USS Barney (DDG-6) - 1980s

1980s

The repairs lasted for more than a year. She returned to active duty on 5 November 1979 and for the remainder of that year conducted post overhaul refresher training. Over the next year, she operated along the east coast and in the West Indies training and undergoing inspections. On 18 November 1980, Barney stood out of Norfolk bound for the Mediterranean Sea. She arrived in Rota, Spain on the 29th and joined the 6th Fleet. On 21 December, she transited the Suez Canal once again and joined the Middle East Force. Again, she visited many East African and Persian Gulf ports. That assignment lasted until 22 February 1981 when she departed Bahrain to begin the long voyage home. Steaming via the Suez Canal and performing a short tour of duty with the 6th Fleet en route, Barney arrived back in Norfolk on 9 April. After post deployment leave and upkeep, she resumed 2d Fleet operations out of Norfolk. Three other six month deployments would occur during the 80's....another Red Sea/Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean Cruise in 84-85. In 1987-1988 Barney embarked on a Med Cruise that involved a stint with other NATO countries in a joint exercise with other NATO ships and crews...Then Barneys final six month deployment was another Med in 1989-1990...Duties in between deployments included ship yard repair stints..one in Norfolk and another extended ship yard stay in Baltimore (Dundalk) Md...also refresher training in Gitmo was accomplished twice along with a couple joint Navy/Coast Guard drug ops cruises in the Caribbean...