Sterett (CG 31) - Naval Cruise Book

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fsssv- f as a155Q1gEiSs-Ts: Kite: .. , X. X5c,,.X :NYSE views w Ss f s iii:-. NN x YN XX began New Year '87 inport Subic Bay, RP finishing a holiday upkeep period, followed by a short Efisit tofH0ng Kong during the hrst week of 1987. S EERE ll returned to Subic Ba y on IO January to begin final preparations for the upcoming deployment to Hawaii. f'Dering the transit to Pearl Hrbor, Hawaii, STERETT embarked Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seventeen fer three days during which time he observed the training exercise BUSY OBSERVEP. Upon arrival in Pearl Harbor on 28 February STEl?ETT's crew began completing various training exercises including Search and Rescue KSAIO, hre hghting and General Damage Control for the entire crew. Additionally, numerous inspections were conducted and the Combat Systems Sea Oualifications lest was successfully completed. STERE TT departed Pearl Harbor on 15 March to return to Subic Bay. Prior to pulling into port 31 March, the ship participated in a Naval Gunfire Support Exercise at fabones Range on 30 March. Atter arrival preparations began for the Immediate Superior in Command tlSlCi Engineering lnspectron which was conducted from 6-8 April. This was followed by the Command inspection on 15 April. After a brief upkeep period S TERE TT was underway again for operations with Battle Group At lA in the South China Sea followed by a port visit to Hong Kong in Subic Bay, then began the transit to Australia. The first stop was Sydney for four days followed by four days in Melbourne. While in Australian waters STERETT conducted extensive naval exercises with the Royal Australian Na vy. Leaving Melbourne on 15 lune the ship participated in operations with Battle Group Al lA in and around the Philippine Sea until 4 July when S TERE Tl returned to her home port for three days, this was followed by a brief four day underway period prior to beginning Selected Repair Availabrlit y live, Upon completion of SRA-5 in October S EERE TT began a series of brief underway periods rn preparation for her upcoming deployment. During this period S TE RE TT crewmembers hosted Admiral tewin, Commander, US. Naval Forces, Philippines, along with many of the crew's families during the dependents cruise. Included in the hnal preparations for deployment were the Combat Systems Readiness fest and a missile firing exercise, both of which were completed successfully. On 8 November STERETT began her deployment to the Middle East. transiting through the Straits of Malacca into the Indian Ocean TERETT operated with Battle Group AtEA from IO November through the end. of the year. During the Christmas holidays S TERE lf spent tour days in Muscat Oman Senator Edward t Kennedy of Massachusetts visited the ofhcers and men of S TE RE lf relaying greetings from President Reagan and commenting on the superb job the U.S. Navy is doing in the Persian Gulf area. Crew members

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. ...J - V1 Westie- 23? Q, .--1 . we . . . rep., , wa, ., Y, g .Et 1 auf .X had the opportunity to have Christmas dinners with local American families while in Oman,' in addition, many enjoyed shopping tours, and sporting events. After leaving Muscat S TE RE TT proceeded south to the vicinity of Masirah, Oman for a two day tender availability with the USS CAPE COD. On the second day STEl?ETT's crew along with crews from USS CAPE COD and USS KNOX were entertained by the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders during their holiday tour of the region. After departing CAPE COD S TEPE T T embarked Commander, loint Task Force Middle East Pear Admiral Dennis M Brooks. New Year's Eve saw S TERE T T steaming north toward the Persian Gulf On the morning of 2 January S TEBE TT transited the Straits of Hormuz beginning a week of operations in the Persian Gulf including a three day port visit to Manama, Bahrain. During the port visit to Bahrain S TEPE T T had the privilege of hosting visits by Secretary of Defense, the honorable Erank Carlucci as well as United States Senators Altonse DZ4mato fl?-New Yorkj, Ted Stevens tl?-Alaskaj, and Warren Buddman tl?-New Hampshirej. Prior to leaving Bahrain STE RE TT embarked Wce Admiral Jonathan Howe and staff for the transit through the Persian Gulf Leaving the Persian Gulf on 8 lanuafy the remainder of the month was spent conducting operations off the coasts of lran and Oman. The beginning of February was spent at anchor alongside the tender USS CAPE COD completing repairs prior to the transit from the indian Ocean. S TEPE TT began her transit home on 9 February arriving at Pattaya Beach, Thailand on 23 February for a hve day port visit. Leaving Thailand on Z8 February, S TERE T T began the nnai leg home after a long but successful deployment. Arriving at Subic Bay on 4 March S TE RE TT was greeted pierside by bands, balloons, banners as well as hundreds of family members eagerly awaiting the return of husbands, fathers, and boyfriends. STEl?ETT's return to Subic was made even more eventful when the crew was informed that S TERE T T has been awarded the Battle E fhciency Award the result of STEl?ETT's commitment to excellence and professionalism. After a brief stay in Subic Bay S TERE T T was once again underway, this time northward to the Sea of lapan for participation in TEAM SPll?lT 88. After a one week transit STERE T T arrived in Pusan, Korea for a two day port visit After leaving Pusan, S TERE TT began operations in the Sea of lapan that would eventualh' take the ship within 30 miles of the Soviet Union. Upon completion of TEAM SPIRIT STERE T T proceeded southward to Sasebo, lapan for a brief port visit before arriving in Subic Bay on I5 April.