the sound profile of the reduction gears; in addition, Skipjack was required to generate a unique sound signal at all times. This was done so the ASW crews could be certain they were targeting the right submarine and not accidentally launch a simulated attack on a real Russian submarine. As a result of all these safety measures and restrictions, the ASW forces were able to locate Skipjack nearly 50 percent of the time. At the end 1973 Skipjack was transferred to the submarine base at Groton in preparation for a refueling overhaul at General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division. After conducting a few more exercises, Skipjack entered the shipyard for overhaul in the summer of 1974. Skipjack completed the overhaul and a follow-on dry docking by the summer of 1977. Following a change of command, Skipjack proceeded to the Autec range for a series of shakedown and certification exercises. Skipjack then deployed to the Mediterranean in October, 1977, returning in March 1978. Later that year, Skipjack completed a 59 day ASW exercise northern Atlantic, with a stop in Holy Loch, Scotland. The ship then conducted a surface transit down Irish Sea to Plymouth, England, before returning to Groton. Late in 1978, Skipjack again deployed to the Mediterranean, returning late spring of 1979. During this period, Skipjack was awarded the Comsubron 2 Battle Efficiency “E.” 1980s From early December 1979 to mid-February 1980, Skipjack engaged in NATO exercises in the North Atlantic and stopped in Halifax, Nova Scotia for Christmas 1979. During these operations, Skipjack survived a major North Atlantic hurricane that resulted in some loss of life among the NATO fleet with which she operated. After returning to her homeport of Groton in late February 1980 for a short time, she then deployed for further ASW exercises in February with the Atlantic Fleet and for her Mark 48 qualifications in the Caribbean stopping in Cocoa Beach, Florida (Cape Canaveral) and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The remainder of the Spring of 1980 was spent in short ops and a short drydock refit in Groton. In June 1980, Skipjack deployed to the Caribbean, the South Atlantic, and the South Pacific as part of UNITAS that year. During UNITAS, she engaged in ASW operations with ships of the Atlantic Fleet and from various South American Navies requiring she transit the Panama Canal into the Pacific and then return. She stopped in Port Everglades, Fl.(Ft.