29 December 1979

1. As required by reference (a), the following report of significant events for USS ELLIOT (DD 967) during 1978 is submitted.

2. The year 1978 was a year of development for ELLIOT. This year she took part in many exercises and was required to test, evaluate and master all of her systems and equipment. It was also a time for the crew to prove its training and to put into practice those skills acuqired during Precommissioning.

3. Significant events during the period January - December 1978, are as follows:

a. From January through April the ship remained in Long Beach Naval Shipyard for an extensive Restriced Availability (RAV) as ELLIOT commenced her second year of service life. While there, the last of her current weapons and electronic systems were received. The RAV included the installation of the following: SEA SPARROW Missile System, HARPOON Missile System, Electronics Warfare Suite, Satellite Communications System, and various modifications to the flight deck.

b. USS ELLIOT (DD 967) was underway from the Long Beach Naval Shipyard on 14 April 1978 for sea trials. Upon successful completion of the sea trials and acceptance by the Commanding Officer, ELLIOT moved to Seal Beach, California for her ammunition load-out, arriving there on 18 April 1978. The RAV brought ELLIOT to final ocmpletion with the installation and updating of her present weapons and electronics systems. After receiving her ammunition load-out, ELLIOT departed for her homeport of San Diego arriving at Pier SEVEN, Naval Station on 19 April 1979.

c. From 15 through 17 May, ELLIOT tested her 5"/54 Mark 45 lightweight guns and MK 86 fire control systems during naval gunfire supprt exercises off San Clemente Island, California. Verious other gunnery exercises were completed as required for the ship's qualification trials. ELLIOT successfully completed all exercises.

d. From 18 through 24 May 1978, ELLIOT was again underway, this time for the testing of the NATO SEA SPARROW Missile System. Two telemetry configured missiles were fired at two MQM-74 drones. The first non-warhead shot passed less than two feet from its target drone. Both missile firings were considered to be direct hits.

e. After the testing of the SEA SPARROW System, ELLIOT made a port visit to San Francisco 20-21 May 1978. The ship moored at Pier 45 Embarcadero. USS ELLIOT was open for visiting to the general public and had over 2000 visitors during her stay.

f. ELLIOT returned to homeport San Diego, and from 5 through 9 June 1978 underwent HARPOON certification and the successful firing of a HARPOON blast test vehicle. Also during June, the COMNAVSURFPAC Propulsion Mobile Training Team (MTT) visited ELLIOT to aid in the preparation for an Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE). The OPPE was divided into three phases of inport training and underway exercises. The ship's Engineering Department administrative procedures and supporting directives were examined for organization, promulgation and compliance with Type and Fleet Commanders' directives. The programs examined included Plan of Action and Milestones, Command Safety Program, Electrical Safety Program, Tag Out Procedures, Ship's Force Work List Management, Repair FIVE Organization, Propulsion Space Fire Doctrine, Auxiliary Boiler Water/Feedwater Test and Treatment, Fuel Oil Quality Management, Lube Oil Quality Management, Engineering Logs and Records, and Watch Organization. All programs were evaluated as effective, and ELLIOT received an overall grade of satisfactory with above average marks in comparison with other ships recently examined.

g. On 29 and 30 July ELLIOT served as visit ship at Broadway Pier in San Diego and was visited by approximately 1500 people. While moored there on 29 July, ELLIOT served as the platform for the OCMELEVEN Change of Command when RADM LANGILLE relieved RADM ROGERS.

h. In July and August prior to the commencement of Refresher Training, ELLIOT successfully completed the Training and Readiness Evaluation (TRE), Sonar Accuracy Checks (SACS), and Deperming.

i. On 1 August 1978 ELLIOT shifted from the operational command of Destroyer Squadron NINE to Destroyer Squadron THIRTY ONE with Commodore Jonathan T. HOWE in command.

j. ELLIOT commenced Refresher Training (REFTRA) on 7 August 1978 and in conjuction with REFTRA, departed San Diego for Pearl Harbor on 11 August 1978. ELLIOT held open house to the general public while in Pearl Harbor and was visited by many military personnel anxious to see a SPRUANCE Class Destroyer. ELLIOT conducted exercises in the Hawaiin operating areas with Pearl Harbor REFTRA observers embarked, completing her mid-term battle problem at that time. On the return trip to San Diego 25 August to 1 September 1978, ELLIOT successfully completed a final battle problem and concluded REFTRA. Some of the exercises and drills completed during REFTRA were vertical replenishment, underway replenishment, Z-10-AA Anti-Air and Z-23-G Surface Gunnery Exercises, Radar Tracking Drills, numerous electronic warfare drills and a TOWEX in which ELLIOT towed and was taken in tow by USS JOHN YOUNG (DD 973).

k. ELLIOT returned to San Diego on 10 September and was visited by Commander Naval Surface Forces, Pacific Fleet, Vice Admiral ST. GEORGE.

l. In mid-October 1978 helicopter qualifications took place on ELLIOT. Upon completion of these qualifications, ELLIOT was qualified for operations with SH-2 and SH-3 helicopters, a major enhancement to the ELLIOT's ASW role and capability.

m. From 23 October 1978 through 27 October 1978, ELLIOT was underway in the Southern California operating areas for COMPTUEX 1-79, operating with other units of the Pacific Fleet. ELLIOT embarked HSL-33 LAMPS Helicopter Detachment ONE for this exercise and trained extensively with this unit which would be embarked during the ship's maiden deployment in February 1979. ELLIOT successfully fired several exercise torpedoes during COMPTUEX 1-79. At the completion of the COMPTUEX, ELLIOT returned to San Diego and again served as the platform for a Change of Command. CAPT John POINDEXTER raised his pennant as Commander Destroyer Squadron THIRTY ONE on 1 November 1978.

n. From November 2nd through the 9th, ELLIOT participated in READIEX 79 with other units of the Pacific Fleet. This provided at sea training in all areas of naval warfare. Areas of particular emphasis were ASW, AAW, NTDS Data operations, LINK communications, and coordination with other units. Significant improvement in all areas was noted. It was during this exercise on 8 November that ELLIOT was visited by member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hon. William D. PRICE and Hon. Leroy J. SPENCE.

o. Following READIEX, ELLIOT proceeded north for another visit to San Francisco. ELLIOT was berthed at Alameda and although some distance from significant tourist attractions, a good time was enjoyed by all.

p. Combat Systems Readiness Tests were conducted from the 15th to the 21st of November. This served to evaluate the ship's radars, sensors, computers, and peripheral and auxiliary electronic equipment and support systems. All of ELLIOT's equipment and systems passed as fully operational. From November 24th through the 28th, ELLIOT successfully completed testing and alignment at the FORACS range off San Clemente Island.

q. ELLIOT spent 4-15 December participating in FLEETEX 1-79, operating with other units of the THIRD Fleet. The units were divided into Blue and Orange forces which opposed each other in an attempt to simulate a combat environment. On 15 December during the FLEETEX, ELLIOT was visited by COMTHIRDFLT, VADM MCKEE, coincident with the firing of a warhead NSSMS shot. The shot was unsuccessful due to fracturing of the radome upon ignition and the resultant erratic flight.

r. Upon return to port, ELLIOT had her underwater hull cleaned and closed out the year by successfully completing her command inspection on 22 December. This was followed by a holiday standdown and upkeep period. This would be ELLIOT's final training and upkeep period before her maiden deployment on 21 February 1979.

S. S. CLAREY