A second deployment and the "mod" squad

"Toby" Field's change of command with David Foss was somewhat accelerated. The normal procedure is for the new Commanding Officer (CO) to come aboard a number of weeks before the scheduled change of command date for introductions and acclamation. While in port, the crew is gathered, family and guests invited, the band plays, and in a formal ceremony the command is transferred. Toby arrived in Guantanamo Bay and the next day the ship departed for a training exercise. Halfway through the day, the change of command took place underway on the ship's bridge witnessed by the crew over the "1 MC" (the central speaker system). David Foss departed for his next assignment that evening.

In the latter part of 1972, the USS Connole had a normal work-up period for deployment and departed from Norfolk for six months with a carrier group bound for the Mediterranean. The ship performed well with its first generation bow sonar (SQS-26). However, the ship's capabilities were limited at this time: one five inch gun for surface and air protection, and ASW rockets and torpedoes for sub hunting.

The ship participated in numerous exercises with both US and NATO country fleets. Having completed a joint exercise involving a Greek frigate and a Turkish submarine off Crete, the USS Connole planned a week's stay in Athens, Greece. Upon arrival, Toby reported to the a senior Greek Admiral as part of normal protocol. Later in the day, he received a call from that Admiral who said, "Take your ship and go somewhere." Toby questioned the order and only got a repeat of "Go somewhere." So, the USS Connole departed immediately and went to Corfu. The next day, it was learned that the Greek Navy tried to replace the government and return the former king to control. The effort failed and the Greek admiral ended up in jail.

Toby and officer staff were part of the "Mod Squad." This was the name given to the controversial program implemented by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt. Officers on board ships in certain squadrons were one rank lower than normal so as to give young "hot" officers the opportunity for early advancement. This was a "youth" movement and thus the name "Mod Squad" (the old TV program). Toby was a Lieutenant Commander filling the commanding officer position (billet) which was normally a Commander's rank position. Similarly, his Executive Officer was a lieutenant and the department heads' rank was Lieutenant Junior Grade.

A usual practice within a Navy squadron was for the most junior ranking commanding officer to get all the tough jobs and the least favorable position when doing anything. Being a "Mod Squad" officer definitely guaranteed Toby the most junior position. The fleet would come into a port and Toby would find the USS Connole with the poorest mooring position and last on the food delivery circuit.

As the junior ship, the USS Connole also received more than its fair share of special tasks. For example, the US fleet Admiral gave the USS Connole a high risk assignment: make a passage inside the 7 mile water limit of Libya to test the Libyan government's response. Toby felt somewhat vulnerable since his main anti-aircraft defense was only the 5 inch forward gun. Toby found that the crew's response to his call to "battle stations" was answered in half the normal time! Libyan jets "scrambled" and there were some tense moments. However, no shooting occurred, the ship headed back to safer waters and the crew slept well that night.

At the end of Toby's tenure as Commanding Officer, the ship entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul that would last six months. During this yard period, the Variable Depth Sonar and the Basic Point Defense Missile System were installed.