Gridley (CG 21) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 84 text:

Welcome Aboard ssXXxx Q, i ff xx . ' ff 9 I f R QU! X I f lg n f of i 0 , X X' f ' 1, ff ' fm Xf ! X RIDLEY K9 xNXxsS is i' 9 4-T N ef' 'XQ i' ' Q fb W Q Q Co 0' 1 ME 3 X-Q 1 9 R f 5 A lu uf pl 9 x e,U.lI I U f 1 vw ------A+, y , . 0 s X 'r 0 . , , Z: ss'

Page 83 text:

2,451,320 deadweight tons, through the volatile st ' rait of Hormuz. She returned to home port in June of 1989 and commenced preparation for' a major weapons system u rad P8 9 that will require one year in shipboard overhaul. CRI . . . DLEY is equipped with extended range Terrier Anti-Aircraft Missile System, Anti-Submarin R e ockets, Torpedoes, Harpoon Cruise Missile, C1ose-In- Weapons System 9 and is capable of operating helicopters from h f ' er light deck. She is 533 feet long, has a beam of 54 feet, 10 inches, and displaces 8200 tons. Her top speed is i n excess of 30 knots. She carries a crew of 390 enlisted and 29 officers. Since her commissioning in 1963 GRIDLEY h h d , as a a total of fourteen Commanding Officers who have carried on the traditions of Captain Charles V GRIDLEY h . , t e ship's namesake. The current Commanding Officer is Captain NORMAN S. SCOTT. For more information on Navy Career Opportunities, S . ee your local Navy Recruiter or call toll free, 1-800-327-NAVY.

Page 85 text:

COHHAND HISTORY USS GRIDLEY CCG 215 WORLD'S GREATEST CRUISER USS GRIDLEY CCG 211, the third man-of-war named for Captain Charles V. GRIDLEY, has a great remnmtion to uphold. The name GRIDLEY is noted both for Captain GRlDLEY's honor, bravery and devotion to duty and for the distinguished records of two previous ships which bore the name. The present GRIDLEY CCG 215, was commissioned 25 May 1963 at the Puget Sound Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, and assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In March 1964, GRIDLEY deployed to the Western Pacific as a unit caf the U.S. Seventh Fleet and was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation for services in support of successful air strikes and counter attack operations against North Vietnamese torpedo boats and supporting facilities. As a unit of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, GRIDLEY again deployed to the Western Pacific in 1965, 1966 and 1968 where she served in the South China Sea and the Tonkin Gulf. On 22 July 1969, GRIDLEY was decommissioned prior to undergoing an extensive anti-air warfare nwdernization conversion. During her shipyard period, GRIDLEY was fitted with the Naval Tactical Data System CNTDSJ which provides rapid communications and information displays, enabling ship and force commanders to make decisions in countering hostile threats in today's high speed warfare. After commissioning on 17 January 1970, GRIDLEY returned to her homeport of Long Beach, California. From November 1970 to May 1971, and again during 1972, GRIDLEY served in Japanese and Vietnamese waters. ln February of 1973, GRIDLEY entered Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California for overhaul. During this period she received an Anti- Missile Defense System and was outfitted with highly sophisticated electronic equipment to help her meet continuing operational commitments. GRIDLEY sailed to her new homeport, San Diego, California, in December of 1973. .ln 1975, GRIDLEY again deployed to the Western Pacific. During the seven and one half month deployment, GRIDLEY provided air traffic control and on station support during HOperation Frequent Windu, the evacuation of people from South Vietnmn. GRIDLEY also was on station as air traffic controller during the MAYAGUEZ incident off the coast of Cambodia. After a short 10 months back in her homeport, GRTDLEY returned to the Western Pacific in July of 1976.