Austin (LPD 4) - Naval Cruise Book

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ABF3 Bryan Baker AS3 Rafael Perez ABFAN Nickoy Elliott AN Wayne Giscombe f'-Q' AA Iose Jimenez ABFAN Lenin Espinoza AR Riston Essex AR Shaidi Matata THE Air Department operates and maintains a 6-spot flight deck capable of landing all U.S. Military helicopters, the V-22 Ospreyj' and the AV-8B Harrier . Additionally members of the Air Department operate two fuel systems: a 216,000-gallon IP5 Cjet fuelj system and 22,500-gallon MOGAS Qautomotive gasolinej fuel system. During Med Cruise 2000 the crew continually worked long hours in support of the 26 MEU Air Combat Element QACEJ, which operated four H-46 Sea Knights and two UH-1 Hueys from the USS AUSTIN. With the ACE 'package' continuously embarked for the first 4 months of cruise, Air Department performed over 5400 mishap-free aircraft evolutions and transferred 210,000 gallons of IP5 and 2000 gallons of MGGAS to aircraft, boats and vehicles. Air Department contributed to the many AUSTIN firsts by executing the first landing of a Russian-built, Croatian owned Mi-8 Hip helicopter aboard a U.S. Navy vessel. Additionally Air Department provided aviation-related support to all of USS AUSTINS operational commitments, including Operation Atlas Hinge 00, Operation Destined Glory 00, and Croatian PHIBLEX 00. Finally the Air Department said good-bye to LCDR Perry ABE3 Baker, AN Giscombe, and AN Matatta during Med Cruise 2000 while welcoming LT Rapp, AN Waye, AA Hitchings and ABH3 Bridegam. 1 Uss Austin - MARS 3-oo ABHAN Christopher Taylor

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LT Patrick Christian lst Lieutenant 'fian- ENS Brian Vandivef ENS Steven Argroves 3rd Division Officer Division Officer Deck Department, manned by the Navys finest Boatswains Mates, is charged with conducting underway replenishments, anchoring and mooring of the ship, crane and small boat operations, running of the well deck, man overboard recoveries and, if the need should arise, rig for towing another ship, as well as maintaining the exterior of the AUSTIN. An additional part of deck department is the Navys top Gunners Mates, who maintain and operate all ships small arms. To sum up deck department, We Do It All! First division is responsible for the ships anchors, as well as the forward lines when the ship is entering port or getting underway. They man the well deck for all wet well operations, whether it be launch and recovery or a landing craft utility CLCUD, landing craft air cushion QLCACJ, combat raider raft craft QCRRCD, amphibious assault vehicle CAAVJ or light amphibious replenishment craft QLARCJ, first division handles them all, safely and professionally. Additionally first division maintains upper vehicle stowage and the bos'n locker. Second division is responsible for after lines of the ship, as well as the accommodation ladders for when the ship is entering port or getting underway. They man the boat 8: aircraft crane for the launch and recovery of the ships small boats, in addition to any embarked small craft. They are also responsible for the boat davit and ridged hull inflatable boat QRHIBJ which is used in man overboard rescues. Additionally second division maintains and operates the ships two vehicle ramps, leading from the flight deck to upper vehicle deck and upper vehicle to lower vehicle deck. Third division is responsible for providing AUSTIN with both offensive and defensive capabilities. In accomplishing their mission, the Gunners Mates operate and maintain all ships small arms and ammunition onboard, maintain the ships pyrotechnics lockers, magazines, and their sprinkler systems, store and transfer of all Marine ammunition onboard, and instruct small arms familiarization to the crew. Its a big job for a small group of dedicated men. USS Austin - MARS 3-00 ll