Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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Caimvneiv Gimmmp Sevens history CARGRUSEVEN meets challenges USS Constellation is the llag- ship for Carrier Group Seven and Battle Group Delta which not only includes an aircraft carrier and her air wing, but also destroyers. fri- gates, cruisers, oilers, tenders and supply ships. Carrier Group Seven, homeport- ed at Naval Air Station North ls- land in San Diego, Calif, is under the administrative command of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and is under the oper- ational command of designated fleet and task force commanders of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. N The mission of Carrier Group Seven, which is commanded by RearAdm. Lyle F. Bull, has adminis- trative command of ships assigned to it, operational command of ships and units assigned by higher authority, and assistance to Com- mander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacilic Fleet, in the administration of Pacific naval air force units tem- porarily assigned to it for opera- tional purposes. Established on March 22, 1956, at Naval Air Station, Alameda, Calif., as Carrier Division Seven, the command first deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS Bon Homme Richard in 1957. Carrier Group Seven has been command-- ed by 27 rear admirals and two cap- tains. The command has complet- ed 26 deployments to the Western Pacific embarked in 16 aircraft car- riers including: Kearsarge, Han- cock, Shangri-La, Lexington, Ran- ger, Ticonderoga, Oriskany, Kitty Hawk, Constellation, Midway, Coral Sea, Saratoga, America, En- terprise and Nimitz. Inheritor of a proud tradition, Carrier Group Seven is as ready today as it was at its founding to meet the challenges ahead. iPhoto by JO2 Steven D. Thompsonl 1987 Cruisebook 15

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Destroyer ,Sqfrraidlriory il3'S history DESRON-13 one of Navy's oldest destroyer squadrons Commander Destroyer Squadron 13 Capt. Michael A. McDevitt and stall' operated from USS Constellation during the 1987 deployment. Five of the squadron's seven ships made this deployment to the Westem Pacific and Indian Oceans, and many of those ships took an active role in escorting U.S. flagged Kuwaiti oil tankers through thc Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. During the cruise, USS Reid and USS Jarrett operated as units of the Middle East Force conducting maritime patrol duties in the Persian Gulf. USS Elliot was assigned to CTF-75 in the Westem Pacific. USS Cook and USS Crommelin were assigned to the USS Constellation Battle Group, Battle Group Delta, operating in the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea. One of the U.S. Navy's longest continuously commissioned squadrons, DESRON-13's operational history began in July 1941 when it was organized as part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet to participate in the Neutrality Patrol off the U.S. coastline and to escort convoys of U.S. ships across the Atlantic prior to the entry ofthe United States into World War ll. ' When the U.S. joined the Allies in World War II, DESRON-13 took a very active part in all the Allied operations in tire AfricanlMediterranean Theater. Ships of the squadron partici- pated in the landing on the African coast near Casablanca, the invasion of Sicily, the assault on the Italian mainland at Salemo and Anzio and the landing on the Southern coast of France. In these actions the squadron engaged. enemy ships in gunfire duels, anti-submarine warfare, destroyed enemy aircraft, silenc- ed shore batteries and provided invaluable support for landing troops with supporting shore bombardment. Following the completion of the assault on Fortress Europe, the squadron conducted patrols and escorted convoys in the Atlantic and Mediterranean until transferred to the Pacific Theater in 1945. Although too late to engage the enemy in combat in the Pacific, the squadron was assigned to assist with Operation Magic Carpet providing overseas personnel a speedy retum home to the United States. The squadron stayed on to become a permanent part of the Pacific Fleet and in the relatively quiet years that followed, par- ticipated in many exercises and conducted routine operations in both Eastern and Western Pacific. When the Korean Conflict broke out, DESRON-13 ships supported the United Nations efforts by providing shore bombardment, port blockade, patrol and escort services to Fast Carrier Task Forces. In the Cold War years that followed the Korean Armistice, the squadron continued to make regular deployments to the Western Pacific, consistently maintaining a high state of readiness in all areas of destroyer operations. As the role of the U.S. in Vietna.m increased, DESRON-13 was again ready for action. During hostilides in that country, the squadron performed numerous functions in Southeast Asia, such as: controlling air strikes, search and rescue missions, escort operations. shore bombardment and close Naval gunfire support for the troops ashore. Since the end of hostilities in Vietnam DESRON-13 has made many deployments to the Western Pacific in support of U.S. policy. F4 I l I J I I I 5145