USCGC Chase (WHEC-718) - Vietnam and The 1970s

Vietnam and The 1970s

After being commissioned in 1968, Chase participated in Operation Market Time. From December 1969 to May 1970, under Commander, Task Force 115, Chase participated in more than twelve gunfire support missions in the Vietnam War. For her service, Chase was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and Vietnam Service Medal. Chase visited the ports of Subic Bay, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Kao-Hsiung (Taiwan) on this patrol. In June 1970, Chase returned to her homeport in Boston, Massachusetts transiting the Panama Canal.

Between September 1970 and December 1972, Chase assumed Ocean Station duties at various times on the Charlie, Delta and Echo stations. During this period Chase visited ports such as Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba and Kingston, Jamaica. In 1972 Chase transited the Arctic Circle, and visited England, Denmark, Norway, and Portugal.

In 1973, as part of a Destroyer-Cruiser Flotilla, Chase participated in Operation Seaconex (COMCRUDESFLOT TWO). On this operation, Chase transited the Straits of Gibraltar, and visited Portugal and Morocco. Between the years of 1970 and 1974, Chase conducted three or four Search and Rescue cases daily while on various Ocean Station duties.

Between the years of 1974 to 1978, Chase continued to patrol the waters of the Atlantic. Chase visited Italy, Spain, Ireland, and France. In 1980, Chase was back in the U.S., on scene at the America’s Cup in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1982, Chase participated in "Safe Pass 1982," a member of the Fleet Composite Operational Readiness Group