|
Setting the stage for becoming the premier ASW ship in the Navy
John Dalrymple relieved Toby Field when the ship was undergoing a major overhaul in
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The ship came out of the yard and entered into the beginning of the
cycle for a deployment. It was determined that her propeller had not been properly installed and
the ship was scheduled for a trip to the dry-dock in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. This was a real
low point for the ship in its history. However, this trip to the yard became the opportunity
that would later evolve in the making of a real success story.
The staff of the Atlantic Destroyer Command, based in Norfolk, was seeking to test and
implement three new ASW systems and there was a need for a frigate that would become the test
platform. The USS Connole was in the right place at the right time. She was capable, available,
and right there in Norfolk in drydock. After three months of tremendous effort, the ship emerged
from the drydock with the three new systems installed:
- A new Sonar Dome Rubber Faced
- The new Tactical Towed Array Sonar (TACTAS) which would be streamed from
the ship's new Variable Depth Sonar (VDS)
- The LAMPS III prototype system for use with the ship's helicopter
(two vans containing the computers were strapped to the deck)
The Connole spent the next eight months in extensive testing of the systems working in
conjunction with other surface ships and a group of American submarines. Two helicopters were
made available with one operating from the Connole for a particular exercise at any given time.
When near land, the helicopters would swap from a nearby airport. When at sea, the two
helicopters would alternate between the Connole and a support ship. The helicopters had onboard
sensors and sonobuoys, that would be dropped into the water, to locate submarines in
coordination with its mother ship.
The results of these tests were a major success for the USS Connole and helicopter detachment
crews, the manufacturers of the new equipment, the staff of the Cruiser/Destroyer Atlantic Fleet
(CRUDESLANT and the entire Navy surface ASW community. The technology was created, the
Navy staff planned and funded the operation, and the Connole team made it happen. Over the last
fifteen years, these ASW systems, in some form, were installed in about 30 Knox class frigates.
The TACTAS sonar, with upgrades, has been installed in at least 150 other Navy vessels.
After the ASW testing period, the USS Connole became a key member of the newly formed ASW
Squadron of frigates. Over the next six months, there were a number of fleet exercises performed
on a joint basis with carrier groups and submarines. The USS Connole then started the
preparation cycle for a deployment and departed for the Mediterranean in April 1976. John
Darylmple was relieved one month later.
As John Dalrymple reflected on his tenure, he observed that the work performed in the Norfolk
Dry-dock included not only the addition of the three new ASW systems, but also remedied a host
of other problems that the ship was experiencing. The work funded for the Philadelphia Shipyard
period simply did not go far enough. The Norfolk yard work was much needed and raised the
ship's capability and readiness to a higher level. Thus, the selection of the USS Connole as the
lead ASW platform not only escalated her to "star" status in the short term, but the investment in
her basic operating equipment had the long term benefit of making her reliable a ship for many
years into the future.
|
