1990 C O U 5 N O HISTORY T I M E L I N E

0 1 - 0 5 J A N - P O R T V I S I T , PHATTAYA B E A C H , T H A I L A N D .

06 J A N - UNDERWAY F O R S U B I C B A Y , R P , I N COMPANY W I T H B A T T L E GROUP 'ROMEO' .

0 7 J A N - LONEWOLF 4 7 , EMBARKED HELO FROM H S L 4 5 , D E T 1 0 , C R A S H E S I N T O T H E S E A

8 0 N M O F F T H E C O A S T O F V I E T M A N I N 120 F T O F WATER. F L I G H T CREW O F

T H R E E IS R E S C U E D B Y S H I P ' S MOTOR WHALEBOAT.

0 8 - 1 1 J A N - ANCHORED, A W A I T I N G SALVAGE V E S S E L S . 6

12 J A N - U S N S S I O U X ( T - A T F 170) AND U S S T U S C A L O O S A ( L S T 1187) A R R I V E AT

C R A S H S I T E T O R E L I E V E T H E CHAMP AND R E C O V E R LONEWOLF 4 7 .

14 JAN - A R R I V E NAVSTA S U B I C B A Y , R P . -

1 7 J A N - L C D R K E V I N M. Q U I N N , U S N , R E L I E V E S CDR J O S E P H J . N A T A L E , U S N , A S

E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R .

19 JAN - U S N S S I O U X R E C O V E R S WRECKAGE O F LONEWOLF 4 7 .

2 0 J A N - U S S NEW J E R S E Y (BB 6 2 1 , RADM R E A S O N , COMCRUDESGRU ONE EMBARKED, AND .

T H E C I N C P A C F L T CHANGE O F COMMAND, . E F F E C T I V E L Y E N D I N G B A T T L E GROUP

'ROMEO' O P E R A T I O N S .

2 2 J A N - UNDERWAY F O R S U B I C O F A R E A S AND N G F S E X E R C I S E S . U S N S S I O U X A R R I V E S

AT NAS C U B 1 P O I N T . -- W I T H HULK O F LONEWOLF 4 7 . ---- - - -

2 3 J A N - S C O R E D 1 0 0 % D U R I N G N G F S DAY-LONG E X E R C I S E S . 4

2 4 J A N - B E G A N . ' C G S A G ' O P E R A T I O N S ( T A S K GROUP 7 5 . 1 , UNDER TACCOM O F RADM

C Y E S B R O U G H , U S N , C T F 7 5 1 , E N P O U T E SASEBO J A P A N I N COMPANY W I T H

U S S S T E I N ( F F 10651, U S S LOCKWOOD ( F F 1 0 6 4 ) AND U S N S NAVASOTA

25 J A N - CG S A G R E S P O N D E D T O S O S FROM T H E SUNKEN M/V HUAZHU, R E S C U I N G 1 4

SURVIVORS AND RECOVERING F I V E BODIES. A L L ~ A R E CONSOLIDATED O N BOARD I -

LAKE C H A M P L A I N F O R T R A N S P O R T T O S U E I C W H I L E R E M A I N D E R O F T G 75 .1 , , a

C O N T I N U E D S A S E B O T R A N S I T .

26 J A N - A R R I V E S U B I C B A Y , R P , T O O F F L O A E S U R V I V O R S AND D E C E A S E D . UNDERWAY,

EN ROUTE SASEBO AND TG 75.1 RENDEZVOUS,

2H JAN - RENDEZVOUS WITH GG SAG UNITS AND UNREF WITH USNS NAVASOTA.

29 JAN - ARRIVE SASEBO, JAPAN.

30JAN-04FEB - PORT VISIT SASEBO, HOSTING NUMEROUS JAPANESE TOUR GROUPS.

05 FEB - UNDERWAY WITH TG 75.1, EN ROUTE ASWEX 90-1 US IN THE SEA OF JAPAN,

CTF 75 STAFF EMBARKED.

06-09 FEB - ASWEX 90-1 US.

08 FEB - CTF 75, RADM CHESBROUGH, EMBARKED ON BOARD TO OBSERVE ASWEX 90 AND

PRESENTS AWARDS TO CREWMEN INVOLVED IN THE SAR OF THE M/V HUAZHU.

10 FEB - ASWEX 90-1 US CONCLUDES, CTF 75 AND STAFF DEPART, AND TG 75.1

TRANSITS THROUGH THE SHIMONOSECKI STRAIT.

12 FEB - ARRIVE YOKOSUKA, JAPAN.

13-15 FEB - 3M ASSIST VISI'T FROM USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD 37).

16 FEB - UNDERWAY EN ROUTE PEARL HARBOR, HI. UPON CLEARING THE HARBOR, LAKE

CHAMPLAIN WAS NOTIFIED THAT HER REMAINING HELO, LONEWOLF 53, WAS NOT

WITHIN FLIGHT SPECS AND COULD NOT FLY OUT. THE CHAMP RETURNED PIER-

SIDE WHILE USS STEIN AND USS LOCKWOOD DEPARTED FOR PEARL.

18 F'EB - LONEWOLF 53 REPAIRED, LAKE CHAMPLAIN UNDERWAY EN ROUTE PEARL HARBOR.

-- - - 23 F'EB '- CROSSED THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE, RECOVERING L_OS_T DAY AND - - -- - -

CELEBRATING WITH A STEEL BEACH PICNIC. * 4

26 F'EB - RENDEZVOUS WITH OTHER TG 75.1 UNITS, ARRIVE PEARL HARBOR. COMDESRON

35 AND STAFF (EMBARKED IN USS STEIN) ENJOY THEIR LONG-AWAITED HOME-

COMING .

27 FEB - DEPART PEARL, EN ROUTE NAVSTA, SAN DIEGO, CA.

05 MAR - UNREP WITH USNS KAWISHIWI (TAO 1461, LAST UNREP OF THE DEPLOYMENT.

06 MAR - LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S FIRST WESTERN PACIFIC/IND~AN OCEAN DEPLOYMENT ENDS f

AS SHE RETURNS TO 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION, SAN DIEGO, CA. 9 , *

07MAR-02APR - POST-DEPLOYMENT STANDDOWN.

02-06 APR - LAMPS MOBILE TEAM TRAINING UNIT ASSIST.

- - 13 AFR - FAST CRUISE.

16-18 A F R - UNDERWAY F O R S O C A L O P S .

2 3 - 2 6 A P R - 3M/SMA ( S U P P L Y MANAGEMENT A S S E S S M E N T ) I N S P E C T I O N S .

27 A P R - ABORTED M I S S I L E O F F L O A D A T NORTH I S L A N D BRAVO P I E R DUE T O P I E R CRANE

P R O B L E M S .

2 8 A P R - S P A N I S H M I D S H I P M E N T O U R .

09 NMY - ANNUAL S P R I N G F L I N G P I C N I C . *

14-18 NIAY - S E C U R I T Y STANDDOWN,

17 MAY - A M M O / M I S S I L E ON-LOAD, BRAVO P I E R , NORTH I S L A N D . AT C O N C L U S I O N O F

ON-LOAD, MOORED T O C A R R I E R P I E R , NAS NORTH I S L A N D F O R ARMED F O R C E S

DAY T O U R S .

19 MAY - ARMED F O R C E S DAY V I S I T S H I P , H O S T I N G A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 3 , 2 0 0 P E O P L E .

2 1 MAY - R E T U R N T O N A V S T A , 3 2 N D S T R E E T , P I E R 2

2 2 BUY - RADM R E A S O N , COMCRUDESGRU O N E , COMMENCED T H E I S I C COMMAND I N S P E C T I O N .

W I T H A P E R S O N N E L I N S P E C T I O N AND AWARDS CEREMONY.

2 4 I U Y - COMMAND I N S P E C T I O N COMPLETED

2 5 IvIAY - UNDERWAY, E N ROUTE A C A P U L C O , M E X I C O . H S L 4 5 , D E T 8 A EMBARKS ON

B O A R D , L T C H I P L A I N G E N , O I C .

30 IVIAY '- A R R I V E ACA_PULCO, M E X I C O . - - - - - - ---a.

31 ;MAY - COMMANDING O F F I C E R , C A P T A I N R . K . M A R T I N , U S N , AND MS. s #

ARE MARRIED B Y L T , C H A P L A I N C O R P S , U S N , I N

C K R E M O N I E S CONDUCTED B E N E A T H , T H E S H I P ' S B E L L ON T H E F O R E C A S T L E . . 01 J U N - QMCM(SW1 W I L L I A M B . H E R B E R T , U S N , L A K E C H A M P L A I N ' S F I R S T COMMAND

MASTER C H I E F , R E T I R E S D U R I N G C E R E M O N I E S HELD ON T H E F L I G H T D E C K . HE

I S R E L I E V E D A S CMC B Y F C C S ( S S 1 LARRY H . T A Y L O R , U S N .

0 2 JUN - SHIP DRAGS ANCHOR I N HIGH WINDS, BUT I S MOSED TO NEW ANCHORAGE BY f

DUTY S E C T I O N . , , *

03 J U N - UNDERWAY, E N ROUTE S A N D I E G O , C A .

06 J U N - ' H U B C A P ' V U L N E R A B I L I T Y . EXTENDED UNDERWAY F O R LAW ENFORCEMENTS O P S .

.- - k77- J1!N - TJ, S C O A E T GUARD LAW ENFORCEMENT D E T E M B A R K S , L T J O E B I L L Y , O I C .

13 J U N - DETACHED FROM L . E . O P S , E N ROUTE S A N D I E G O , C A .

14 J B N - F R O S P E C T I V E COMMANDING O F F I C E R A R R I V E S V I A HELO AB TURNOVER F R O C E G S

15 J U N - A R R I V E S A N D I E G O , C A .

20 J U N - S H I P ' S WELFARE AND R E C S P O N S O R S B A H I A B E L L E C R U I S E F O R CREW.

23 J U N - C A P T A I N R . K . M A R T I N , U S N , F I R S T COMMANDING O F F I C E R O F USS LAKE

C H A M P L A I N , I S R E L I E V E D B Y C A P T A I N EDWARD K . K R I S T E N S E N , U S N , I N

C E R E M O N I E S CONDUCTED BY RADM R E A S O N , CONCRUDESGRU O N E , ON T H E F L I G H T

D E C K . .-

25 J U N - B E R T H S H I F T T O NORTH I S L A N D F O R ON-LOAD O F S T A N D O F F LAND ATTACK

M I S S 1 L E (SLAM) P R O T O T Y P E S .

26 J U N - LAKE C H A M P L A I N BECOMES F I R S T S H I P T O F I R E T H E S L A M .

27 J U N - RETURNED T O N A V S T A , S A N D I E G O , C A : -

09 J U L - NWAT AND NAVY FOOD MANAGEMENT A S S I S T B E G I N .

11 J U L - NWAT COMPLETED

13 J U L - COMPLETED NAVY FOOD MANAGEMENT A S S I S T .

19 J U L - U/W F O R P O R T V I S I T T O P O R T HUENEME, CA T O T A K E P A R T I N P O R T HUENEME

' S E A F A I R . - . . ... - . - . - . .- . - -

... -.

20 J U I , - MOORED P O R T HUENEME, C A B E R T H N 0 . 4 , S T B D S I D E T O . s 1

21 J U L - CONDUCTED ' V I S I T S H I P ' T O U R S A S P A R T O F P O R T HUENEME S E A F A I R .

22 J U L - H O S T E D WARDROOM R E C E P T I O N F O R NCBC P O R T HUENEME O F F I C E R S AND V I P s .

23 J U L - U/W FROM P O R T HUENEME F O R ' A L L COMERS AT S E A ' ( A C A T ) E X E R C I S E S I N

S O C A L O P A R E A S .

25-26 J U L - EMBARKED RADM G . S T R A U S S E R , U S N , COMF'ACMISTESTCEN, V I A H E L O F O R

M I S S I L E X . I

t

26 J U L - M I S S I L E X W I T H U S S LEAHY (CG 1 6 ) ; RADM S T R A U S S E R D E P A R T S V I A H E L O . r , *

27 J U L - D U R I N G ACAT T O R P E X , C G 57 F I R E S ONE T O R P E D O , LONEWOLF 40 UNDER LAKE

C H A M P L A I N CONTROL F I R E S S E C O N D T O R P E D O . RETURNED T O S A N D I E G O ,

MOORED PORT SIDE TO PIER JULIET, NAS NORTH ISLAND IN PREPARATION FOR

SAN DIEGO PORT VISIT OF SOVIET WARSHIPS.

31 JUL - ADM LARSON, CINCPACFLT AND RADM REASON, CONCRUDESGRU ONE EMBARK AND

RENDER HONORS TO PASSING SOVIET SHIPS. LAKE CHAMPLAIN FIRES 17 GUN

SALUTE. CINCPACFLT AND COMCRUDESGRU ONE DEPART. LAKE CHAMPLAIN U/W

FROM PIER JULIETT NAS NORTH ISLAND, MOORED PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL

STATION.

01 AUG - 9024 BEGINS.

03 AUG - COMPLETE 9024.

06 AUG - U/W FROM PIER 8 , 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION TO SEAL BEACH NAVAL

WEAPONS STATION. CONDUCTED NGFS ON SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND EN ROUTE.

07 AUG - ARRIVE SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION FOR AMMO OFFLOAD.

08 AUG - U/W FROM SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION EN ROUTE PIER 30, SAN

FRANCISCO, CA. -

09 ALlG - CONDUCTED LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S FIRST BURIAL AT SEA CEREMONY. FIVE

CREMAINS ARE SCATTERED.

10 AUG - ARRIVE PIER 30, SAN FRANCISCO, CA FOR TEAM TRNG.

13 AUG - COMMENCE AEGIS TEAM TRNG.

17 ALIG '- FINEX AEGIS TEAM TRNG. -U/W FROM PIER 30, SAN FRANCISCO, _CA- EN ROUTE - --- - - - - - - -

SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION TO CONTINUE WEAPONS OFFLOAD PRIOR 8 1

TO THE SHIP'S PLANNED RESTRICTED AVAILABILITY (PRAV).

20 AUG - MqORED SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION.

21 AUG - U/W FROM SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION EN ROUTE SAN DIEGO, CA.

PERFORMED SHIP'S SECOND BURIAL AT SEA CEREMONY. ONE CREMAIN

SCATTERED. MOORED PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION.

25 AllG - YOKOSUKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TOUR. i

I - 27-29 AUG - NTPI.

8 , * 04 SE:P - U/W FROM PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION TO CONDUCT CNO PROJ 961

(F-14D EVALUATION) .

05 SEF: WDM WEBETEE, CCIMOPTEVFOR EMBARKS VIA HELD:

88 BEP - COMOPTEVFOH DEFARTS VIA HELO. 07 SEP - MOORED PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION.

10-13 SEF - CONDUCTED ASW PHASE I TEAM TRNG.

13 SE:P - HOSTED USAF TOUR.

14 SEP - TOUR FOR EX-USS WRIGHT CREW MEMBERS.

17 SEP -- DEADSTICK MOVE FROM PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION TQSOUTHWEST

MARINE SHIPYARD. THE SHIP'S FIRST PLANNED RESTRICTED AVAILABILITY

BEG1 NS .

17-21 SEP - CONDUCTED ASW PHASE I1 TEAM TRNG. .. .-

25-26 OCT - LAKE CHAMPLAIN PASSES LIGHT OFF ASSESSMENT. 07 NOV - U/W FROM SOUTHWEST MARINE TO SOCAL OPAREAS FOR SEA TRIALS. UNREP

WITH USNS NAVASOTA.

08 NOV - MOORED PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION. 13 NOV - DEADSTICK MOVE TO PIER 2, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION IN PREPARATION

FOR COMCRUDESGRU ONE'S CHANGE OF COMMAND.

19-23 NOV - CONDUCTED MTT PHASE I. --

21 IgOV - LAKE CHAMPLAIN HOSTS CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR COMCRUDESGRU ONE.. RADM

PHILLIP R. OLSON RELIEVES RADM J. PAUL REASON. I

-- - -- - - - 27 NOV - U/W FROM PIER-2, 32ND STREET NAVAL-STATION. EN ROUTE SEAL BEACH

NAVAL ~ A P O N S STATION FOR WEAPONS ONLOAD. 4

28 NOV - ARRIVE SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION.

29 NOV - U;W-FROM SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION EN ROUTE PIER 8, 32ND

STREET NAVAL STATION, MOOR NAVSTA.

03 DEC - U/W FROM PIER 8, 32ND STREET TO SOCAL OPAREAS FOR 'ALL COMERS AT . SEA' TRNG.

i

04 DEC - CONDUCTED NGFS FIREX 11. I

06 DEC - PARTICIPATED IN ACAT MISSILEX. LAUNCHED AN SM2 FROM THE AFT

LAUNCHER. UNREP WITH USNS NAVASOTA.

87 DEC - PARTICIPATED IN ACAT TORPEDO EXERCISE ASW 18/24-SF. MOORED PIER 8, -

32ND STREET NAVAL STATION.

10 DEC - U/W FROM PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION EN ROUTE SOCAL OPERATIONS

FOR MTT PHASE 11.

10-14 DEC - CONDUCTED MTT PHASE 11.

11-13 ClEC - PARTICIPATED IN ASW EXERCISE WITH USS PASADENA.

14 DEC - MOORED PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION. 19 DEC - U/W FROM PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION, EN ROUTE SEAL BEACH

NAVAL WEAPONS STATION FOR WEAPONS ONLOAD.

21 DEC - U/W FROM SEAL BEACH NAVAL WEAPONS STATION EN ROUTE SAN DIEGO, CA. - -

MOORED PIER 8, 32ND STREET NAVAL STATION.

USB LAKE CHAhiFLAIN began lg9fl at anchor in the waters off Phattaya Beach,

Thailand, in company with Battle Group 'Romeo'. The group included USS NEW

JERSEY (BB 62) , USS LYNDE MCCORMICK (DDG 8) , USS LOCKWOOD (FF 1064) and USS

STEIN (FF 1065). With WESTPAC '89-'90 more than half complete, the crews of

these ships were taking time out to enjoy the sunny, warm weather of Ben

Phattaya, not to mention the excellent shopping opportunities available both

there and in Bangkok. January '6 saw the group depart for Subic Bay Naval

Station. 6

On the evening of 7 January at approximately 1830, LONEWOLF 47, one of two

embarked SH-60 LAMPS helicopters FROM HSL 45, Det 10, experienced catastrophic

tail rotor failure while conducting deck landing qualifications. The pilot in

command, LT , USN, managed to keep the aircraft under control long

enough to jettison the RAST cable and clear the ship before ditching into the

sea. Almost immediately, flight crash alarms sounded, the boat crew readied the

duty lifeboat and LAKE CHAMPLAIN came about to make the recovery.

It had taken only a few minutes for LONEWOLF 47 to f i l l with seawater and .. - .- --

sink, but in those few minutes LT , his co-pilot, LTJG , and

aircrewman AW2 managed to escape unharmed and inflate their life jackets. '

As LAKE CHAMPLAIN came around, her conn under the control of her Commanding ,

Officers ,- CAPT. 3,- K. MarLin-, the three -d-ewned airmen lashed themselves -together --

and awaited rescua. Their reflective helmets were spotted moroents later in the

glare of the ship's powerful search lights, and the motor whaleboat was lowered

soon after. On.ly 14 minutes ,after declaring an in-flight emergency and ditching ,

into the sea, the crew of LONEWOLF 47 were safely back aboard LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Within the hour they were transported to USS NEW JERSEY aboard SEASNAKE 16, USS

STEIN'S embarked SH-2 helo, for medical evaluation and overnight observation. 1

All were pronounced fit and unharmed the follo,wing morning. - There remained the problem of the aircraft itself, resting in 120 feet of

t 1 -

, . water only 80 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam. The very real threat

that the Vietnamese might recover the downed helicopter existed. Because of - -

this, LAKE CHAMPLAIN was instructed to remain behind in the vicinity of the

crash until arrangements could be made to send a properly equipped vessel to

salvage LONEWOLF. The remainder of Battle Group 'Romeo' continued on its way to

Subic Bay while the Champ stood guard in the area nf the crash site.

The following day saw LAKE CHAMPLAIN anchoring in the 16 fathom waters near

the crash area as she and her crew settled in to await their relief on station. *

Despite the wait, however, no one really had time to become bored. The Great Flu

Epidemic of 1990 began in earnest that same day, with as much as two-thirds of

the crew all but incapacitated from gastrointestinal distress- also known more

commonly as diarrhea and vomiting. The epidemic would last several days and

affect about 90 percent of the crew.

Finally, on 12 January, the USS TUSCALOOSA (LST 1187) and USNS SIOUX (T-ATF

170) arrived to begin salvage - operations. SIOUX went-to work almost immediately

upon arrival, her side-scanning sonar probing the waters in search of LONEWOLF ,

-47; LAKE CHAMPLAIN was at last able to continue-with her transit to Subic Bay,

and sh'e arrived two days later on 14 January. ,,-

January 17 marked a major change for the Champ as her first Executive

Officer, CDR Joseph J. Natale, USN, was relleved by LCDR Kevin M. Quinn, USN. The I

- -- - t-ran~ition-was both quiet and smooth as inport operations In Subic settled into

-

routine. 8 8

USNS SIOUX recovered the hulk of LONEWOLF 47 on 19 January, beginning her

return transl; that same day, in company with TUSCALOOSA. The following day

marked the concluslon of Battle Group 'Romeo' operations as USS NEW JERSEY and

USS LYNDE MCCORMICK departed for Pearl Harbor, HI, and the CINCPACFLT Change of*

Command. LAKE CHAMPLAIN was underway for NGFS exercises two days later on the I

22nd of January as USNS SIOUX and USS TUSCALOOSA arrived at NAS Cubi Point with

the w~eckage of LONEWOLF 47. , - January 23 saw LAKE CHAMPLAIN score 100 percent for a full day's shooting at

the S u b l c NGFS Range OFAREAZ, The f~nllowing day marked the beginning of ' CG

SAG' operatliong ag LAKE CHAWLAIN, in campany with USS STEIN, USS LOCKWOOD and

USNS NAVASOTA (T-A0 1061, as Task Group 75.1, began the long transit to Sasebo,

Japan. It would prove to be longer and more eventful than anyone could have

predicted.

In the late morning and early afternoon hours of 25 January, LAKE CHAMPLAIN

and her escorts began receiving SOS messages indicating that the 150 foot *

merchant vessel HUAZHU, carrying a heavy cargo of large uncut logs was taking on

water in heavy seas in the vicinity of the SAG'S proposed track. The four ships

proceeded toward HUAZHU's last reported position at maximum speed to begin a - .r

search for her, the weather and seas worsening as the day progressed.

Upon arrival in the vicinity where HUAZHU had last reported herself, there

were at first no signs of her or her crew. Several merchant vessels were in the

area, also searching, but they all reported that they-had seen nothing of the

stricken vessel. Anotker half-hour went by when suddenly NAVASOTA's lookouts .: reported sighting large logs afloat off her starboard bow. Moments later, the

first survivors were spotted , clinging to the debris from the sunken motor

What f,ollowed was no less than heroic rescue efforts from the four Navy -- - . - - - --- - - - -

ships, coordinating three embarked helicopters and three flight decks to rapidly d

and safely rescue 14 survivors and recover five bodies. In ten to twelve foot i

seas and darkening, overcast skies, the helo flight crews and rescue swimmers

battled the elements and the' 'added danger of HUAZHU's adrift cargo to pull

survivors out of the frigid waters in the Northern Philippine seas. Of special

note were the efforts of Awl of.HSL 45, Det 10, embarked on board.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Petty Officer spotted a survivoq among a drift of logs

that were being buffetted by the heavy seas. bisregarbing his own personal

safety, he jumped into the rough waters'and pulled . . the man out. would

later be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions.

As the afternoon became evening, LAKE CHAMPLAIN was designated the main

cagualty collection Station. As survivors and bodies began to arrive, the

ship's crew, under the direction of LT , Medical Corps, USNR, and

HMC , ship's IDC, set up a triage to treat the injured. Of the

fourteen survivors, only two were seriously injured, and they received immediate

and intensive care that would later be credited with saving their lives. A

total of five bodies were recovered during the SAR efforts. The only crewman *

not ret:rieved- was the HUAZHU' s Captain, his body trapped in a particularly large

drift of debris and, therefore, deemed too dangerous to recover in the.ever-

worsening weather. F-

. . As darkness fell and the last of the surv'ivors were brought aboard, from the

other ships, LAKE CHAMPLAIN detached her three escorts to proceed to Sasebo

while she turned back to make a high speed transit to Subic Bay with her cargo

of rescued Chinese crewmen. -,-.

The morning of January 26 marked LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S arrival to Subic, where "

she moored starboard side to Alava Pier. As the uninjured survivors walked off

the brow and toward a waiting van, they turned-as a group to look back at the

ship that had safely delivered them ashore, waving at the. crewmen who lined the

rails a.nd waved back. The two serious injuryrases came next, one of them I

- miraculously able to-walk d5-i6 the brow- with only- s l s h t assistance, despite his

near death the night before from hypothermia. As he walked to'ward the ambulance

that was to take him to the Naval Hospital at Subic, he spotted LAKE CHAMPLAINfs

Captain stand;ng on the piers: The man approached him, said a few words of

thanks and then, overcome with emotion, hugged him before allowing himself to be

led off to the ambulance. The five bodies and the ship's papers and cashbox cave

next, after which LAKE CHAMPLAIN departed Subic for another high speed run, once i

again bound for Sasebo, Japan. Her total timet pierside-at Alava had been only 31

minutes from start to finish. I . *

The Champ caught up with the rest of TG75.1 two days later on 28 January,

refuelin8 from NAVAEOTA that Pame evening in preparation fnr the following daylP

arrival in Sasebo. The next morning proved cold, foggy, and rainy, a far cry

from the warm water ports the ship had previously encountered during the

deployment. In the often near-zero visibility, LAKE CHAMPLAIN and her escorts

safely navigated their way into Sasebo Harbor. At one point the STEIN, having

lost all of her radar due to an unknown casualty, was forced to follow 500 yards

astern of the Champ, but the casualty was soon corrected and the members of the

r! CG SAG settled in for the six-day port visit.

There followed a series of VIP visits to LAKE CHAMPLAIN, ranging from the

Mayor of Sasebo to several large groups of officers from the Japanese Maritime

Self Defense Force, to representatives of the Japanese media and legal

communities. In the meantime, the crew enjoyed tours to Hiroshima, the Noritake -. -

and Fukagawa china factories, and the nearby Japanese countryside. The Champ

and her escorts departed Sasebo after a relaxing visit, en route to ASW exercise

90-1 US in the Sea of Japan. CTF 75.1 staff-officers embarked aboard LAKE

CHAMPLAIN to observe first hand her ASW capabilities.

For the next four days the ships of 75.1 practiced the fine art of anti-

submarine warfare, utilizing shipboard and airborne assets to locate and attack

the unseen enemy, while at the same time trying to avoid counter-detection. On J

- - - - - a - .- - - .f --

8 February CTF 75:l RADM Chesbrough, USN, embarked in LAKE CHAMPLAIN to observe -

the remainder of ~ W E X 90-1 US. While on board the Champ, he4took time out to i

conduct an awards ceremony to honor those who took part in the SAR of the M/V

HUAZHU, stating-that he wase'extremcly proud to have such a fine group of men

and ships' under his command.

ASWEX 90-1 US concluded on 10 February, and RADM Chesbrough and his staff .

departed that same morning. The Champ then transited the Shimonosecki Strait,

bound for the U.S. Naval Station at Yokosuka, ' ~ a ~ a n . -

Twelve February saw the LAKE CHAMPMIN SAG arrive at a cold, rainy Yokosuka

Naval Station, where the Champ was nested outboard USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD 37)

and USS BUNKER HILL (CG 5 2 ) . Taking advantage of the the GOMPERS' proximity,

LAKE CHAMPLAIN arranged for a 3M Assist Visit in preparation for her upcoming 3M

inspection, scheduled for April. The three day-assist lasted from 13 to 15

February, and the end result was an overall evaluation of excellent.

Feb~ruary 16 marked the Champ's scheduled departure for Pearl Harbor, HI.

Her remaining embarked SH-GOB helicopter, LONEWOLF 53, shore-based for

maintenance during the port visit, was scheduled to fly out from ~tsugi NAS, but

* was grounded due to excessive vibration from the tail rotor assembly.

Unfortunately, the ship had already cleared the Naval Station Harbor when this

was discovered. LAKE CHAMPLAIN anchored just off the harbor, sending STEIN and

LOCKWOOD on their way to Pearl Harbor. When notified that the problem could not

be cleared up until at least the next day, the decision was made to return

pierside to the Naval Station. For a ship's company longing to make the trip

home, this was not welcome-news. .-

The following day was spent waiting for better n e m , with no one straying

too far from the ship lest they might miss movement. The wait was not to be a

very long one, however, as it was announced that evening that the Champ would

depart on the 18th, LONEWOLF 53 having satisfactorily passed her operational

checks. LAKE CHAMPLAIN departed for Pearl Harbor the next morning and recovered ,

LONEWOLF 53 on boa6dsoon after. The shlp was-at last homeward bound.

February 23 brbught with it the crossing of the internatidnal dateline, and

the crew celebrated by re-living the day originally lost when outbound for the

deployment, 06ttrber 2 1 , lgR9,. A $tee1 beach picnic and barbecue were held,

along with a talent show that featured very little real talent but did possess a

great deal of enthusiasm from a crew happy to be making the return trip to t h e i ~

homes and loved ones. i

LAKE CHAMPLAIN at last caught up to and rmdezvoused with STEIN and LOCKWOOD

on the morning of 26 February, leading t h e way in as the three warships entered

American waters for the first time in nearly six months. The crews were given a

preview of their own homecoming just one week away when COhDESRON 35 and staff,

stationed at Pearl Harbor, were greeted by their wives and girlfriends.

The following morning, February 27, LAKE CHAMPLAIN and her two escorts were

underway for the final leg of ihe journey home. The few remaining days of the

WESTPAC were spent making the ship ready for her return to San Diego. Cleaning

and polishing were the order of the day so that on March 5 , the day before her

arrival home, LAKE CHAMPLAIN was immaculate. At an awards ceremony to mark the 6

achievements of the crew during the deployment, Captain Martin thanked the men

for their efforts in keeping the Champ in top condition during the deployment

and for all their hard work to create her outstanding reputation.

'This is both a happy and sad occasion for us , ' he said in his comments

followirlg the distribution of the awards. 'It is happy because we're nearly

home after the long separation from our loved ones, but sad because this will be

the last time that this particular crew will be together. Once we return home, -

many of us will transfer to other ships or s h e e stations, to be replaced by

others who will not know anything of the fine job all of you have done here. It

is that hard work that has made LAKE CHAMPLAIN all that she is today, and for

that I thank you.'

An hour or so later, the Champ and her escorts met with USNS KAWISHIWI (T-A0 I

- - - -.-- - - . -

- 146) for their final TJNIIEF' of the deployment, a f t e r which the CG SAG was

disbanded as LOCK~OOD and STEIN were detached to proceed home 'independently.

When the last rig was broken free and the last shotline returned to the oiler,

LAKE CH:AMPLAI~~ broke away, her loudspeakers blaring 'California Girls" in

celebration of the homecoming now only just a few hours away.

Marlch 6 began with an early reveille, punctuated with strains of James

Brown's 'I Feel Good' over the 1MC. The crew, many of whom hadn't slept at all, i

greeted the music enthusiatically and set abodt to make final preparations for

entering port with nervous excitemen~t, *All hands were shifted into the uniform

for entering port, and soon after the navigation detail was set. The navigation

-- detail gave way to the sea and anchor detail, and the crew, dressed in service . - . ..- . . .

dress blue uniform, turned out to the sunny, crisp morning as LAKE CHAMPLAIN at

last ent,ered San Diego Bay.

The nervous anticipation grew as the Champ rounded the bend at North Island

and headed for the Coronado Bay Bridge. The ship passed the North Island

Carrier Pier and the Broadway Landing, and was soon beneath the bridge, slowing

to take the harbor pilot aboard. Once this was accomplished, she was back up to 4

ten knots, passing the shipyards and counting off the Navy piers one by one as

they slipped by. Captain Martin ordered the ship's whistle be s0unded.a~ they

approached Pier 8 where LAKE CHAMPLAIN was to berth.

At long last, the ship rounded the foot of Pier 8 and approached the

quay wa.11 where hundreds of LAKE CHAMPLAIN loved ones awaited her return. A

large balloon display with all the colors of the rainbow swayed gently in the

breeze, its delicate arch design topped by the enumber-57. Here and there in the

crowd were small children and infants held aloft, many of whom would be meeting

their lathers for the first time.

A 'huge cheer went up as the whistle was blown and the announcement, "moored,

shift colors' was made. After the-agonizingly slow ten minutes to secure the

brows in pJace were over, the long-dreamed-of and long awalted reunions were at - -. - - - - - - - a - - - .. -- - --

list a reality. The Champ had come home; her first WESTPAC was over. * ,

The next four weeks, 7 March through 1 April, would be designated as a post-

deployment standdown and leave period. Those not on leave still had time to L

relax as the chimp enjoyed a* half-day work schedule during the entire period

As Ma~*ch blended into April, the crew re-oriented themselves to being home once

more, and families became accustomed to being together again.

April 2 saw LAKE CHAMPLAIN return to full-day work4ng routine once more.

Although no one was exactly happy to be return'ing to a Tull-time schedule, all

hands had both appreciated and enjoye& their almost month-long standdown. April

2-6 brought the LAMPS Mobile Team Training Unit (LMTTU) for a Phase I Assist

Vigit in preperetian for the u p c ~ m i n g Aviabinn Assist Visit lAAV), scheduled for - - - - . -. . - - - - -. - - -

May, Even the ChamPva flight deck crew, tdmpered and trained by a g~x-month

deployment, benefitted from the training, ind all hands looked forward to the

AAV with renewed confidence.

The process of preparing for LAKE CHAWLAIN's first underway period in over

a month began April 13 with a fast cruise Was held during the afternoon hours.

To the surprise of many (and as expected by a few senior personnel), numerous '

'glitches' appeared, from manning of stations to correct operation ok equipment.

The bugs were quickly worked out, however, and the ship's 16-18 April SOCAL

. operati'ons underway period proved to be a smooth, easy time for all hands.

April 23 marked the beginning of the 3M and Supply Maintenance Assessment (SMA)

inspections. For the next four days, spot-checks of schedules and maintenance

items, testing of division chiefs and officers, and numerous audits were the

order of business. Despite the strong performance during February's 3M assist,

it was still a nerve-wracking time, right up until the moment that it was

announced that the Champ had scored an outstanding 94% for the 3M portion of the

assessment. The following day, April 26, the inspectors concluded the four-day

event by announcing that LAKE CHAMPLAIN had passed the SMA with an overall grade

of excellent (the highest grade available;). The ship's supply and 3M personnel .#

- . - - had come through for all- hands, a n d -they {were- given a great deal of much- - - - -

-- .-

deserved praise. s 4

LAKE CHAMPLAIN made the short transit to Bravo Pier, North Island NAS, on 27

April for a brief missile of,f.ioad. A cadualty to the station's crane forced a

delay, and the ship returned to Pier 8 where she hosted a tour group of Spanish

Midshipmen the following day.

The Aviation Assist Visit (AAV) was held on 9 May and, to no one's surprise, I

was upgraded to an Aviation Readiness ~ v i l u a t ~ n (ARE). This marked the third

straight AAV to ARE upgrade for the Champ, and a proud crew had all the more r I *

reason to celebrate at the Spring Fling picnic, held 12 May at Admiral Baker

Park, The ship held a five-day security standdown from 14-18 May, including

practice security alerts and mock bomb threats. In the midst of the standdown,

the Champ again made the trip to Bravo Pier, NAS North Island, this time to

complete the previously aborted off/on load. The evolution ended without a

hitch, and LAKE CHAMPLAIN departed, this time bound for the Carrier Pier at

North Island. There, as the security standdown ended, the ship made

preparations for the Armed Forces Day tours the next day. As one of the two *

visit ships for the Armed Forces Day celebration on 19 May, LAKE CHAMPLAIN

hosted over 3,200 people during the eight hours she was open for tours, a new

one-day record for the Champ and her crew. The ship returned to 32nd Street

Naval Station on 21 May, this time mooring at pier 2.

The following day, May 22, marked the beginning of LAKE CHAMPLAIN1s

Immediate Superior In Corninand (ISIC) Inspection. RADM Reason, COMCRUDESGRU ONE,

and his Chief of Staff kicked off the event with a personnel inspection, the

I uniform designated as service dress whites. The inspection went quickly and I

I

smoothly, and RADM Reason was duly impressed by. what he saw. I 1

'I can assure each and everyone of you', he said during his comments

following the personnel review and a flight deck awards ceremony, 'that LAKE

CHAMPLAIN and her crew have nothing but the best reputations on the waterfront. I , I

- - - - --- - - - You have set the standards for everyone else as the premier warship and crew

I

I

that you are. It 'has been a pleasure to serve with you befor:, during, and

after deployment.'

Over the nekt three daye,' LAKE CHAMPLAIN, her officers, and crew would

reaffirm and prove that all the praise paid them by the admiral was justified, as I

l

each department and area earned consistent top scores and grades. I

The command inspection completed, the ship departeq for Acapulco, Mexico on

25 May. Embarked on board was HSL 45, Det 8~,' LT Chip .Laingent USN, OIC. The

Charnp arrived in sunny Acapulco fivetdags later, on 30 May, and anchored in the

western side of Acapulco Bay, less than a quarter mile from the fleet landing.

The followlng day, 31 May, at one hour prior to sunset, CG 57 hosted her - . - -

first wedding ceremony as Captain Ralph K. Martin, USN, Commanding Officer, USS

LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 571, wed Ms. of , in ceremonies

conducted on the forecastle by LT , Chaplain Corps, USN. Captain

Martin and his bride stood beneath the Champ's bell, originally from the second

USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV 391, and recited their vows as the ship's officers, in

full dress whites, the crew, and thelr guests stood to watch. Following the

* pronouncement that they were husband and wlfe, the bride and groom departed from

the forecastle by way of a sword arch, LCDR giving Ms. the

traditonal welcome-to-the-Navy slap on the fanny with his sword as she passed.

Later, followlng a brief reception in the Wardroom, the bride and groom left the

ship for a dusk champagne cruise in the gig. As they passed through the

Quarterdeck, 'Captain and Mrs. LAKE CHAMPLAIN, departing,' was passed over the

1MC to mark the occasion.

June 1st marked the retirement ceremony for QMCM(SW1 William B. Herbert,

USN, LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S first Command Master Chief. LCDR read a list of his

previous duty stations spanning a 25-year career, and Capt. Martin commented on

the similarities in both his and master chief's careers. As the ceremony I

I

I proceeded, a Mexican destroyer, formerly a U.S. warship of the GEARING DD class, 1

, I saided by almost-in -tri%ute-to-a career that beg;m-6ack when she was part of- = I

I

the U.S. Fleet. Capt Martin presented Master Chief Herbert wPth the Navy I

I

Commendation Medal for this tour as CMC, and FCCS(SW1 Larry H. Taylor, his I

I

relief, presefited him with 3 shadow box containing his awards and a flag flown I l

over the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. QMCM(SW) Herbert thanked the crew for I

I

their support and -wished them luck in their future endeavors, and was then I 1

'piped over the side' by his fellow chief petty officers. i

June 2 saw the sunny weather in Acapulco m r n overcast as the winds and seas

grew more forceful. By mid-afternoon,, ~ a i n squalls had begun and the

Quartermaster of the Watch reported that the ship appeared to be dragging

anchor. As the ship began to slide toward the shoals adjacent to the cruise ship -- - .. - --

pier, the Command Duty Officer (CDO), LT , USN, made the decision to

weigh anchor, get underway, and find a suitable new anchorage in deeper, safer

waters. Fifteen minutes later, in what Captain Martin would later call one of

the proudest moments of his naval career, the CDO and the duty section safely

and quickly re-anchored LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

The ship departed Acapulco the following morning, bound for SOCAL operating

+ areas and the 'HUBCAP' exercises. The exercises were to include numerous air

attack vulnerability windows, but the Champ would only experience one of them as

she w.as tasked, on the evening of 6 June, to return south to the tip of Baja and

conduct Law Enforcement Operations (L.E. OPS). A small merchant freighter was

reportedly going to transit up the coast carrying over a ton of cocaine. The

Champ was to be one of several Navy ships and aircraft combing the area

The following morning, a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (L.E.

DETI was transferred aboard from USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 421, LT Joe Billy, USCG, .-

OIC. For the next week LAKE CHAMPLAIN, as part of Joint Task Force 35, would

ply the waters off Baja, looking for possible .drug runners. Although she made

numerous sightlngs of suspicious craft, the Champ's efforts yielded negative

results, and a grateful crew was detached to return to SOCAL OPS on 13 June. M

- - The -f dll6w;ng d a y , upon arr lval In t h e S ~ A L <FAREAS, LAKE CRAWLAIN w&ft

to flight for a special visitor. CAPT E. K. Kristenden, USN, was

coming to pay his 'first official visit as Prospective Commanding Officer of CG

5 7 . He would 'stjend that day And the next getting to know a little bit more

about the ship, her characteristics, and the men who served aboard her. From an

UNREP with USNS KAWISHIWI (T-AG-146) on the evening of the 14th, to the sea and.

anchor detail to re-enter San Diego bay on the 15th, CAPT Kristensen was given I

a thorough demonstration of the Champ's ~apab~lities in-a normal underway

environment. The turnover had begun.. , c

June 20 brought with it an evening on the harbor at Mission bay, on board

the Eahia Eells, It wa.g a chance for all hand$ to gather one laat time with . . - .- - -

GAPT Martin and for a purely gocia1 vi8it, aharing the good feod and the

companionship to be had as the Eahia Belle steamed about Mission Bay,

June 23 marked the closing of a major chapter in the history of USS LAKE

CHMPLAIN (CG 57) at CAPT Edward K. Kristensen, USN, relieved CAPT Ralph K.

Martin, USN, as Commanding Officer, in ceremonies held on the flight deck. The

ceremonies were officiated by RADM Reason, COMCRUDESGRU ONE, with COMNAVSURFPAC,

VADM R. K. U. Kihune, in attendance. RADM Reason listed CAPT arti in is array of

impressive achievements, both prior to and after coming to LAKE CHAMPLAIN, and

concluded his remarks by awarding CAPT Martin his third Legion of Merit.

CAPT Martin stood and recounted his expertences and pride in commissioning

the Navy's eleventh AEGIS Cruiser. He spoke of the surge deployment from the

east to west coast, the Champ's first WESTPAC, and the recent experiences in

Acapulco and with L.E. OPS. He concluded by addressing the crew, thanking them

and stating, 'I am proud of each and every one of you, and it has been one of

the greatest pleasures of my career to serve with you.'

CAPT Kristensen, in his remarks, compared himself to the kid who comes on

the playing field after the pros have come and gone, noting that the high

standards set by CAPT Martin and LAKE CHAMPLAIN made for a tough act to follow. I

I t-would-be--h$s- job, he sai-d, to maintxi-n those high standards- and keep LAKE- -

CHAMPLAIN in the forefront of superior performance. 4

The moment finally came when CAPT Kristensen stood and formally relieved

CAPT Martin aS Commanding Of,f.icer. The Command Senior Chief, FCCS(SS) Taylor,

presented CAPT Martin with the ship's commissioning pennant, and the LAKE

CHlllMPLAIN choir sang the Navy hymn. The benediction was pronounced and the

ceremony ended. A short time later, CAPT Martin and his wife, , departed i

the Champ for the last time, both announced as 'Plankoqer, departing'. The

change of command was complete. I . *

Although LAKE CHAMPLAIN had a new C.O., time refused to stand still. June

25 saw the Champ going once more to Bravo Pier, NAS North Island, this time to - -

on-load the Stand-Off Land Attack Missile (SLAM). She would be underway for the

Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) range that same day.

On June 26, LAKE CHAMPLAIN became the fist U.S. Warship to fire SLAM, her

target the EX-USS TOLMAN (DMS 28). The missile was smoothly launched from CG

57's HARPOON launcher. LAKE CHAMPLAIN returned to San Diego on June 27, and a

busy month at last came to an end.

Though she had just returned from a six month deployment, July found LAKE

CHAMPLAIN in the midst of an inspection cycle to prepare her for her next

deployment, still 16 months distant. On 9 July, both the

) and Navy Food Management Assist Teams kicked off their inspections.

Preparations for those inspections included daily drills and were made more

difficult due to a high rate of personnel rotatiqn. The intensive preparations

paid off as grades of 'Excellent' were awarded Gy both asgists teams.

On 19 July, Captain Kristensen gave the order to take in all lines and the ' -

ship was underway enroute Port Hueneme, CA to participate in Port Hueneme's

annual Sea Fair. The morning of 20 July was sunny and warm as the ship quietly

slid into Port Hueneme's small harbor. The silence was broken-by a helicopter

which had come to cover LAKE CHAMPLAIN's arrival for the local news. All hands I

-- - - - - - -

tops-ide also noticed a small crowd of onlookers and local -dignitaries on the

pier. Each man m;ved with noticeable pride due to the unexpedted attention as

the ship moored at berth 4, starboard side to. During the Sea Fair Festivities,

21-22 July, L A K ~ CHAMPLAIN's auty sections guided approximately 2400 people

around the weather decks, through the pilot house, Combat Information Center, and

helo hangar. On 22 July, Captain Kristensen hosted a reception in the ship's ,

helo hangar for CBC Port Hueneme officers and VIPs. Port Hueneme was i

designated a liberty port. Those crewmembers 'who were not taking advantage of

discount tickets to Magic Mountain Amusement Park spent time with family or

friends who drove the relatively short distance from San Diego.

LAKE CHAWLAIN got underway on 23 July from Fort Hueneme far a week ~f 'All

Comers A t Sea Training' CACATi in the SOCAL OPAREAS. RADM G. Straussel,

COMPACMISTESTCEN, embarked via helo to observe the successful MISSILEX with

USS LE:AHY (CG 161 on 26 July 1990.

As the week continued, LAKE CHAMPLAIN participated in ACAT ASW exercises,

which included one over the side torpedo shot and a successful torpedo drop from

Lonewolf 40, under LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S control.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN had been selected to be CINCPACFLT's Flagship for the first

Soviet Warship visit to San Diego, CA on 31 July 1990. Maintaining her

reputation as the cleanest ship on the waterfront, all hands came topside and

conducted a thorough fresh water washdown as the ship returned to San Diego

following a successful ACAT week. CG 57 moored port side to Pier Juliett, NAS

North Island on the afternoon of 27 July 1990 and continued preparations for

CINCPACFLT Flagship duties. At approximately 0815 on-31 July 1990, LAKE

CHAWLAIN embarked ADM Larson, CINCPACFLT and RADM Reason, COMCRUDESGRU 1 for

the Soviet ship visit arrival ceremonies. The.entire crew manned the rails in

their dress whites on a warm, sunny, S~uthern~California morning. Ship's

company was called to attention-as the first of three Soviet combatants came

into v i e w ~ f f Shelter Island and the first shot of the 17 gun Soviet salute was - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - .- . - - . -- . -

hearsd. Upon completion of the Soviet Salute, all hands were called to hand- . . -

s 4

salute and the ship's starboard side saluting battery initiated what was to be a

perfectly executed 17 gun response. At approximately 0842 ADM Larson and RADM

Reason departed: LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S immaculate appearance and flawless

performance of the gun salute prompted COMNAVSURFPAC to state that 'LAKE

CHA.MPLAIN can be justifiably proud of the professional impression left with the.

Soviets'. At approximately 1330 the Executive Officer istationed the Special and

Anchor Detail and LAKE CHAMPLAIN was underway Bt 1400 ehroute Pier 8, 32nd St.

Naval Station,' where she moored at 1500: 31 July 1990. From 1 - 3 August LAKE

CHI~MPLAIN completed her 9024 inspection with a score of outstanding

August 6 saw CG 57 getting underway from Pier 8, 32nd St. Naval Station San - -

Diego, CA enroute Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. During the transit LAKE

CHAMPLAIN conducted NGFS FIREX I1 on the gunnery range, San Clemente. The

gunnery team performed flawlessly and scored 103%. On 7 August, CG 57 arrived

at the Weapons Station, where weapons were off-loaded in preparation for the

upcoming Pierside Restricted Availability.

On 8 August, LAKE CHAMPLAIN got underway from Seal Beach Naval Weapons *

Station enroute Pier 30, San Francisco, CA. While underway bound for San

Francisco the ship conducted its first Burial at Sea Ceremony. The service,

complete with a 21 gun salute, supplied by the LAKE CHAMPLAIN Honor Guard, and

remarks from CAPT Kristensen, was held on the fantail. All hands maintained

silence as five cremains were scattered in the Pacific during the videotaped

service. The calm waters and cool, cloudy skies seemed fitting for the

occasion.

The morning of 10 August CG 57 steamed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge for --

-the first time and moored at Pier 30, San Francisco, CA for the week of AEGIS

Team Training, and outstanding liberty for which San Francisco is famous. With .

the team training complete on 17 August, LAKE CHAMPLAIN took in all lines and

got underway, bound once more for Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. I

- - - -

August 20 L ~ E CHAMPLAIN &rived at Seal each Naval weapohs Station an-d ?..A-

- c % ..- continued to off-lsoad ordnance. With the off-load complete oi 21 August, CG 57

was underway for an Diego. The ship's second burial at sea ceremony was .y ,r

4 , ' A

performed on this tran3it. Qne cremain was $catatered. The ship moored to Pier

8, 32nd St. Naval Station San Diego, CA on 21 August 1990. On 25 August, the

ship hosted the Yokosuka Chamber of Commerce Tour. 15 members toured LAKE

CHAMPLAIN'S decks. i

NTPI was held in port San Diego from the f7th through the 29th of August.

The ship's satisfactory score marked, months of preparation which crossed all

department boundaries.

-- - - - -. - - . At 1330, 4 September 1990, the Executlvs Officer Stationed the Special Sea

and Anchor detail and the ship got underway for the F-14D 'Super Tomcat'

evaluation. The CNO tasked LAKE CHAMPLAIN with evaluating the Super Tomcat at

sea, in battle group conditions. On 5 September, LAKE CHAMPLAIN embarked RADM

Webzter, COMOPTEVFOR, via helo for the event. The Admiral departed via helo on

5 September and LAKE CHAMPLAIN returned to Pier 8, 32nd St., Naval Station on 7

September. i

Frbom 7 - 16 September, the ship made final preparations to enter the

shipya~rd for her Pierside Restricted Availability. On 17 September all lines

were cast off at 0745 for a deadstick move to Southwest Marine Shipyard. - -

Southwest Marine Shipyard would be LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S home for the next 6 weeks.

Though the ship was in the yards, training continued. LAKE CHAMPLAIN1s

outstanding ASW Team completed ASW Phase I team training on 13 September and

Phase I1 team training on 21 September. . -

During this shipyard availability the ship received the latest modifications *. --

and i~nprovements applica'b'le to almost every system on board. The PRC Tiger Team

stripped and resurfaced nearly every deck on board. First Division organized a

'spray team' which repainted 47 spaces. The ship received the CG 47 class frame

138 hull modification which affected all spaces at frame 138, including 2 major - -- - - . - --- - - - - - - - -- -

- - - .

berthing compartments. As a result of the disruption to the - ~*- r- 4

berthing, nearly 1/3 of the crew berthed at the Naval Station Barracks during

the availability. .*a- v

The ship's messdecks we<e shut down for refurbishment. As a result the

whole crew messed at the Naval Station Galley with the help of shuttle buses.

When the repairs were complete and the crew had moved back on board, LAKE

CHAMPLAIN got underway for sea trials. On 7 No~ember~iexercises included a full (

power run and night time unrep, the ship's first in sik weeks.

November 8 the ship returned to Pie> 8. LAKE..CHAMPLAIN had been selected to

be COMCRUDESGRU ONE'S Flagship 'during his Change of Command scheduled for 2 1

November. In preparation for this important event, all topside spaces were ----- ..- -.- - - -

given a new coat of haze gray for the occasion.

On 13 November, LAKE CHAMPLAIN got underway from Pier 8 for a deadstick move

to Pier 2, a berth selected by the Admiral for his Change of Command. While the

rest of the ship was preparing for the Change of Command, LAKE CHAMPLAIN

Engineers completed MTT Phase I, an administrative look at the Engineering

Department.

4 November 21 was a beautiful day. The ship looked magnificent. It seemed

that the officers and crew escorted every Admiral in the Pacific Fleet,on board.

RADM Phillip R. Olson relieved RADM J. Paul Reason as Commander, Cruiser-

Destroyer Group ONE. RADM Olson went on to assume duties as COMNAVSURFLANT.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN was now an imminent deployer. What lay ahead was a long

series of training and inspections before the next deployment. it was at this

time that Operation DESERT SHIELD was heating up and the crew became excited as

rumors of an early deployment circulated. . ---

On 27 November LCDR stationed the Special Sea and Anchor Detail. LAKE

CHAMPLAIN was underway for a short jaunt to S.eal Beach Naval Weapons Station.

The ship arrived early morning on the. 28th , all weapons were loaded by early

morning on the 29th, at which time LAKE CHAMPLAIN was underway enroute San Diego I

. . - - - - - - -- . - . -

where sh-e-arrived-and moored af-n-er 8 - in the early evening. rn +%,.LA.-

The ship's sch'edu1e"remained busy. On 3 December the ship got underway fron;

Pier 8 for the SOCAL OPAREAS in order to take part in another 'All Comers At . i %?

Sea' training '('AcAT) . ACAT ,exercises were found to be excel lent training

grounds for upcoming inspections and assist visits,

On 4 December the ship conducted NGFS FIREX I1 off San Clemente Island. The

6th of December the ship participated in the ACAT MISSILEX in the morning and I

launched an SM2 from the aft launcher. Afterrrendezvous,with the USNS NAVASOTA,

the ship conducted night refueling. ,Thp 7th of December found LAKE CHAMPLAIN

conducting a torpedo exercise in the morning and mooring at Pier 8, 32nd St.

Naval Etation in the evening. - - - -- _ _ -

On the l @ t h af Deremb~r, LAKE CHAMFLAfN wag underway again, this time f u r

MTT FhxSe 11: Fram the 11th thrnugh 13th the ghip participated in ASW exercises

with the USS PASADENA. December 14 the ship moored Pier 8, 32nd St. Naval

Station.

On 19 December at 1600, LAKE CHAMPLAIN got underway from Pier 8, 32nd St.

Naval Station and headed toward Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station in order to

* finish her weapons onload. Having completed the onload on the morning of the

21st, the ship was underway from Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station at 0800 and

moored Pier 8, 32nd St. Naval Station San Diego, CA at 1200.

The ship remained at Pier 8 through the holiday leave period. She began

1990 in Pattaya Beach, Thailand and finished 1990 moored at Pier 8, 32nd St.

Naval Station San Diego, CA.