Biddle (CG 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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Ship ' s Organization COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER OPS FFICER ENGIN OFF EERING ICER WEAI OFFI I.. ' ONS CER SUF OFF ' PLY ICER NAVIGATION OFFICER 1 1 — . — 1 1 NX 1 1 DIV CT OC OE DIV DIV DIV 01 1st 1 2nd GM Fox DIV DIV DIV DIV DIV A B 1 M R SI S2 DIV DIV [ MV DI DIV DIV DIV EDITOR ' S NOTE; The individual photographs appear- ing in this Cruisebook vary in quality due to the fact that they were taken during deployment by crew mem- bers without proper lighting.

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COMMANDING OFFICER, USS BIDDLE (CG-34) To Ml Shipniates in BIDDLE: Your spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm are v iat gives life to BIDDLE and makes her such a fine ship. You have demonstrated repeatedly the finest qualities of professional Navymen in your ability to train and perform well your assigned responsibilities. Your role as Ambassadors of Good Will throughout the port visits in Northern Europe was camiended by both United States and Foreign National Officials. I salute you all for your patriotism and loyalty to the United States, the Navy, and USS BIDDLE. God bless you all. A. L. Captain, U.S. Navy Cannanding

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History The USS BIDDLE (CG-34) is the fourth ship of the Fleet to bear the name of Captain Nicholas BIDDLE, 1750 - 1778, one of the first Captains in our Navy and hero of the American Revolution who gave his life in battle. The present BIDDLE, a unit of Cruiser-Destroyer Group EHGHT, was launched in Bath, Maine, on July 2, 1965 and christened by Mrs. William H. Bates of Salem, Massachusetts. Commissioned on January 21, 1967, BIDDLE is one of the newest guided missile destroyer leaders in the US Navy and one of the most versatile ships afloat. She is armed with Terrier Anti-Air Guided Missiles; Anti-Submarine Rockets and Torpedoes; one 5 54 and two 3 50 rapid-fire guns; and can support 1 SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter. BIDDLE is equipped with the Navy ' s newest and most powerful radars, sonar and tactical data system and can steam long dis- tances without refueling. BlDDLE ' s first nine years have been busy ones. In 1968, she deployed to the Pacific and served seven months with the Seventh Elect off Viet Nam circumnavigating the globe in the process. In 1969 she again deployed to the Seventh Elect for seven months. Eor outstanding performan ce during each of these deploy- ments, BIDDLE has been awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations. A brief deployment to the Caribbean was the highlight of 1970. The latter part of 1970 and 1971 was a time for many improvements and modifica- tions to BIDDLE. An extensive overhaul by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard brought many improvemen ts in shipboard living conditions and services. Upon completion of the overhaul period BIDDLE began an extensive evaluation of a sophisticated electronic warfare installation known as SHORTSTOP. These tests took nearly a year to conduct with a two month break in the summer of 1971 for Weapons System checks and refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In April 1972, BIDDLE deployed to the Western Pacific for the third time from the Atlantic Elect. BIDDLE operated with Task Eorce 77 in the Gulf of Tonkin until late June as Air AAW, Search and Rescue (SAR) picket ship and as an Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) collection ship. On the night of 19 July, BIDDLE was attacked by five MIG aircraft in two raids. BIDDLE destroyed one MIG from the first raid with Terrier missiles and possibly one from the second with five-inch and three- inch gunfire. The other MIG ' s were driven off and BIDDLE received no damage. BIDDLE departed Subic Bay on 25 September for Norfolk. Arriving a month later, she went into standown. BIDDLE remained in port until the end of March and then participated in various fleet exercises includ- ing a combined Erench - American naval exercise at the end of May. During July ' s exercise BIDDLE was assigned as task group electronic warfare commander. During the exercise BIDDLE fired four missiles at drone targets scoring two direct hits. For this performance BIDDLE was awarded the Top Shooter Award by VADM J. G. FINNERMAN, Commander, U. S. SIXTH Fleet. BIDDLE remained in port until November. BIDDLE got underway in late November for a combined Canadian - US naval exercise in the North Atlantic with units of U. S. Navy, U. S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Navy. On 10 December an awards presentation was held onboard in Norfolk in which the ship received two awards. The first was the Navy Unit Commendation presented by VADM D. C. PLATE, Deputy CINCLANT- FLT. This award was presented For exceptionally meritorious service from 4 May 1972 while engaged in combat operations against the enemy in North Viet Nam. The first half of 1974 BIDDLE spent in port preparing for her upcoming deployment. On 14 June, BIDDLE deployed to the Mediterranean. On 12 July, BIDDLE steamed east toward the Cyprus crisis. On 8 September, BIDDLE was called to render assistance in search and rescue operations for a TWA airliner, which had crashed into the sea fifty miles west of Greece. She remained in port until March when BIDDLE got underway for Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine and a complex overhaul. On 15 March 1976, BIDDLE left Maine and commenced a drydock period in Bayonne, New Jersey; returning to Norfolk in April. She conducted systems testing and refresher training at Guan- tanamo Bay during June and July.