area throughout most of April conducting surveillance operations against Soviet naval vessels and aircraft. On more than one occasion, the officers and men of STERETT were given an opportunity to test their seamanship and professionalism as STERETT operated only several hundred feet from front line naval forces of the Soviet Pacific Fleet.
Having completed special operations, STERETT departed the Sea of Japan on 26 April and proceeded south enroute Hong Kong. While enroute, STERETT took on fuel from USNS PONCHATOULA in the East China Sea on 2 May. STERETT arrived in Hong Kong on 5 May. During her port visit, STERETT hosted a ship visit which included representatives from the Peoples Republic of China. Weighing anchor on 9 May, STERETT proceeded enroute to Subic Bay. Arriving on 11 May, the remainder of May was spent in an upkeep period. Significant events during May were the Command Security Inspection 13 – 14 May, Command Inspection 14 – 16 May, and the Nuclear Weapons Assist Team (NWAT) visit 20 –24 May.
Phase one of the Engineering Department’s Mobil Training Team (MTT) was conducted inport 2 June through 5 June. MTT Phase two was conducted underway on 6 June. Returning to Subic Bay the following day, STERETT spent one day inport before leaving port enroute to Inchon, Korea.
STERETT arrived at Inchon on 13 June and remained inport for five days before getting underway on the morning of 19 June for operations in the Sea of Japan. At about 0230 local time on 21 June, STERETT ran aground while operating with Task Group 70.10 and Task Group 76.4 in Yeongil-man, a bay near Pohang, Korea. STERETT proceeded to Chinhae, Korea and remained inport for two days. On 25 June, STERETT departed Chinhae enroute to Subic Bay.
Arriving in the vicinity of Subic Bay on 1 July, STERETT proceeded to the Naval Magazine for an ammunition offload. Completing her offload the next day, STERETT proceeded directly to Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay, to commence an interim dry-dock period that would last until mid-August. Significant events during July were the 9024 inspection 14 – 18 July and a visit by Rear Admiral ROANE on 26 July.
On 6 August, after a brief change of command ceremony, Captain Fred W. BAILEY relieved Captain Joseph L. LOCKETT as Commanding Officer.
Upon leaving dry-dock late on the evening of 15 August, STERETT began a two day inport period which included a stores onload in preparation for local operations in the South China Sea. The morning of 18 August saw STERETT underway for four days of operations which included air exercises with VC – 5 and a weapons offload with the USNS KILEHUEA. STERETT returned to Subic Bay on 23 August.
On 25 August, STERETT was once again underway, this time to begin phase two of the Mobil Training Team (MTT) visit in preparation for the Engineering Department’s Operation Propulsion Plant Exam in September. Remaining in the local operations area, STERETT also conducted air exercises with VC – 5. Having completed MTT, STERETT arrived at the Naval Magazine, Subic Bay on 28 August for several days of ammunition offloading before returning to the Naval Station, Subic Bay on 30 August. STERETT remained inport for several days before getting underway once again on 6 September. After several days of operations, including a navigation check ride, STERETT arrived inport Subic Bay on 12 September and remained pier side until 16 September.
September 17th marked the beginning of the Engineering Department’s Operation Propulsion Plant Exam. Getting underway on the same day, STERETT spent the next three days in the local operations area before returning to Subic Bay on 21 September.
The following day, 22 September was the beginning of an extensive inport period that would last until 3 December as Selected Repair Availability 4 (SRA – 4) began. Several days later, on 27 September, Captain Richard P. GENET relieved Captain Fred W. BAILEY as Commanding Officer following a colorful change of command ceremony alongside Bravo Pier. The months of October and November were quite hectic as the crew worked with Ship Repair Facility to keep SRA – 4 on schedule. Other significant events during this time were a visit by the Fleet Master Chief on 20 October, a visit by the junior officer detailer on 12 November, and the Commander, Naval Surface Group, Western Pacific change of command on 29 November.
STERETT remained inport until 15 December at which time she weighed anchor for sea trials. Remaining at sea for three days, STERETT conducted a gun exercise on 17 December. The following day, 18 December, STERETT embarked Brigadier General TADIER of the Philippine Armed Forces for an orientation cruise in the local operations area. STERETT returned to port late in the day on 18 December.
The remainder of December was spent at Subic Bay making preparations for the coming deployment to Hawaii. As the year drew to a close, the officers and men maintained the high standards and professionalism that have made her "the Navy’s Finest Cruiser."