With all the planned operations in port finished, the USS CURTIS WILBUR was ready to begin the deployment phase. First, we had an Officer exchange with one of the Singapore destroyers. Then it was time to leave port and start exercises with the other American ships mixed in with various Singapore forces.
During the course of the deployment we engaged with Singapore aircraft, submarines and ships. Exercises were conducted in many different areas of warfare. Our tasks included hiding from detection by radar and aircraft, engagement of air and sea targets and tracking submarines among many others.
While all this was going on, I continued to rebuild the ship's store and improve on ship services. I had laundry and barbershop running well. With the new items I was able to purchase from the Singapore NEX, the ship's store was becoming popular. The crew seemed to appreciate a full store and the new items I was trying out for the first time. Within the course of about a week, most of the new items were gone. That might sound like a bad thing but the primary purpose of the store is too sell out items as fast as possible and then restock those items. The element I was still missing was that I was unable to restock.
We pulled back into Singapore after about a week of operations for a liberty weekend. We also needed an Officer back from the Singapore ship. I was anxious to get back into Singapore for a few more days. Singapore is an exciting city/country. It marked the first time I was able to open up with sailors from my department during a department outing. I really hope I will be able to do that again in another liberty port.
The closing ceremony marked the end of our mission in Singapore. I did not attend that particular ceremony. I was perfectly happy to just stay on the ship and relax a little before starting the trip back to Japan.
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