Biddle (CG 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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EMCM James S. Traynor QMC William H. Ilelln Queens, N.Y. Queens, N.Y. YNC Steven O. bchroeder La Porte, In. HMC Lyie E. Walden North Blast, Md. Division YNl P. Alexander PNl P. King EWl D. Leachman Orlando, Fl. Philadelphia, Pa. St. Mobile, Al. PN2 A. Carder PC2 J. Robinson QM3 W. Clavin Jamestown, N.Y. Marset, Me. Warwick, R.I. HM3 B. Rollins J03 R. Shelley Campbell, Al. Louisville, Ky. YNSN R. Bestone.Jr. PNSN E. Devol YNSN R. Fisher, Jr. SN G.O ' Meli; Portland, Ot. Springfield, Mo. GransviUe, Pa. Howell, N.J. SN E. Rose, Jr. New York, N.Y. SN J. Rouse Temple City, Ca.

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Navigation Department The Navigation Department encompasses three distinct fields: Navigation, Admin- istration and Medical, all massed in one division, NX. A ship is just a speck in a vast ocean and knowing the actual location of the ship is no easy matter. Quartermasters provide for the safe and effective navigation and piloting of the ship. Quartermasters shoot the sun and the stats in a navigational technique that hasn ' t changed in hundreds of years. Also, with the introduction of space satellites they are able to use the most modern means of navigation. Quartermasters also perform as assistants to the Officer of the Deck by maintaining the numerous logs which form a basis for the official ship ' s record, serve as weathermen and maintain the time and time pieces of the ship along with numerous other related details associated with the underway bridge watch. As on every ship there is a lot of paperwork and it is necessary to have clerical personnel to ensure that this work is done properly. Administration is composed of various offices of the Executive Staff. The Personnel men of the Personnel Office maintain the service records of the 385 BIDDLE men. The Yeoman of the Ship ' s Office handle all the correspondence to and from the ship. The Career Counselor in the Career Counselor ' s office keeps the crew updated on retention programs, discharge and retirement benefits and career opportunities. The health and welfare of the crew is handled by the BIDDLE sickbay. Manned by Hospital Corpsmen whose range of duties ificlude vaccinations, holding sick call to minor surgery and on occasion, major surgery. Other offices within the Executive Staff include the Master-At-Arms, Post Office and Preventive Maintenance System Office. Other Executive Staff tasks include the Educa- tional Services Officer, Public Affairs Officer and Legal Officer. QlttJS. I LT Robert M. Wins low Virginia Beach, Va. Navigation Officer D VSIP.Almi! OtliDlo, Fl. H liKMO»ii, v.y R ' «il!iid,tk.

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Bravo Zulus OPl-RATIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM COMSECONDFLT 1. Upon arrival point charlie the ships of this transit group will detach and proceed to homeports. We have all steamed a long way together in the past few months and have engaged in extensive and challenging operations. At this time I consider it appropriate to again recognize the superb performance of all participating units. 2. Throughout the entire deployment the positive attitude, responsiveness and professionalism of every command has been commendable. The commitments were many, the pressure was continuous, the hours were long. Without exception, you responded to every demand in a manner that reflected most favorably on the high state of readi- ness expected of the fighting ships of our Navy. Be assured that your performance has not gone unnoticed by our NATO friends. It was an admirable display of our capabilities and a reassuring demonstration of our nation ' s resolve to fulfill the commitments made to our NATO allies. 3. The fleet ' s readiness to conduct sustained combat operations at sea has been greatly enhanced by these opera- tions. We can not rest on our laurels, but must continue to refine our professional capabilities. You have a proud record behind you. We will now steam into homeport as the most ready units in Second Fleet. Let ' s keep it that way VICE ADMIRAL SHANAHAN OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM COMCARGRU IX. 1. Ref A (above message) is passed to addees with my full endorsement and added well done. It says it all and I would only add that the many lessons learned over the past two months were pointed out by incumbent personnel of participating units and are too valuable not to be passed on to those who will relieve us. Progress is possible only if we start the next evolution where we stopped the last one. 2. Enumeration of the many individual accomplishments of the addees would require too many words and would be vulnerable to inadvertant omission, however, I must recognize COMDESRON TWO as the fleet champion flag breaker (including aboard at least one train and one bus)and CALOOSAHATCHIE as the bulldog among greyhounds for perserverence and innovation. REAR ADMIRAL DIXON OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS TEST FROM COMSECONDFLT 1. The support and performance of participants in accomplishing this high priority test has significantly enhanced fleet readiness in an entirely new area. The comm shacks of BIDDLE and MT WHITNEY have once again demon- strated their superior professionalism. VICE ADMIRAL SHANAHAN From: COMSECONDFLT To: USS BIDDLE 1. I want to express my appreciation to the Officers and Men of the USS BIDDLE the sometimes Flagship of COMSTRIKELTLANT COMSECONDFLT during the recent NATO Operations and port visits. 2. BIDDLE performed admirably in supporting ME and in hosting and entertaining foreign dignitaries while in port. I received many laudatory comments from these guests about the appearance of the ship and the crew. From my observations, the BIDDLE is a first class ship with a proud and professional crew. I would particularly like to pay recognition to the supply department and to the guys in radio for their invaluable support. 3. Keep charging. SHANAHAN. From: COMPHIBGRU TWO To: USS BIDDLE 1. Hospitality while BIDDLE was my flagship outstanding. 2. Professional performance at sea and impeccable manners ashore make the BIDDLE a proud representative of the fleet, Navy and United States. RADM PALMER From: Commandant First Marine District Cherbourg, France To: USS BIDDLE The visit of your beautiful ship to Cherbourg was an occasion to tighten the ties of friendship between our two Navies. We wish you fair winds, nice seas on your return to your country, near your families.