Fanning (FF 1076) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS FANNING FF- 1076 WESTPAC 1 992 ■• ' « ?

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USS FANNING (FF 1076) with Helicopter Light Anti-Submarine Squadron THREE THREE Detatchment EIGHT embarked, is hereby nomi- nated for the Meritorious Unit Commendation for exemplary performance of duties while deployed to the Arabian Gulf with United States Naval Forces Central Command from 1 Septem- ber 1992 to 6 December 1992 in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. FANNINGS per- formance was consistently outstanding, reflect- ing combat readiness, dedication and profession- alism while conducting Bi-Lateral exercises. Sub- marine escort operations, routine patrols, and two sensitive diplomatic port visits in the United Arab Emirates. Fully supporting the mission objectives and goals of COMUSNAVCENT, FAN- NING crew members proudly represented the United States and the Navy with the utmost integrity in a diverse and sensitive culture with zero liberty incidents throughout the entire deployment. Specific accomplishments include: FANNING demonstrated keen professional seamanship skills, superb surface warfare skills and the true spirit of participatory security dur- ing the exercises EAGER SENTRY 92- , NAUTI- CAL SWIMMER 93-1 and GULFEX XIV and XV with Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian, British, French, and Russian naval forces. FANNING provided invaluable support and training to Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian forces during presail conferences and training periods. Every opportunity to cross deck officers and enlisted crew members was seized to enhance the professional training and material support of all ships. The highlight of FANNING ' s multi-national efforts were the exer- cises conducted with the first Gulf deployed Russian Udaloy class destroyer, ADMIRAL VINO- GRADOV. GULFEX XV was an exercise to acquaint the Russians with the multi-national maritime interdiction effort in support of Opera- tions DESERT STORM and SOUTHERN WATCH. While exercising the international right of transit passage, FANNING and HSL 33 Det 8 flawlessly escorted the USS TOPEKA (SSN 75 ), the first U.S. nuclear powered submarine to operate in the Arabian Gulf, through the Strait of Hormuz and Western Traffic Separation Scheme to Bahrain. Challenged during the day and night by Omani patrol craft and Iranian sur- face vessels and P-3 ' s, FANNING deconflicted each challenge perfectly and upheld its rights under international law and established prece- dence for the future. FANNING ' s escort of TOPEKA was the precursor for future submarine operations in the Arabian Gulf, both submerged and surfaced. FANNING was the first United States warship to visit Sharjah, U.A.E in over five years. After conducting an extremely successful and highly visible port visit during a time of political uneasi- ness between the U.A.E and Iran, FANNING was requested by name by the American Consul Gen- eral. Dr. Joseph LeBaron. to make a port call at Umm Al Qiawain, U.A.E. A U.S. warship had never visited this Emirate before. Diplomatic calls were conducted on the ruler of the Emirate during each visit with reciprocal calls and lun- cheons held on board FANNING. All events included exchanges of mementos with the Rulers, which were televised publicly to demon- strate the U.S. U.A.E. relationship. Consul Gener- al LeBaron and Ambassador Rugh sent their per- sonal appreciation in the following message: These FANNING visits have significantly enhanced U.S. U.A.E. relations at a critical time in the bilateral political military relationship. It wasn ' t just a job well done; the FANNING exceeded our highest hopes. The diplomatic ram- ifications of FANNING ' s efforts in these highly visible port visits has opened the doors for future ties between the U.S. and the U.A.E. FANNING conducted extensive flight opera- tions with the embarked HSL 33 Det 8 SH-2F Lamps MK 1 helicopter in support of combined exercises, contingency, escort and battle force surveillance operations. The flight missions were conducted in close vicinity to contested airspace, sensitive areas and international straits requiring exercise of transit passage. Each mission was completed without a mustard call for airspace violation. For three days FANNING conducted ASSURED VICTOR contingency operations in a covert watch of a suspect vessel attempting to depart U.A.E. FANNING exercised bold tactics and surveillance to ensure the vessel did not depart undetected. All vessels departing the port were scrupulously tracked and monitored. FANNING ' s tour in the Arabian Gulf was noth- ing less than outstanding regardless of the task- ing. Every mission was completed, combat ready, with the pride and professionalism which is FAN- NING ' s trademark. FANNING admirably conduct- ed operations which will dictate the future of the allied forces in the CENTCOM AOR. Diplo- matic ties between the United States and the Gulf nations have been reaffirmed and signifi- cantly strengthened by FANNING ' s efforts. FAN- NING is most strongly recommended for the Meritorious Unit Commendation.