Ingersoll (DD 990) - Naval Cruise Book

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While in the Indian Ocean INGERSOLL was singl- ed out for distinction by Comdesron Thirty-One as the squadron ' s top ship, or Super Stallion for the months of May and June. During this time frame we had been the top performer in a variety of Battle Group exercises, and had, as previously mentioned responded to a priority operational tasking on short notice. This formal recognition was a direct result of the fine efforts of a top-notch crew. =Si»t« After several days of operations in the central por- tion of the Indian Ocean, the Battle Group turned to the Southeast and commenced the long trek to the west coast of Australia. Seas were generally rough due to the influence of storms blowing up from the southern latitudes, known to sailors as the Roaring Forties. After several days of rugged going, the Bat- tle Group reached Australia and entered ports on the west and southwest coasts of this remarkable continent. 27

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On the first of June Ihte Battle Group got underway and transited tfie Strait of Malacca, entering the Indian Ocean the following day. On 9 June we joined the new Battle Group Charlie flagship, super-earner Carl Vinson and her escort the USS Texas, in the Indian Ocean They had come from the Mediterranean Sea by way of the Cape of Good Hope. The Carl Vinson is an awesome ship It is eleven hundred feet in length, displaces 94 thou- sand tons and carries an airwing which includes the Navy ' s newest and most capable fighters, bombers and an- tisubmarine warfare aircraft After the join-up. we bid a fond farewell to the Coral Sea. which detached and con- tinued east through the Red Sea. the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea and across the Atlantic Ocean to eventually arrive in Norfolk. Virginia, thus completing an around-the-world cruise to her new homepiort. The Central Indian Ocean is one of the most lonely places in the world. Despite our geographical isola- tion we were kept quite busy by a very full schedule of events intended to maintain our high level of readiness with training in all mission areas. INGER- SOLL participated in antisubmarine and antiair war- fare exercises, fired surface gunnery, flew many helicopter missions and towed targets tor aircraft and other ship ' s use. Since the ship had spent a full month at sea. a variety of supplies were necessary to keep operating. Fuel. food, spare parts and even cigarettes for the ship ' s store were transferred by alongside replenishment or by helicopter from supp- ly ships in company With almost daily helicopter transfers and alongside replenishments averaging every third day, in addition to the training routine, we all managed to keep quite busy.

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On 1 July INGERSOLL entered the Fremanlle harbor, the port city of Perth, and the new home of The America ' s Cup Trophy. The legendary friendliness which Australians feel toward Americans was borne out in fact, and all hands enjoyed a port visit which was the highlight of the cruise. 28