Belknap (DLG 26) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE CREW OF THE BELKNAP come from different states, have sometimes opposing regional traditions and express a variety of attitudes. Aboard ship, however, they must share every aspect of daily living. The ship is their home for the duration of the cruise: they work together performing their profes- sional duties, cleaning compartments and passagewaysg they live together, sleeping in the same compartment with as many as fifty of their shipmates and they eat together on the Mess Decks. Last, but certainly not least, they share the loneliness of separation from their families and friends. The continuing task of personal adjustment is on each man, for his future is determined by the manner in which he conducts himself, in the shouldering of responsibilities aboard and by his actions in foreign ports of call. No instru- ment can measure the profoundness of decisions made on a long voyage, nor can it record the effect of anxiety, and sometimes fear, caused by the new and unknown experiences lying ahead. Besides contending with emotional and per- sonal problems, and adjusting to the unusual routine of life at sea, the crew has to make the ship an efficient member of the fleet in which she is serving. This takes a little more grit than men normally have, and at times the strain is evident. Depending upon the immediate situation, their professional responsibilities are both ever changing and awesome. The ship has to fit herself to each new task and assignment. One mistake, by one man, could wipe out a million dollars worth of equipment and, perhaps, priceless lives as well. No fee could be paid the crew for their ded- ication during this cruise. Some have been repaid in the pride of responsibility well borne, others in the self-satisfaction derived from having progressed one step further to- ward their life goal. This Cruise Book is not in the usual sense, a reward: it is a photo- story of the Western Pacific Cruise of 1969- 1970, whose value can only be determined in the years to come. It is dedicated to the men who make up the crew of BELKNAP. 13

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LCDR J. H, Chenard Weapons Officer IN THIS AGE OF GUIDED MISSILES, super- sonic aircraft, nuclear submarines and long range weapons, the offensive and defensive requirements of a military unit are demand- ing. In BELKNAP, the quick and effective response to any threat, be it surface, air or subsurface, is carried out by the Weapons Department. To meet this challenge, the Weapons Department is comprised of highly skilled and versatile technicians whose work and devotion to duty are apparent to all. At their disposal are some of the most sophis- ticated weapons systems and sensors in the world, including missiles, automatic guns, radars, computers, sonar and torpedoes. AS DIVISION The underwater world is the responsibility of AS Division, comprised of Sonarmen and Torpedomen. The likelihood of a submarine approaching BELKNAP un- detected is remote, since the Sonarmen search the ocean depths continuously. Should a submarine decide to challenge our command of the sea, the Torpedomen and Sonarmen could quickly persuade him to change his mind. G DIVISION One of the oldest and most hon- ored professions in the Navy is that of Gun- ner's Mate. His professional pride and ability are legendary, and in BELKNAP, this is no exception. In this era of automatic guns and gunnery control systems, the Gunner's Mates are joined by the Fire Control Technicians who maintain the gun radars, computers and control directors. DECK DIVISION One of the hardest work- ing and most versatile divisions on the ship is the Deck Division, consisting of Boat- . swain's Mates and Seamen. These men main- tain the ,exterior-I of the ship, stand bridge watches, operate boats, conduct helicopter deck operations, replenish and refuel the ship at sea and man the guns at GeneralQuarters. Throughout this cruise their pride in BEL- KNAP's appearance was well justified, as BELKNAP consistently showed the Pacific Fleet just how good a ship can look. MS. DIVISION The long range offensive and defensive punch of the BELKNAP is supplied by MS Division, comprised of Missile Gunner's Mates and Fire Control Technicians. They operate and maintain a vast array of complex equipment including radars, computers, mis- siles and launching systems. Their long hours of training and system checkout produced spectacular missile shoots which will be long remembered by the many people who saw them. 15