Cushing (DD 985) - Naval Cruise Book

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Our next stop was Subic Bay for an upkeep period. The Cubs had kept the Mother Cat in great shape so we were able to see the sights, exercise our championship baseball team and groom the big Cat at the same time. We departed Subic Bay in mid-January to exercise the weapons and assist CTF-75 in conducting a missile shoot. CLISHING was named Top Gun following the exercise. We returned to Subic Bay only long enough to fuel as we were tasked to commence special surveillance operations against a Soviet task group headed by the ASW cruiser MINSK. Despite monsoon weather and many long days and nights, the ship operated flawlessly and our mission was most successful. Following detachment from special operations we transited to Sasebo, Japan for upkeep and liberty. The port visit was super with lots of quality work accomplished and plenty of opportunity to see the sights, purchase stereos, cameras and motorbikes. ll9

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LICN TRACKS WESTPAC 82 83 The Golden LIon s 82 83 cruIse to the Western PacIfIc was both InterestIng and unusual. We operated for the most part as a unIt of Commander Task Force Seven FIVE and Wlth the exceptIon of our partIcIpatIon In two major EXSYCISBS CBattle Week I and II and Team Splrit 835 the shIp operated Independently On arrIvaI In SubIc Bay PhIIIppInes we were tasked to act as opposItIon force agalnst a large number of surface sub surface and aIr unIts engaged In EXBFCISG Battle Week I True to the stealth of her namesake the LIon successfully avoIded detectIon whIIe repeatedly engaglng the EXGYCISE force We Iolned the entIre surface actIon group In a no notIce SXEYCISS CBattle Week ID whIch ranged thru the PhIIIppIne Sea and Into the Sea of Japan. It was cold but we were able to keep thIngs pretty warm for the opposItIon players Followlng these IntensIve operatlng perIods we saIIed for Hong Kong B C for a well deserved ChrIstmas break The cIty was beautIfuI and our VISIT a memorable one II8

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We departed Japan for Chinhae, Korea to participate with the Republic of Korea Navy in the first phase of Team Spirit '83. Our Korean hosts made us feel very welcome and we had an opportunity to exchange personnel during a concentrated ASW exercise. CLISHING was named top unit for her aggressive performance and despite a near miss by a civilian tanker the exercise was very valuable. We were detached to play aggressor against two carrier battle groups during the second phase of Team Spirit. For almost two weeks the Lion remained undetected while in turn successfully locating and targeting both battle groups. Following Team Spirit and a stop in Pusan, Korea to stock up on mink blankets we departed for a port visit to Beppu, Japan. Beppu is little visited by units of the Seventh Fleet and turned out to be a super stop. Famous for hot baths, scenic mountains and friendly people, the Lion received red carpet treatment. While there, CLISHING adopted a local orphanage and many of the crew donated their time to a major and successful clean up, paint up campaign. ' l2O