Mullinnix Participates in ASW Training Cruises - 50 Years Ago Today
Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood)
The balance of June and July were set aside for coordinated antisubmarine (ASW) training cruises intended to toughen up the ship’s offensive/defensive capabilities in order to effectively deal with the ever-present submarine threat. The first of these cruises, accordance with COMDESRON 32 MSG 191432Z, commenced on 23 June in the company of USS Strong DD-758 and USS Sailfish SS-572. To confirm her youth, Mullinnix conducted a full power run and at 1853 reached a speed of 35 knots.
The second, took to sea on 6 July in the company of Task Unit 24.4.5 composed of units of DESRON 32, DESRON 4, and DESDIV 262 plus USS Northampton CLC-1, USS Nantahala AO-60, and USS Boston CAG-1 to continue ASW simulations. The shear size of these exercises illustrated their importance. On 9 July the following ships participated in a ASW circular screen formation: USS Northampton CLC-1, USS N. K. Perry DDR-883, USS Boston CAG-1, USS Douglas H. Fox DD-779, USS Stormes DD-780, USS Strong DD-758, sister ship USS Manley DD-940, USS Greene DDR-711, USS McCard DD-882, USS Dyess DD-880, USS Gearing DD-710, USS Bordelon DDR-881, USS Gyatt DDG-1, USS Johnston DD-821, USS Vogelsang DD-862, USS Cecil DDR-835, USS Corry DDR-817, USS O’Hare DD-889, and USS Stickell DDR-888. Many of these ships were testing the Navy’s newest anti-submarine warfare equipment.
She returned to Norfolk on 10 July only to return to Virginia Operating Area as a unit of Task Unit 201.4.1 on the morning of 13 July. Mullinnix was part of a fourteen ship contingent preparing for anti-submarine warfare in accordance with Commander Carrier Striking Force (COMCARSTIK Force) Operation Order (OPORDER) 52-59. They participated in NATO exercise RIPTIDE under the command of RADM G. W. Anderson, Jr. USN.
Shortly after midnight, in the early morning hours of 15 July, she made rendezvous with USS Saratoga CVA-60, USS Fiske DDR-842, sister ship USS Decatur DD-936, USS Benham DD-796, and USS Hawkins DDR-873. ASW exercises continued throughout the day. At 1245 on 16 July, Mullinnix acquired a sonar contact bearing 330T, range 3600 yards. After stationing the ASW Attack Team, Mullinnix and USS Johnston commenced a dual ship attack on the target at 18 knots. Two S2F aircraft and four ASW helicopters joined in to assist in the operations. The sub was successfully surfaced and was subsequently identified as USS Trumpetfish SS-425.
After receiving 41,236 gallons of fuel from USS Canisteo AO-99, Mullinnix and the others ships continued sharpening their ASW skills. Simulating numerous situations and conditions such as darkened ship, testing of chemical and collision alarms, after steering control tests, pursuing radar and sonar contacts, steering sinuous courses, and highline transfers.
In another test of her newest and ruggedness, Mullinnix conducted a 35 knot full power speed run on Sunday afternoon, 19 July. At 1818 she performed a crash back full maneuver followed by, at 1821, a crash ahead to flank speed exercise to 34 knots. While maintaining 34 knots, she commenced high speed turns using a 37-degree rudder.
The following day Mullinnix assisted USS Keppler DDE-765 on a dual ship attack, expending seventeen rounds of plaster-loaded hedgehogs. Shortly there after the submarine placed herself out of action and requested permission to surface. Mullinnix was then joined by HMS Scarborough F-63 and HMS Tenby F-65, both Whitby Class Type 12 frigates. The three ships continued ASW attack runs on suspected targets for the remainder of the afternoon. The exercises completed, she returned to D&S Piers and moored port side to USS Shenandoah AD-26, Pier 21 on the morning of 21 July.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
The balance of June and July were set aside for coordinated antisubmarine (ASW) training cruises intended to toughen up the ship’s offensive/defensive capabilities in order to effectively deal with the ever-present submarine threat. The first of these cruises, accordance with COMDESRON 32 MSG 191432Z, commenced on 23 June in the company of USS Strong DD-758 and USS Sailfish SS-572. To confirm her youth, Mullinnix conducted a full power run and at 1853 reached a speed of 35 knots.
The second, took to sea on 6 July in the company of Task Unit 24.4.5 composed of units of DESRON 32, DESRON 4, and DESDIV 262 plus USS Northampton CLC-1, USS Nantahala AO-60, and USS Boston CAG-1 to continue ASW simulations. The shear size of these exercises illustrated their importance. On 9 July the following ships participated in a ASW circular screen formation: USS Northampton CLC-1, USS N. K. Perry DDR-883, USS Boston CAG-1, USS Douglas H. Fox DD-779, USS Stormes DD-780, USS Strong DD-758, sister ship USS Manley DD-940, USS Greene DDR-711, USS McCard DD-882, USS Dyess DD-880, USS Gearing DD-710, USS Bordelon DDR-881, USS Gyatt DDG-1, USS Johnston DD-821, USS Vogelsang DD-862, USS Cecil DDR-835, USS Corry DDR-817, USS O’Hare DD-889, and USS Stickell DDR-888. Many of these ships were testing the Navy’s newest anti-submarine warfare equipment.
She returned to Norfolk on 10 July only to return to Virginia Operating Area as a unit of Task Unit 201.4.1 on the morning of 13 July. Mullinnix was part of a fourteen ship contingent preparing for anti-submarine warfare in accordance with Commander Carrier Striking Force (COMCARSTIK Force) Operation Order (OPORDER) 52-59. They participated in NATO exercise RIPTIDE under the command of RADM G. W. Anderson, Jr. USN.
Shortly after midnight, in the early morning hours of 15 July, she made rendezvous with USS Saratoga CVA-60, USS Fiske DDR-842, sister ship USS Decatur DD-936, USS Benham DD-796, and USS Hawkins DDR-873. ASW exercises continued throughout the day. At 1245 on 16 July, Mullinnix acquired a sonar contact bearing 330T, range 3600 yards. After stationing the ASW Attack Team, Mullinnix and USS Johnston commenced a dual ship attack on the target at 18 knots. Two S2F aircraft and four ASW helicopters joined in to assist in the operations. The sub was successfully surfaced and was subsequently identified as USS Trumpetfish SS-425.
After receiving 41,236 gallons of fuel from USS Canisteo AO-99, Mullinnix and the others ships continued sharpening their ASW skills. Simulating numerous situations and conditions such as darkened ship, testing of chemical and collision alarms, after steering control tests, pursuing radar and sonar contacts, steering sinuous courses, and highline transfers.
In another test of her newest and ruggedness, Mullinnix conducted a 35 knot full power speed run on Sunday afternoon, 19 July. At 1818 she performed a crash back full maneuver followed by, at 1821, a crash ahead to flank speed exercise to 34 knots. While maintaining 34 knots, she commenced high speed turns using a 37-degree rudder.
The following day Mullinnix assisted USS Keppler DDE-765 on a dual ship attack, expending seventeen rounds of plaster-loaded hedgehogs. Shortly there after the submarine placed herself out of action and requested permission to surface. Mullinnix was then joined by HMS Scarborough F-63 and HMS Tenby F-65, both Whitby Class Type 12 frigates. The three ships continued ASW attack runs on suspected targets for the remainder of the afternoon. The exercises completed, she returned to D&S Piers and moored port side to USS Shenandoah AD-26, Pier 21 on the morning of 21 July.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
posted by Frank A. Wood at 21:32
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