Long Beach (CGN 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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Sunset Strip, Olongapo. Relieving the USS BIDDLE

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WESTPAC If one port could be called the home of the N avy's Western Pacific fleet, it would probably be Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. On April 29th LONG BEACH sailors got their first glimpse of this vast naval base as the ship tied up, outboard of the USS CHI- CAGO and the USS SAINT PAUL at Alava Wharf. This was to be a short visit, just long enough to make final checks on vital electronic gear and make final preparations for relieving the USS BIDDLE of PIRAZ duties. With all systems up we pro- ceeded to the Gulf. We would return to Subic four more times before the end of our deployment, and such places as B-6 Annex, the Chuckwagon, and China Seas would become common names to the men of the LONG BEACH. On the morning of May 5th, the LONG BEACH entered Danang Harbor for a half day of operational briefs. For much of the crew this was their first look at a place they had only read about in the papers. But for others, it was another return trip, an area they already knew far too well. With brief- ings completed, the LONG BEACH continued her trek to her station. On May 7th we offically relieved the USS BIDDLE of active control of PIRAZ. LONG BEACH controllers and radarmen were now to experience what had been for many only theory. As PIRAZ ship. LONG BEACH was to have overall responsibility for air control of all allied traffic over the Gulf. PIRAZ meant a grinding 24 hour surveillance of all air space. It was a job we knew to be vital and one which we grew to know well. i Q, xy 1

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