USS CONE DD-866

continued 1977 .....

Cone received a Force Medical Inspection on March 2nd. The 11-12 March SELRES weekend was spent inport preparing for up-coming operations. 14 March was spent in transit to Savannah, Ga. Members of the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee embarked for the day long trip. 17 March, St. Patrick's Day, was the highlight of the five day port visit with Cone providing a special marching detail for the parade. The ship's open house to the public was made more interesting by a combined fire drill with the Savannah Port Authority. The children especially enjoyed the fire engines clanging and the excitement of a realistic drill. Cone was underway for Operation Cleansweep on 18 March, joining up on 19 March and detaching on 23 March. Cone replenished from USS Canisteo (AO 99) on 21 March and arrived back in Charleston on the 24th of March. Underway for a port visit in Port Everglades, Florida, on 28 March, Cone participated in limited squadron operations with USS William C. Lawe (DD 763). Because of a personnel injury, Cone made an emergency stop in Mayport, Florida, and proceeded to Port Everglades on 29 March. After an enjoyable port visit, Cone was underway for Charleston on 4 April, arriving the following day. The month of April was spent inport with various inspections and assist visits including the FTC Ravir trainer which provided valuable synthetic anti-air warfare training. The SELRES weekend of 16-17 April was also held inport. During 4-5 May Cone received the Force 3-M Inspection. During the SELRES weekend of 7-8 May, Cone was underway in the Charleston operating area with the Reserve Fleet Training Group in preparation for refresher training in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After weeks of preparation, Cone departed for Guantanamo Bay on 20 May, arriving on the 23rd. Off the northern coast of Cuba on 22 May, Cone encountered the "Wizard of Bristol" an American pleasure craft that had just been released from Cuban custody. The skipper of the boat was offered assistance, but this was not required and the ship proceeded on to Guantanamo Bay. Cone was underway for refresher training on the first day scheduled. Intensive training continued for three weeks, interupted briefly bya special ship's party on the 29th of May, and a port call to Port-au-Prince, Haiti on 4-5 June. On 10 June Cone transited to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, where inport preparations for WSAT were made. Cone transited to Fredrickstead, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on 17 June. 18-21 June were spent on the WSAT range. Cone moored at Fredrickstead in the evening for liberty. The evening of 21 June was used to transit to Vieques, Puerto Rico, for naval gunfire support training. During the period of 22-24 June, Cone was on the NGFS range and successfully qualified. MT 52 was manned primarily by a very enthusiastic group of honorary gunners mates from "B" Division, and from the Wardroom and CPO Quarters who serenaded the ship with a vivacious rendition of "Country Roads" when the ship received word it had qualified on the range and course was set for Charleston. Back in Charleston for only four days, Cone was underway for Delta Services on 30 June, and for a dependent's cruise on 1 July. While on this cruise, STG3 Robert Rasin was married to Miss Debbie Bell. Channel 2 TV in Charleston carried the wedding and the cruise on their evening weather presentation. SELRES weekend of 9-10 July was spent underway. All ammunition was offloaded on 15 July. An IMAV with SIMA Charleston began on 18 July and a RAV with Braswell Shipyard began on 25 July. Various repairs such as hull repairs were conducted. Both periods ended on 30 August. VADM Reed, COMNAVSUURFLANT, visited Cone on the afternoon of 2 August and spent several hours aboard talking with the crew, the CPO's, and the officers. Cone was reinspected in 3-M on 9-10 August, receiving a grade of satisfactory. The SELRES weekend of 12-14 August was held inport and was devoted to an HRAV survey. ACDUTRA commenced on 15 August and continue through 27 August. On 25 August the Supply Department received the Supply Management Inspection. During 29 August - 2 September and 5-11 September, COMDESRON Three Four NRF conducted an IUC Command Inspection. The Commodore, Capt. W. D. Daniels, was embarked for the SELRES weekend of 10-11 September. Cone was underway on 19 September for COMPTUEX 6-77. During this exercise, an underway replenishment was conducted with USS Milwaukee (AOR 2) on 20 September. On this same day, USS Mosopelia (ATF 158) provided services for Z-30/31-G. Over 150 rounds were fired with no casualties or malfunctins. Cone detached and returned to Charleston on 23 September. Cone performed exceptionally well in sports during the fall. The football team, after leading in first place for most of the season, finished up in Second Place among the Charleston afloat commands. EMFN Gary Clarke finished in number one place in his boxing weight group twice during the year, the second time during the base Navy Birthday celebrations. Navy Birthday was celebrated on 5 October with the annual ship's picnic. 10-16 October was the Navy Birthday week with special events being conducted. Personnel from Cone participated in various events during the Cone celebration. The highlight of the week was the Sixth Naval District Commandant's Retreat and awards received on 13 October. 15-16 October was an underway SELRES weekend in the local operations area. A FEWSG van was onloaded 20 October and Cone was underway that afternoon for services with USS Eisenhower (CVN 69). Cone joined up with COMPTUEX 1-78 on 23 October. There were UNREPS with USS Kalamazoo (AOR 6) on both 25 and 26 October. Detaching on 26 October Cone arrived in Nassau, Bahamas, for a port visit until 31 October. Underway for Charleston, Cone made a brief port call in Mayport, Florida, on 1 November to refuel and off-load the FEWSG van. Cone arrived in Charleston on the morning of 2 November. Cone was underway again in the local operations area on 19 November for SELRES weekend. During the weekend there was a night UNREP with USS Kalamazoo (AOR 6) and a night illumination gunshoot. After a demanding weekend, Cone returned to Charleston on 20 November for upkeep. The underway SELRES weekend of 9-11 December was in the local operations area devoted to Delta services. There was a special ship's Christmas party on 15 December. LCDR Streets was relieved as Executive Officer by LCDR Roger D. Parish on 23 December. Cone spent the remainder of the month in port resting from a demanding but successful year. Cone began 1978 moored pierside at Pier "S" Charleston, S.C. for a tender availability. On 22 January the SELRES Crew and COMDESRON 34 were embarked for a very brief at-sea period. Cone conducted ASW Operations, a helo exercise and a burial at sea. The remains of Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Mattick were committed to the sea. Mr. Mattick's son, STG1 Stanley Mattick, was aboard for the ceremony. For the remainder of the month of January and through the 24th of February, Cone was busy preparing for the INSURV inspection. Beginning 13 February and ending 17 February personnel, administration, and PMS inspections by COMDESRON 34 were successfully completed. During the weekend of 25-26 February Cone conducted inport SELRES training. Word was received on 13 March that CDR McLaine would not return to Cone due to medical problems. LCDR Parish assumed the duties as acting CO while Lt. Smith became acting XO. Cone was underway 14-19 March for a pre-INSURV shake-down cruise. 17-18 March Cone visited Savannah, Ga., for the St. Patrick's Day festivities. The SELRES Crew was embarked for the transit to Charleston. The period 3-7 April was devoted to an INSURV inspection. During this inspection Cone successfully achieved full power and received many favorable comments from the inspection team regarding the material condition of the ship. Change of Command was held 26 April. CDR George E. Pierce, from COMCRUDESGRU 2 staff relieved LCDR R. D. Parish (Acting CO) as Commanding Officer of Cone. 14-26 May Cone was underway with Commander Pierce as her Commanding Officer and COMDESRON 34 embarked to participate in Operation Solid Shield. During this exercise, intense training in Gunnery, ASW, and underway replenishment was completed, and Cone served as a simulated enemy opposition force for this major amphibious exercise off the coast of North Carolina. COMCRUDESGRU TWO sponsored a small boat regatta for all units inport in Charleston on 2 June 1978. Cone's Motor Whale Boat was entered and was awarded second place for its smart appearance and skillful maneuvers. The SELRES Crew and COMDESRON 34 embarked 17-18 June for the weekend. Cone transited to Port Everglades 20-23 June. A port visit was made 24-27 June and enjoyed by all. Cone was underway form Port Everglades 27 June and moored in Charleston 28 June. For the first two weeks of July, Cone remained inport. The inport period was devoted to personnel training. Personnel from several divisions were sent ashore to schools for training. Cone welcomed her new Executive Officer aboard on 21 July. LCDR E. D. Smith relieved Lt. S. W. Smith, the Acting Executive Officer. On 29 July Cone was underway for Bloodsworth Island, Maryland, to conduct training and qualification in Naval Gunfire Support. Upon completion, Cone steamed up the Potomac River for Washington, DC. On 1 August Cone passed Washington's Tomb at Mount Vernon, Virginia. The ship's Honor Guard paraded on the ASROC Deck and as Cone passed abeam of the tomb, all hands were called to attention and honors rendered. Cone moored at Washington, DC, that morning. Cone was underway from Washington, DC, on 3 August for participation in COMTUEX 4-78. Cone rendezvoused with Task Group 21.2 on 4 August. During this operation, AAW and ASW Exercises were conducted, including Exercise ASROC and Torpedo Firing. Completing a very intensive at-sea operation, Cone proceeded to Charleston and moored on the 11th of August. 15 August, Cone was underway for Pensacola, Florida, arriving 18 August, and embarked USS Owens' SELRES Crew. Cone's thirty-third birthday was celebrated. The SELRES weekend was spent at sea. Cone debarked the Owens' SELRES Crew on the 20th of August. Cone got underway for New Orleans August 21, arriving the next day. Cone was underway with USS Lawe's SELRES Crew onboard on 25 August for underway SELRES training. The reserves were debarked back in New Orleans on the 26th. The 27th saw Cone underway for home where she arrived on 31 August. The entire month of September was spent inport. Cone got underway only once during the month of October. On 21 October the SELRES Crew embarked for an underway SELRES weekend. On 14 November Cone was underway for Exercise GULFEX 79 and conducted air gunnery her first day out. The following day, 15 November, Cone rendezvoused with Task Force 21. On the 22nd of November, Cone unreped with HMS Green Rover, a British Oiler, refueling by NATO coupling. Cone arrived in Coatzacoalcos, V.C., Mexico on 27 November to participate in a missile exercise. On 3 December Cone arrived back in Charleston. Cone was underway on 15 December to conduct exercises with DESRON 34 ships over the weekend. Intensive training included Surface Gunnery and an unrep with USNS Marias (AO 57). After this busy weekend, all hands welcomed the Christmas Season and the end of another demanding, but successful, year. 1979 dawned with Cone preparing for READEX 1-79. Prior to departure, a 3-M Assist Visit was held on the 9th of January. On 15 January Cone was underway for READEX 1-79 during which the crew exercised in AAW, Gunnery, ASROC firing, and Over-the-Horizon Targeting. Port visits at St. Croix, 24-28 Jan., and St. Lucia, 6-8 February, were welcomed and deserved breaks for the crew during these exercises. While at St. Lucia, the Royal Governor of the Island and the Mayor of Castries visited. During January, the ship was notified that it was scheduled for decommissioning in FY-80. On the 21st of February the IMAV planning conference was held followed by the embarkment of the SELRES Crew on the 24th and 25th. The annual port visit to Savannah, Georgia was made on the 14th. Cone participated with the SELRES Crew embarked. Cone returned to Charleston on 18 March with the SELRES Crew and members of the Savannah Navy League. The SIMA Arrival Conference was held on 21 March, followed on the 22nd and 23rd by COMNAVSURLANT 3-M Reinspection. COMDESRON 34 was aboard 28 March for award presentations including: Sailor of the Year, Sailor of the Quarter, and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Pins. On 30 March Cone was underway for COMTUEX 2-79. During COMTUEX 2-79, Cone participated in AAW and ASW drills, as well as EW Exercises. Refueling and port visits were made at Roosevelt Roads. Cone returned to Charleston on 14 April. On 8 May Cone departed for SLQ-32 operations in the Jacksonville OPAREA, returning to Charleston on the 10th. 12-13 May was the SELRES Inport Weekend. On 14 May, a contingent of officers and enlisted from the Greek Navy arrived and used the week for inspecting Cone for possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS). Cone was underway on 21 May for SLQ-34 Operations in the Puerto Rico OPAREA. USS Meredith's SELRES Crew was embarked during the first part of these operations, 18 May through 1 June. Fuel stops were made at Roosevelt Roads along with port visits there and at St. Martin. The regular SELRES Crew was embarked for the last part of the operation, 2 June through 17 June. Cone arrived in Charleston on 12 June. During the transit back to Charleston a cookout was held on the fantail which turned out to be a great success. Cone participated in Delta Services with USS Grant. The SELRES Crew was on board during these services, 15-17 June. This was a memorable experience due to the very heavy weather. The SELRES Crew disembarked upon arrival back in Charleston. Cone entered the Detyen Shipyard in Cainhoy, South Carolina in September for an extensive overhaul. 12 October saw a Change of Command ceremony aboard Cone. CDR H. R. Quarles, Jr. relieved CDR G. E. Pierce as the new Commanding Officer of Cone. The new year, 1980, opened with Cone continuing her overhaul in Cainhoy, South Carolina. A significant milestone was attained on 25 January with undocking followed by the ship's departure from the yard for Charleston Naval Base on 8 February. Rearming at Naval Weapons Station, Charleston on 11-12 March Cone visited Savannah, Georgia from 15-18 March to mark St. Patrick's day there. Embarked for the visit were members of the Selected Reserve Unit who remained aboard to conduct their annual active duty for training. Departing from Savannah on 18 March, Cone returned to Charleston briefly and then proceeded to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico arriving there on 24 March. While in the Caribbean, Cone conducted surface gunnery exercises against high speed drone targets and fired live ASW weapons on the underwater test range at speed drone targets and fired live ASW weapons on the underwater test range at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Completion of weapons exercise on 27 March marked the end of an intensive period of training for the ship and was the first time in more than a year that both the nucleus crew and the Selected Reserve Unit had the opportunity to conduct comprehensive exercises together. Preparations for LOT II of the ship's overhaul occupied the attention of the nucleus crew on return to homeport and throughout the month of April. Entering Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 5 May, Cone commenced a six month period of repair and modernization work designed to extend the ship's useful life for several more years and to bring her into compliance with modern standards concerning sanitation systems and elimination of asbestos insulation. On 18 August Cone celebrated her 35th anniversary. At this point the overhaul was more than half complete and the crew nearly ready to reembark the ship. The next major milestone was successful completion of the Propulsion Plant Light Off Inspection by Commander, Destroyer Squadron Thirty-Four and the 600/1200 PSI Steam Mobile Training Team. Sea trials in late October and early November followed. Returning to Charleston in mid-November, Cone resumed her mission as a member of the reorganized Naval Reserve Force. Now part of SURFACE SQUADRON TWO, whose headquarters are located in Newport, Rhode Island she embarked upon an intensive period of post overhaul upkeep in order to make ready for a return to the Caribbean early in the following year. Underway drills for the Selected Reserve Unit were conducted during both November and December in the waters off Charleston signaling the renewal of the training mission for which the ship is primarily employed. In the closing weeks of the year, Cone entered a period of leave and upkeep to mark the holidays. 1981 began with the leave and upkeep period continuing into February. After a successful sea trial in early February, Cone headed south to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico for a Weapons System Accuracy Test. The first few days were spent checking the weapons systems for proper operability and accuracy. After all systems were properly aligned, Cone sailed to St. Croix and the WSAT Range for two ASROC and two torpedo exercise firings. Upon completion of the four successful shots, she proceeded to Vieques Island for Naval Gunfire Support qualification. On 1 March Cone commenced NGFS; but, was unable to complete due to a material casualty. After refueling in Roosevelt Roads, Cone returned to Charleston for IMAV and upkeep. Cone's annual port visit to Savannah, Georgia for St. Patrick's Day on March 17th was cancelled when Cone ran aground in Charleston Harbor. Cone returned pierside for a complete underwater hull inspection, after the grounding and found no damage to the ship. 14-15 March was SELRES weekend oboard. After an investigation of the grounding by COMDESRON FOUR, on 26 March 1981, CDR H. R. Quarles, Jr. was relieved of command by LCDR R. M. Butterworth who became the acting Commanding Officer. While awaiting a new Commanding Officer, Cone made preparations for selected refresher training and had SELRES weekend inport on 11-12 April. On 21 April CDR Mack C. Gaston assumed command. With a new Commanding Officer Cone sailed for selected refresher training on 29 April. Upon arrival in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba the Cone SELRES Crew boarded for their drill weekend and two weeks active duty. Completing selected refresher training and a port visit to Port Antonio, Jamaica, Cone returned to the Weapon Station, Charleston on 18 March for a complete ammunition offload. This offload was scheduled due to a planned overhaul of ship's weapons systems and magazine maintenance. Cone was also tasked to provide 56 of her crew members for crossdecking to other ships for "Ocean Venture 81" on 31 May 1981. During the summer there was a considerable amount of repair work completed and the several SELRES weekends were spent Fast Cruising and training personnel. On 30 August Cone's crew members returned from "Ocean Venture 81". 28-30 September was spent underway in the Charleston OPAREA operationally checking repairs made during the summer. On 2 October Cone onloaded ammo at the Weapon Station, Charleston. 10 October saw Cone going to sea for independent steaming and exercises followed by a port visit to Port Royal, South Carolina for Navy Day. 14 October Cone returned to Charleston. Late in the month Cone's dependents went to sea for a one day cruise. This day, 24 October, produced high winds and rough seas, resulting in the dependents being extremely glad to return to solid ground. The next day Cone went Charleston OPAREA for training and a port visit to Port Everglades, Florida for Halloween. She returned to Charleston on 4 November. 16-17 November was spent underway for submarine services in the Charleston OPAREA. On 11 December the ship had a Christmas party in conjunction with the SELRES crew. 13 December saw Cone with SELRES embarked underway for training and exercising of equipment. The remainder of the year was spent in leave and upkeep period. ...continued on page 5...