Gridley (CG 21) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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In March of l978, GRIDLEY entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for update and repairs to her Missile Fire Control System and installation of the Harpoon Cruise Missile. Her electronic and communications suites were also updated and repaired. Upon completion of the yard period, GRIDLEY returned to San Diego and underwent refresher training in preparation for the next WESTPAC deployment. In 1979, GRIDLEY was deployed to the Far East and as a result of the Iranian crisis participated in Indian Ocean contingency operations until mid l98O. GRIDLEY returned to San Diego in July l98O and participated in various Southern California training operations until almost l98l when she returned again to WESTPAC. During the next seven months GRIDLEY performed AAW Picket and AAW Commander duties while assigned to the Coral Sea Battle Group. Upon returning to San Diego in March l982, GRIDLEY was once again operating in Southern California waters, until October when she returned to Long Beach Naval Shipyard for an extensive update of all Fire Control and Search Radars, installation of new anti-missile Close In Weapons Systems, Electronic Warfare and Communication Suites, and overhaul of all Engineering Machinery. GRIDLEY returned to the operational fleet in October l983. GRIDLEY spent a year, October 1983 to October l98l+, undergoing intensive training and workup for her next deployment. GRIDLEY deployed to the Western Pacific from October l984 to May l985. From May of l985 until June of l987, GRIDLEY participated in a series of workups that culminated in a major month long exercise with Pacific Navies, including highly successful missile shoots that marked the beginning of a North Arabian Sea Deployment. GRIDLEY performed Anti-Air Warfare picket and Anti-Air Warfare Commander duties with the USS RANGER Battle Group during Persian Gulf operations involving the retaliatory destruction of Iranian oil platforms. GRIDLEY returned to home port in December of l987 and Spent the majority of l988 undergoing several major inspections that resulted in a full readiness certification of her engineering plant, combat systems, operations Capabilities, and supply support. The ship left San Diego in December of l988 for her thirteenth deployment in 22 years. GRIDLEY independently deployed to the Persian Gulf assigned to the Joint Middle East Task Porce as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander. The ship pl-33129 3 major role in DI'OteCtjing merchant Shipping SS she C:,sYlduCCQd 25 escort missions invglving ILS, Flggged Tankers, weighing a total of