Barbour County (LST 1195) - Naval Cruise Book

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c o M M A N D I N G CDR T.D. Greeson O F F I C E R Commander Tommy D. GREESON was born in Mooresville. North Carolina on 5 August 1940. Upon graduation from Clemson University in January 1963, he entered Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign, USNR. Commander GREESON was initially assigned to USS FEARLESS (MSO 442), where he served as Mine Countermeasures Officer, Supply officer, and Operations Officer. In March 1966 he received orders to the Naval D-stroyer School, Newport. Rhode Island. After graduating in December 1966, he reported to the USS STRONG (DD 750) where he served as Operations Officer until March 1969. From May 1969 to March 1971, he commanded USS CHEBOYGAN COUNTY (LST 533) and USS NESPELEN (AOG 55). October 1974, he earned his Master of Science Degree in Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. From there he reported to USS FAIRFAX COUNTY (LST 1193) as Executive Officer. In August 1976, he entered the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Prior to assuming command of USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST 1 195), CDR GREESON was on with Staff of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Norfolk, Virginia. CDR GREESON is married to the former Patricia Anne CHARPIA of Summerville, South Carolina. They live in Bonita, California area.

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USS BARBOUR COUNTY LST 1195 BARBOUR COUNTY is one of the revolutionary new class of Tank Landing Ships in the U.S. Navy. BARBOUR COUNTY was built by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, and was com- missioned at Long Beach Naval Shipyard on February 12, 1972. This class of LST is almost twice as large as the World War II LSTs. At 4800 tons, BARBOUR COUNTY weighs as much as four World W:ir II destroyers. Ma- neuvering is assisted by a bow thruster. This is a separate variable pitch propeller mounted in the forward part of the hull. The bow thruster enables the conning officer to move the bow laterally through the water. Although a radical departure from her World War II predicessor, today ' s LST ' s primary mission remains the same: to land tanks, vehicles, and other heavy equipment directly on a hostile beach during an amphibious assault. The method by which this is accomplished is unique with the new LST s. They are capable of steaming in excess of 20 knots for prolonged periods, accomplished partly by an increase in power, but more importantly through a redesigned hull using a cruiser-type bow. The ships speed is controlled by a new advanced sys- tem. Control consoles arc provided in two engineering spaces and on the bridge. The six main ALCO V-16 diesel engines and the twin varible pitch screws are run by a sophisticated pneumatic hydraulic system, allowing engines to operate efficiently at any given speed. The new design is a radical departure from the old LST concept. Two derrick arms at the bow, support a 40-ton, 1 12 aluminum bow ramp. When the ramp is run out and lowered to the beach, the upper most portion of the bows (called Bow Doors) split and fold back. The derrick arms support the bow ramp, over which vehicles may drive directly on the beach or over a float- ing causeway. The derrick configuration on the bow, the boxlike superstructure, and a staggered arrangement of the ships stacks give us easy recognition features. The tank deck is connected to the main deck by a hinged ramp that makes it easy to discharge out rolling stock by simply driving it off (rolling stock include trucks, jeeps, tanks, bulldozers, even cranes). We also have a stern door that lowers to allow LVT ' s loaded with marines and equipment to plunge out the back of the ship, while the ship is still underway. Newport Class LST ' s have another unique feature, they have a 30 turn table, located on the tank deck. One at each end of the ship. These turn tables are used to speed up the loading of vehicles and still have them ready to hit the beach in a hurry. A vehicle drives on to the ship up the bow ramp, down the between deck ramp and the turn table, the table spins the vehicle round and the vehicle backs into it ' s position and is ready to drive off again headed in the right direction. In addition to the rolling stock, and the marines that go with it, (we can carry approximately 300 marines when we are operating or are combat ready) we have a night deck for landing helo ' s, a rack on the side to carry pontoons to make a causeway from us to the beach to drive over, and four ships boats to help in landing ma- rines, support salvage operations and to direct traffic and anything else we may be called to do. As you can see by now the USS BARBOUR COUN- TY is a versatile ship and needs a skilled crew to keep her ready to do the job when she ' s called upon.

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PXO LIEUTENANT COMMANDER James P. KELLY was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from his homes- tate of New Jersey and, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and commissioning in 1966, he reported to USS Harry E. HUBBARD (DD 748). His subsequent duty stations were the USS CANBERRA (CA 70); Fleet Command Advisory Unit of U.S. Naval Advisory Group, Vietnam; Staff, Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Pacific where he also earned a Master of Science in Management Science; Staff, Destroyer Squad- ron TWENTY-ONE; USS RICHARG S. EDWARDS (DD 950) USS VANCOUVER (LPD 2); Naval Amphibi- ous School, Coronado, California and reported onboard USS BARBOUR COUNTY (EST 1195) to assume the duties as the Executive Officer on 14 July 1979. He is married to the former Marguerite Marsh and they live in San Diego, California with their two sons. RXO LCDR James Kelly EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER Ronald V. BERG hails from Spokane, Washington. He graduated from Washington State University in March 1966. He received his commission from the Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. LCDR BERG reported USS BARBOUR COUNTY (EST 1 195) in January, 1978. P ' -ior to which he served at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island as a student. His previous duty assignments have been aboard USS EVANS (DE 1023); USS SPHINX (ARE 24); and USS WILTSIE (DD 716). He was at one time Aide and Administrat to the Deputy Chief of Naval Reserve in New Orleans, Louisiana. LCDR BERG is married to the former Patricia Torney of Spokane, Washington. They have three children and live in Bonita. California. LCDR Ronald Berg