Lake Champlain (CG 57) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE CRUISE T ]he centuries-old scene of tearful, farewell embraces as families send their men to sea was played as the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN drew in all lines on a warm,sunny San Diego morning. Friday, 05 September 1997 WESTPAC V7- ' 98 had begun. The first week ofourjourney was marked by good weather for the transit and participation in Texas Thunder exercise 97 near Hawaii. Crossing the Pacific, we followed Typhoon David; as we approached Japan, David became a tropical depression and we navigated the storm to arrive in Yokusuka, Japan for a brief port visit. Traveling south, weanchored in Hong Kong harbor tucked in the mountainous coast of China. From Kowloon to Victoria Peak, , weenjoyed the city ' s sights, well-known shopping and the fireworks i celebrating the ' ' reunification . The political and legal changes: beginning to occur as a result of the return of Hong Kong to the Communists were not observed by us. Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf region, including Iran, violating the no- fly zone, caused us to make best speed out of Hong . Kong. The new Sailor phones were quickly put to good use to help i calm the fears of families frightened by the media hype of the ' , situation. The entire crew pulled together to ensure a safe, fast paced transit. Passing through the Straits of Mallacca, the skies i were choked with smoke and burning embers from the jungle fires . in Malaysia. Although the visibility was only about a 100 yards,, through superb seamanship we maintained our speed and were moved to lead the Battle Group. Arriving in the Gulf of Oman, we first led the NIMITZ Battle Group then escorted the PELELIEU Amphibious Readiness Group through the Straits ofHormuz intoi the Persian Gulf We became the Tip of the Sword . It soon became evident that Saddam Hussein ' s unwillingnessi to cooperate with United Nations inspectors might escalate into a renewed conflict with Iraq. On station, missiles ready, green lighti

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IN COMMEMORATION OF WE CAPTAIN, -f OFFICERS AND CREW H S m 1 1 MH 1 ||o ■ I H L r-( H 1 1 1 ■ Over the past seven days, we have all watched the crisis in Iraq grow. Thegovernmentof Iraq has tried to hold the United States in some sort of court of public opinion while at the same time blatantly ignoring or refusing to abide by the international sanctions against it. The Performance of the Task Force has been magnificent in shaping our national response to the Iraqi moves. You havequickly formed in to a most potent and cohesive force, bringing with you the fullest measure of our Naval combat power. We have sent theclearest of signals to Saddam Hussein-- one which he cannot dare to miss. Your response, professional approach, planning,andcurrentoperationshavemadeadifference. Iraqhasbeen forced to back offits demands and seek a diplomatic course in which it will also fail. Our presence and determination is just as important as the combat punch we hold in careful awe. If called upon, we will fight like we have trained. Your willingness to sharpen the point of the spear to a razors edge is deeply appreciated by your government, leadership, and by your Navy. RADMNathman speaking to the Sailors of Carrier GroupSEVEN( November 15, 1997)

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f iHI r, .- . on and the TAO carryi ng the key, the fi re powei ofour ship was called toalert. The possibility of striking Iraqwith our TomahawkLand Attack Missiles became very real. Day after day, throughout the month ofNovem ber, we were prepared and at the ready to shoot shou Id a stri ke against Iraq be ordered. The order did not come. Breaking the at-sea routine, we enjoyed getting off t he ship in the cleanandprosperouscitiesofDubaiandJebelAliintheUnitedArab Emirates. During December, our VIP visitors included the Deputy Undersecreta ry of Defense, the Ch iefofNa va I Operations and Master Chief PettyOfficeroftheNavy.Theholidayscanbeadifficulttimebut, hundreds of packages, bringing literally a tasteofhome in the form of cookies and fudge, helped us celebrate Christmas in the Gulf. We completed our ' ' Southern Watch ' and headed south through the Indian Ocean, initiating our new shellbacks into the realm of King Neptuneas wecrossed theEquator. Theprom iseofa summer holiday in A ustra Ha was rea I izedand we werefortuna te to visi t both coasts of the LandDown Under . Our first port call to Fremantle and Perth during Australia Day celebrations enabled us to view the ' ' largest fi reworks d isplay in the Sou them Hem isphere . We then sa i led east to the unique city of Sydney with its ' landmaj k Opera House -for many, theh igh I igh t oftheenti re cru ise. Finally, we were going home, stopping only briefly in Hawaii to pick up our Tigers and our soon-to-be new Commanding Officer. During our six month deployment we traveled 32,995.5 miles and visited four different countries as we enforced the policies of our country. Young sailors,juniorofficers,as well as old salts continued the tradition of learning the variousaspectsof what it means to bea Sailor,OfficerorChiefintheUnitedStatesNavy. And so th iscru iseended, as theyalldo, with fathersholding their babies for the first time, tears of joy and tender kisses. Themen were welcomed back from the sea. Saturday, 28 February 1998 WESTPAC ' 97- ' 98 was over. THECKUISE 3