Curts (FFG 38) - Naval Cruise Book

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I sible. However, fate was to ensure that CURTS ' transit home was not routine. While on routine morning patrol, CURTS ' embarked helicopter (HELLFIRE 05) overflew an adrift merchant vessel. Quickly, CURTS was full speed ahead racing to the aid of the stricken vessel. On rendering assis- tance, CURTS discovered that the vessel had been adrift for several days without food, power and a diminishing water supply. CURTS reacted swiftly and sent a team to assess the damage. When the team determined that the engines were beyond repair, the order was given to prepare the ship for towing. After a night of slow steaming, the merchant vessel was safely towed into Omani waters. The Master and crew of the vessel gave thanks to the CURTS and offered their best sheep as a token of appreciation. With the stricken vessel safely in port, CURTS cranked up the speed to meet with the Indy Bat- tle Group which was enroute Singapore. The crew enjoyed some great liberty while in Singapore and also welcomed aboard new shipmates, including the new Executive Officer, LCDR Brian D. Querry. Next stop was Hong Kong. Once the ship was moored, the race was on to Fenwick Pier to get money exchanged before the rest of the battle group arrived. A great time was had by all i n Hong Kong and when the ship set sail for Yokosuka, spirits soared as the crew prepared to see their families for the first time in four months. A sunny, but cold morning greeted CURTS upon her return. As the band played oldies, the CURTS moored with an impatient crew waiting to be reunited with their families. It was a happy time for everyone and the end to a very successful cruise. After a much needed standown period, CURTS was once again underway for Hong Kong. This visit proved to be a great chance for the crew to do some serious shopping since CURTS was the lone ship in the harbor. It also marked the end of CDR Moody ' s tour as Commanding Officer of the CURTS. Once the ship was back in the safe confines of Yokosuka ' s harbor, the bustle was on to prepare the ship for the arrival of the new commanding officer. On 12 May 1994, CDR Martin L. Moody turned the keys of the CURTS over to CDR Thomas A. Delery. Once the process of turnover was complete, the new skipper took his newly acquired yacht on a nice little pleasure cruise, destination PEARL HARBOR U.S.A!!!!. Enroute to Pearl Harbor, CURTS stopped off in Chinhae, Korea for a brief port visit and to rendezvous with the Korean Navy who were taking part in the RIMPAC exercise. CURTS was involved in every RIMPAC exer- cise, including head to head mock up battle scenarios with the CONSTELLATION Battle Group out of San Diego. After five days of R R in Honolulu CURTS steamed back home to Yokosuka which ended eight months of successful operations. CURTS proved to all that she was the finest and fastest fighting frigate in the fleet. 41