A Date with Destiny – Part I

They had returned from their maiden cruise on the 22nd of March, 1998. The first operational deployment now in the past, but they had done the mission the class had been built for: Convoy escort.

Home and enjoying some leave after the 6 months in the Persian Gulf, the tasker arrived in mid April, ordering them to sea on the 31st day after they had returned. The 30 day post-deployment leave and stand down, while by the numbers looked good, was not that, as gearing up to head to sea for fleet operations is not a small undertaking, and not easily handled by half the crew. Some ship, that had been stateside was unable to meet her commitment and this ship was to stand in as the escort for the USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV-67) as she conducted anti-submarine training off the East Coast.

More to follow, as a tale is to be told of three naval combatants, and the intersection of their crews, is a story sparsely told. I will provide what I can to fill out the details of what happened.

Return often for the next few days, as the posts will provide the background to the setting.

Part II

Tracked back @: Yankee Sailor

Posted by xformed on April 19, 2007.

Categories: History, Military, Military History, Navy

2 Responses

1. […] The post deployment “stand down” was truncated because the ship with the commitment coul… […]

   by A Date with Destiny - Part II - - It’s not random, it’s CHAOS! on Apr 20, 2007 at 12:05 am

2. This brought back memories. My first time away from my family. My family gave so much of their life to the Navy as I, because they to should be rewarded by this country for the service I gave to this great nation. Thank to my loved ones, God bless you all.

   by Joseph Smirniotis on Oct 6, 2015 at 12:56 pm

About Chaotic Synaptic Activity

I’ve traveled extensively, both as a child and in my professional career. I have a global view of the world and the situations we currently face as a nation. Between some practical experiences, lots of reading and some time sitting in classrooms/lecture halls, I have opinions that I will share here.more →