Gridley (CG 21) - Naval Cruise Book

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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