Biddle (CG 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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The Cruise On the 3d of September, 1976, USS BIDDLE got underway for the North Atlantic Ocean to participate in ex- ercise ' Teamwork ' 76. ' On 4 September BIDDLE rendezvoused with Task Group 400.1. Some 11 ships formed a screen to transit the Atlantic to Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, Scotland. On the 7th all ships began operating on a Full Alert Status. From September 10th through the 24th BIDDLE participated in Teamwork ' 76. This was an exercise in commu- nications and tactical maneuvering bringing to bear NATO forces of the United States, Canada, West Germany, France and Denmark in an amphibious landing on an enemy beachhead. On 14 September BIDDLE anchored at Scapa Flow and on the I5th got underway to rendezvous with Task Group 402.1.2 enroute to Norway. BIDDLE took station as guide ship in the formation. On the 17th the Northern Lights were sighted. BIDDLE moored at Copenhagen, Denmark on September 25th. After the crew enjoyed three days of liberty she got underway the morning of the 28th for the Baltic Sea and further operations. On 1 October BIDDLE entered the Baltic Sea. The ship ' s log explains, ... as expected numerous ships of the Soviet Block nations were on hand to greet us... Anti-submarine warfare, tactical maneuvering and simulated missile firing exercises were completed and on 6 October BIDDLE moored at Travemunde, Germany. After three days of liberty she got underway the morning of the 9th to continue Baltic Operations. With the completion of the Baltic Operations BIDDLE detached to head for Task Force 42 on the 11th to participate in Operation Bonded Item, an amphibious landing. On the 14th BIDDLE detached from this Task Force and with VADM SHANAHAN embarked, steamed inde- pendently for Hamburg, Germany. Mooring the morning of the 15th, liberty was enjoyed until the evening of the I9th. Vice Admiral Shanahan disembarked and Rear Admiral Palmer came aboard and the BIDDLE steamed in- dependently for Antwerp, Belgium. Mooring at Antwerp the morning of the 21st of October liberty was enjoyed until getting underway for Cher- bourg, France the afternoon of the 25th. The morning of the 26th BIDDLE moored at Cherbourg for three days of work and liberty. She got underway the morning of the 29th (...country roads take me home...!) for Norfolk, Virginia. BIDDLE arrived home the 9th of November! She steamed 15,169 nautical miles, with 54 days at sea and 14 in port.

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Bravo Zulus OPl-RATIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM COMSECONDFLT 1. Upon arrival point charlie the ships of this transit group will detach and proceed to homeports. We have all steamed a long way together in the past few months and have engaged in extensive and challenging operations. At this time I consider it appropriate to again recognize the superb performance of all participating units. 2. Throughout the entire deployment the positive attitude, responsiveness and professionalism of every command has been commendable. The commitments were many, the pressure was continuous, the hours were long. Without exception, you responded to every demand in a manner that reflected most favorably on the high state of readi- ness expected of the fighting ships of our Navy. Be assured that your performance has not gone unnoticed by our NATO friends. It was an admirable display of our capabilities and a reassuring demonstration of our nation ' s resolve to fulfill the commitments made to our NATO allies. 3. The fleet ' s readiness to conduct sustained combat operations at sea has been greatly enhanced by these opera- tions. We can not rest on our laurels, but must continue to refine our professional capabilities. You have a proud record behind you. We will now steam into homeport as the most ready units in Second Fleet. Let ' s keep it that way VICE ADMIRAL SHANAHAN OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM COMCARGRU IX. 1. Ref A (above message) is passed to addees with my full endorsement and added well done. It says it all and I would only add that the many lessons learned over the past two months were pointed out by incumbent personnel of participating units and are too valuable not to be passed on to those who will relieve us. Progress is possible only if we start the next evolution where we stopped the last one. 2. Enumeration of the many individual accomplishments of the addees would require too many words and would be vulnerable to inadvertant omission, however, I must recognize COMDESRON TWO as the fleet champion flag breaker (including aboard at least one train and one bus)and CALOOSAHATCHIE as the bulldog among greyhounds for perserverence and innovation. REAR ADMIRAL DIXON OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS TEST FROM COMSECONDFLT 1. The support and performance of participants in accomplishing this high priority test has significantly enhanced fleet readiness in an entirely new area. The comm shacks of BIDDLE and MT WHITNEY have once again demon- strated their superior professionalism. VICE ADMIRAL SHANAHAN From: COMSECONDFLT To: USS BIDDLE 1. I want to express my appreciation to the Officers and Men of the USS BIDDLE the sometimes Flagship of COMSTRIKELTLANT COMSECONDFLT during the recent NATO Operations and port visits. 2. BIDDLE performed admirably in supporting ME and in hosting and entertaining foreign dignitaries while in port. I received many laudatory comments from these guests about the appearance of the ship and the crew. From my observations, the BIDDLE is a first class ship with a proud and professional crew. I would particularly like to pay recognition to the supply department and to the guys in radio for their invaluable support. 3. Keep charging. SHANAHAN. From: COMPHIBGRU TWO To: USS BIDDLE 1. Hospitality while BIDDLE was my flagship outstanding. 2. Professional performance at sea and impeccable manners ashore make the BIDDLE a proud representative of the fleet, Navy and United States. RADM PALMER From: Commandant First Marine District Cherbourg, France To: USS BIDDLE The visit of your beautiful ship to Cherbourg was an occasion to tighten the ties of friendship between our two Navies. We wish you fair winds, nice seas on your return to your country, near your families.

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I. North Atlantic Cruise STATISTICS Beef 7859 lbs. Bacon 624 lbs. Hot Dogs 595 lbs. (5950 dogs) Butter 1292 lbs. Frozen Vegetables 3024 lbs. Fresh Eggs 3204 dozen (38,448 eggs) Shortening 2190 lbs. Salt, Table 610 lbs. Flour (baking and cooking) 4930 lbs. Coffee Grounds 880 lbs (2464 gals, coffee) White Bread 5680 White and Chocolate milk 5616 gals (89,856 cups) Ship Baked Bread 1520 loaves Fresh Vegetables 11,320 lbs excluding potatoes Fresh Potatoes 7,650 lbs. Fresh Fruits 6794 lbs. Fuel Consumption 1,251,321 Fresh Water Consumption 897,297 Steamed 15,169.48 nautical 54 days at sea 14 days in port 68 days anchored Vertical Replenishments 1 Underway Replenishments 5 Helicopter detail 15 Highline 2 ADVANCEMENTS SEPTEMBER 1976 Allan E. Osbourne SM2 Mark D. LaVallee RMSN Romeo A. Ong SN Ralph J. Whitfield FN Samson Smith ETR2 James D. Klingensmith S George Vasquez OCTOBER 1976 Robert L. Andrews SKC Jun R. Oculto MSC Samuel A. Jackson, III FTGl Rodney D. Trout STG2 Bruce A. Ferkinhoff SN Roger P. Gingras GMGSN Jeffery J. Jarvis SKSN Salvatore Persico HTFN Brian E. Staples SN James F. Henson BTC Lawrence C. Reece SKI Daniel F. Davidson EM2 Victor R. Bognot MM2 Terry D. Gaskin OSSN Johnnie R. Hawkins SN Paul F. Kent STGSN Kevin J. Spear MSSN RE - ENLISTMENTS SEPTEMBER Harold Chestnut SK3 Roland C. Worster, Jr. FTMC OCTOBER James R. Boettiger DKI Rico A. Borja MS3 Ship ' s Store Total for October 16,042.30 Average per day 517.49