1980 - 1993
Third Overhaul to Her Final Deployment
In 1980, following her return to Norfolk and operations with the Second Fleet, Biddle entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for the third complex overhaul of her busy life. Outfitted with Harpoon and the Vulcan Phalanx Close-in Weaspons System, Biddle deployed to the Mediterranean in August 1981 and cruised the Black Sea for a third time, visiting ports in Turkey, Mallorca, Sardinia and Spain. As a ship of Task Force 60, Biddle was at the scene when aircraft from the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) downed two Libyan MiG-23's in the central Mediterranean.
Biddle was again close to the action during 1982 when she receivedc the Navy Expeditionary Medal for extensive operations off the coast of Lebanon in support of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force. This operaiton included escorting the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) evacuation of Beirut.
In 1983, Biddle deployed to the North Atlantic. During that deployment, there were port calls in Denmark, Germany and Scotland. Soon afterward, in April 1984, Biddle departed for a seven month Mediterranean Cruise. During this cruise, Biddle served as flagship for Commander, Sixth Fleet. Thile in this capacity, Biddle won the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Lebanon Contingency Operations.
Biddle completed a seven month Mediterranean-Indian Ocean Deployment from October 1985 to May 1986, serving as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander during Contingency operations against Libya with the USS COral Sea (CV-34) Battle Group. For exemplary service Biddle received her second Navy Unit Commendation.
After completing the deployment, Biddle moved to Philadelphia in July of 1986 for a fourth major overhaul. While in the shipyard, she was the first ship in the Navy to receive the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) combat weapons system. Throughout most of 1987, Biddle was at sea testing the effectiveness of NTU.
Biddle completed a six month Mediterranean deployment from August 1998 until february of 1989 serving as the AAW Commander for Sixth Fleet. She participated in several NATO and national exercises also patrolling the Black Sea. For outstanding performance, Biddle received the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
When Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990, Biddle deployed with the USS Saratoga (CV-60) Battle Group to the Red Sea. During Operation Desert Shield, she conducted maritime interdiction in support of the internaitonal Blockade against Iraq. While serving in this capacity, Biddle performed 38 boardings, including the only seizure of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, as well as eight other diverts. Once Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm, Biddle served as AAW picket in protection of the USS Saratoga Battle Group. On March 28 1991, Biddle returned home as victors to a Norfolk welcoming unseen since the end of World War Two. For stellar performance in the Persian Gulf War, Biddle received a third Navy Unit Commendation.
After conducting Counter-Narcotics Operations (CNOPS) off the coast of South America from May to July 1991, Biddle entered a Selected Restricted Availability from August to December 1991. On May 6, 1992 She began her last six month deployment to the Mediterranean.
