Birmingham (SSN 695) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 64 of the 1981 volume:

Med Run Jul 80 - Feb 81 MED the Next to the Last Frontier These are the Voyages of the Submarine BIRMINGHAM Her Mission to Seek Out and Accomplish Various Difficult Operations: 7 MONTHS ? ? To be the Example of ASW Excellence and Become an Ambassador of America To Boldly Go Where No SUB Has Ever Gone Before The Ship W ! It BUILT: NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA KEEL LAID; APRIL 26, 1975 LAUNCHED: OCTOBER 29, 1977 COMMISSIONED: DECEMBER 16, 1978 BIRMINGHAM is a nuclear attack type submarine of the LOS ANGELES class whose wartime mission is to destroy enemy submarines and ensure freedom of the seas. The noise reduction in all moving parts gives BIRMINGHAM an inherent silent quality and permits optimum performance of her long range sonar system. The combination of endurance and independence of the earth ' s atmosphere provided by nuclear propulsion, deep submergence, high speed capabilities and the latest weapons systems, makes BIRMINGHAM one of the Navy ' s most effective antisubmarine weapons system. The ship has an overall length of 360 feet, a beam of 33 feet and a submerged displacement of 6,900 tons. Its armament includes Mark-48 torpedoes and submarine rockets. The ship ' s name honors the city of Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama, county seat of Jefferson County, and one of the leading industrial cities in the South. it was first settled in 1871 at the junction of two railroads and was named for Birmingham, England. HISTORY The BIRMINGHAM is the third United States ship to bear the name. The first was a cruiser commissioned in 1908, From her deck in 1910, Eugene Ely made the first airplane flight from a warship. She was de- commissioned in 1923. The second was also a cruiser commissioned in 1943. During World War II, she -served in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, received extensive battle damage three times, and earned nine battle stars. In the Battle of Leyte Gulf she sustained 229 dead and over 400 wounded when a magazine exploded aboard the severely damaged USS PRINCETON (CVL 23) just as BIRMINGHAM came alongside to assist. Following three months of repair, BIRMINGHAM was returned to service but was decommissioned in 1947. The Captain COMMANDER PAUL L. CALLAHAN Commander Paul L. Callahan was born in Minnapolis, Minnesota on July 29, 1940. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1958 following graduation from high school in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation with the Class of 1962. Commander Callahan entered nuclear power training and attended Nuclear Power School in Mare Island, California and the SIW Prototype in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He then reported to Sub- marine School, graduating in .April 1964. In May 1964, Commander Callahan joined the pre-com- missioning crew of the i;ss IIADDO (SSN 604) and served as Sonar Officer, Communicator, Electronics Material Officer, Supply Officer, Main Propulsion .Assistant and Electrical Officer over the next three years. He qualified in submarines aboard HADDO in 1965. In May 1967, Commander Callahan joined the precommissioning crew of the ISS GR.AYLING (SSN ' -646) as Engineer Officer. He was detached from GRAYLING in 1970 and reported to the Staff of Com- mander in Chief, I ' .S. Atlantic Fleet for duty with the . ' aval Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. In September 1972, Commander Callahan joined USS FLASHER (SSN-613), serving as Operations Officer and Navigator, lie then joined I ' SS S.ARGO (SS.N 583) as Executive Officer in April 1974. He was detached from SARGO in February 1976. Commander Callahan next re- ported as instructor at the Chief of Naval Operations ' Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He detached from this duty in March 1977. After duty at the Division of Naval Reactors in Washington, D.C. and with Commander Submarine Force, I ' .S. .Atlantic Fleet, Commander Callahan reported as Prospective Commanding Officer, BIRMINGHAM (SSN 695) in September 1977, and as Commanding Officer on 16 December 1978. Commander Callahan is married to .Ann Traver Putney of Wilmington, Delaware. The Callahans reside in Hampton, Virginia with their daughter Megan and son Michael. TheXO LCDR McHugh graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1968 . He attended the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey and earned a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. upon completion of nuclear power training in 1970, he served aboard USS HENRY L. STIMSON (SSBN 655) as a division officer and refueling officer until 1974. He then reported to the precommissioning unit for USS LOS ANGELES (SSN 688) as Engineer Officer. Upon com- missioning he served as Engineer Officer of USS LOS ANGELES until 1977. He then attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia and reported for duty as a member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board He reported to BIRMINGHAM as Executive Officer in April 1980. LCDR McHugh is married to Suzanne Harvey. The McHugh ' s reside in Newport News, Virginia with their daughter Becky and son Michael. h= • ■ -■ - _ II Sill - PLANET La Maddalena, Sardinia STAR BASE 1 in the Italy STAR SYSTEM PLANET Cartegena, in the Spain STAR SYSTEM --.,,-- i nrarn r«i ik.. _.. E I ii--.fr. ' ! ?!-!; I J . St ■ WtK HbHubv .1.4 • i R .7. V ' 111 11 Ifii l HRiriSH OITPOST GIBRALTAR in the Spain STAR SYSTEM ! . Si ti . ' T .-: - rl LCDR K. A. MATHEWS 1 LCDR J. E. ELLIS LT M. E. DALING LT G. L. HOLMES -V. LTJG J. A. HALSEMA LT N. F. CALDWELL LTJG J. F. BLAND LTJG A. T. CORTESE The Otficers LTJG C. L. DOUGHTY I NS R. D. PECK ENS B. W. YEP TMCS(SS) J. R. HERRELL SCK(SS) S. N. STEPHENS TMCM(SS) J. G. JOHNSTON (CHIEF OF ALL BEINGS) 1m - MMC(SS) R. E. MEIER EMC(SS) E. E. STAMPER, JR. MMC(SS) R. F. VALENTINE MSC(SS) M. OLIVAR The Chiefs EMC(SS) W. R. BOYES MMC(SS) T. E. VOELKEL, JR. ICC(SS) K. D FLOWERDEW ETC(SS) G. DALLAS MMC(SS) M. J. LAMY n l Division TIte Men L - R Chief Valentine, Chief Meier, Martel, Christensen, White, Overstreet, Thomas, Dalton, VVyatt, Bell, Mosher, Larson, Haas, Baylor. f Division L - R Ahern. Taylor, Crockett, Ketchell, Exford, Petrea, Murphy, Voris. a ' l RC Division 1- R Banres, Karc ewski, Boertjens, Cavasos, Van Buren, Campbell. A Division Back - Front L - R Chief Voelkel, Wilke.v, S. Jones, Shiple, Robinson, Beckwith, Craver, Pashko, Otto, Chief Lamy. IC Division Ml ' L - R Bixby, Harry, Starkey L - R Richter, Bounds, Senior Chief Herrell, Little, Duggan. ST Division L - R McGuire, Millner, A. Williams, Harris, McMillen, Krueger, Obermann, Cain, Munson, R. Williams. DSI FT Division L - R D. Phillips, McCord, Farley, Scofield, Bieber, Mitchell. RM Division v • ■ ' I _ L - R Cencich, Despard, Boyer, Chamberlain, Stanfield, MacFarlane. Decli Division L - R Marie le, Harris, Bieber. «,1 Caoks and Mess Cooks L - R Frestis, Henry, Bieber, Connelly, Beckwith, T. Jones. ET Division L - R Chief Dallas, Farmer, Wilder, Witt. QM Division L - R Burker, Kamletz, Patrick. SK Division L - R Peterson, R Phillips, ( hief Stephens. il L - R Kernaghan, Fravel. MDR Division Smith Sailor of the Quarter BIRMINGHAM SAILOR OF THE QUARTER to JEROME D. BARNES Electronics Technician Second Class BIRMINGHAM Sailor of the Quarter for the First Quarter of 1981 was based on several factors. Key among these factors were a keen sense of responsibility toward your job, the Navy and BIRMINGHAM, a high standard of personal performance, and the exercising of initiative. You must demonstrate moral responsibility to your shipmates and your ship. You must exhibit high self respect and have shown that respect to your subordinates and seniors. Your personal ap- pearance has to be an excellent example for others to follo w. Ill n led Log 80 - 81 29 July 80 Departed to the MED (BIRMINGHAM ' S FIRST DEPLOYMENT) 08 August 80 Arrived off Gibraltar - Picked up the ORSE Team 09 August 80 ORSE - (Above Average) 11 August 80 Arrived at La Maddalena For First Upkeep 24 August 80 Departed La Maddalena 01 September 80 Gong Show (Labor Day) 04 September 80 Admiral Bell Rides lis 06 September 80 Arrived Cartegena, Spain 10 September 80 Departed Cartegena, Spain 15 September 80 Arrived Naples, Italy, First Time 26 September 80 Arrived Naples, Italy, Second Time (Trips to Rome) 30 September 80 Departed Naples, Italy 01 - 31 October 80 The Long Month 13 October 80 The Chief Navy Birthday Dinner 24 October 80 Halfway Night 06 November 80 Start of Upkeep at La Maddalena 24 November 80 Sea Trials 27 November 80 Thanksgiving Day 29 November 80 The Extension Messages 09 December 80 Visited Lisbon, Portugal 13 December 80 Departed Lisbon, Portugal 24 December 80 Arrived Haifa, Christmas Eve (Tours to Jerusalem, Bethlehem) 25 December 80 Christmas Day 28 December 80 Departed Haifa, Swim Call 01 January 81 New Year ' s Day 19 January 81 ' rrived in La Maddalena for the Last Time 21 January 81 BIRMINGHAM Gets HOOK EM Award from Sixth Fleet 24 January 81 OLTCHOPPED the MED (Almost) 24 January 81 Arrived in Gibraltar 02 February 81 OLTCHOPPED (FINALLY) 06 February 81 Message of Farewell from SIXTHFLT 08 February 81 Message of Welcome Home - COMSLBLANT 12 February 81 Message of Welcome Home - COMSl BRON EIGHT 18 February 81 Home at Last (NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US OF A) Gene, Brenda Michell Ahern - September 20, 1980 Jeannie Dave Strahler Nathaniel Joseph Christensen Date of Birth - 3 September 1980 Bom in - Omaha, Nebraska Pam Tony Christensen Teresa Marie Mosher Date of Birth - 12 October 1980 Bom in - San Antonio, Texas Maggie Bob Mosher , Mark Andrew Williams Weight - 6 lbs. 14 ' 2 oz. Length - 20 inches Date of Birth - 8 January 1981 AI Sandy Williams Kristina Marie Daling Weight - 8 lbs. 13 oz. Length - 20 ' 2 inches Date of Birth - 12 December 1980 Mike Kay Dating Half ' Way Night Bingo? But, XO, i only called two numbers The Gong Show These keys are for what? Ship Diving Party Number One. like the cows! And Uie :ow.s like me! The Forvi atd of the Tton ' s vs The After of the Tton s Baskethall Game of the Stars So you wanted to become a star Reaching for the STAR ' S. (liare.y and his bounce ball. LOOK MOM! Your son, the superjock! That ' s good. OK let ' s try it again, Sir See Dick run HA, HA, FL.NNY JOKE, You can lift it now guys, GUYS. . . THE NIGHT BEFORE Yep, It just as ugly on the inside. T ' WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE Ol TCHOP AND ALL THRl THE MED, NOT A CREATl RE WAS STIRRING NOT EVEN A RED. THE EO.XTROTS ALL HI NG BY THEIR TENDER WITH CARE, AND BIRMINGHAM SAILORS HOPED THEY ' D STAY THERE. THE CREW WAS ALL NESTLED, SNIG IN THEIR RACKS, EXCEPT FOR THE CAPTAIN WHO WATCHED ALL THE TRACKS. WHEN SUDDENLY FROM SONAR THERE CAME SI CH A CLATTER. WE CAME TO P.D. TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER. WE CLEARED ALL THE BAFFLES, AND POPPED IP THE SCOPE PREPARED FOR A SIGHT THAT WOl LD DASH ALL Ol R HOPE. AND WHAT TO OUR WONDERING EYES DO WE SEE, BIT A KRESTA. A KANNEN AND A NEW VICTOR III. WE RADIO NORFOLK THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR, TO HELL WITH A TRANSIT WE WANT TO STAY HERE. WE TRACKED THEM ALL NIGHT AND TOOK PHOTOS BY DAY. BET WHEN WE DID LOSE THEM IT WAS GOD ' S HELL TO PAY. THEY TRIED AND THEY TRIED, Bl T RESULTS WERE THE SAME, THE CAPTAIN GOT ANGRY AND CALLED THEM BY NAME. ' ON OBIE, MC MILLAN, ON HARRIS AND KRUEGER, ON MUNSON, ON WILSON, MCGUIRE, AND MILNER YOU GET TO YOUR STACKS AND FIND IVAN THE RED. AND IF THAT YOl DON ' T IT WILL BE YOUR OWN HEADS. SO WE ' RE STILL IN THE MED, FINDING RUSSIANS BY CHANCE, Ol R NEW DATE IS MAY, BUT DON ' T BET THE RANCH. Nick Dibenedetto Like father - like son. The Bald Baron I only had 2 beers. think he likes ine. aBA AdAMfid I told you the main engines would go next. How many miles to Norfolk ' ' Ha, ha, I ' m not mad, I ' ve always been this way. You just never noticed. You know, Eng, when I grow up want to be just like you With just twenty-three days ' til Norfolk It was spread thru out the boat The morale and spirit was high With the officers, the crew and the goats We had made our long run Our time we ' d put in Our presents were bought To take back to our kin Just biding our time .And punching holes in the sea Waiting to out chop And Lisbon yet to see About sixteen hundred We went to P. D. Copying N.AVSAT and broadcast In a very rough sea Captain to radio! Cried the radio room guys .And when the captain came out There were tears in his eyes He read and he re-read But the message would not change To not to have to break this news I ' d welcome a case of the mange He picked up the mike .And with trembling lips he said Home for Christmas we won ' t be We ' ve been extended instead. ' ' April Fools? asked the helmsman It can ' t be! cried the crew No joke, said the captain I ' m afraid that it ' s true. Our traditions are strong .And our pride runs very deep If our presence is needed Then our position we ' ll keep We all miss our loved ones And they all miss you But they find consolation in knowing That it ' s a job we must do Worry not for your family For they aren ' t alone The wives help each other ■And squadron is always by the phone So take heart, my submariners For we ARE a strong breed This one minor obstacle We shall overcome and succeed In the cold of the winter Toward .Norfolk we ' ll head And what better weather is there For you and your mama to be in bed? The Bald Baron UP UP AND AWAY MY A S.@B 2300AD. MopeL £0 Cob and his true lo e, jullie. The Over the lliil Gang rides again E;-:;x-ji., .i- -._:. T ' ii i fci ififc i Looks like Murph picked up another oinker It ' s amazing how some of these carvings look almost alive. Look out, you see the tugs anywhere? NEW YEAR ' S Eve Here I sit on New year ' s Eve, Wishing 1 was Home on Leave For there is no place worse for me. Than on a ship out to sea. I stand my watch with Silent thoughts, Wishing for Something, I know not what, perhaps a Chance to see the New year ' s Day, With my family, come what may. I realize though, I ' m Luckier than most, I ' m with some friends, and that ' s no boast. Some I ' ve known but three short years. Three Short years I ' ll treasure Dear. We ' ve had some times - those friends and I , Pleasant thoughts abound. For when I found I needed them. My friends were all around. yes, here i sit on New year ' s Eve, perhaps I really don ' t need that leave, For there ' s far worse places for me to be. Than on a ship out at sea. Kevin Bronson Better call the ship, I think they beamed us down on the wrong planet. . ' h - ' j ' - ■ tT? SIS ■ ' So that ' s what happens when you go two weeks dink. What do va mean, I can ' t take my llarley with me? ■. ' ■ ' u ' - i r • WT f-— - But - I don ' t see any Alpha Particles Til VNKS DAD HB ■ S|PI I P t ' V H B 1 Bb A B K 1 Hfe §: ! ' m.i i m n Mul ll r jR It won ' t be like this when I become Logroom VN- The Bobbsey Twins Brief on hazards ol Naples Harbor. REVEILLE! REVEILLE! IP ALL BUNKS All hands out of the pool It ' s more than a pay check - it ' s an adventure! Look Ma! NO HANDS The BIRMINGHAM with dome Maybe I should turn out the lights. Thank God for Tech Manuals. If I put the cob ' s teddy bear here he ' ll never find it. ii What ' c ha got in that there bag, boy! You ' ll have to wait a minute to review my logs, Captain! Bill and Bob, WHO ' Don ' t laugh too hard Flash, you ' re next to walk the plank. BIRMINGHAM ' S answer to John TravolU There are no Section Eight ' s on BIRMINGHAM. WBQQ 695 on your FM dial It «iisn ' ( like tins in the old navy. BIRMINGHAM riot squad I didn ' t know it was a lountain, I thought it was a swimming pool. WS ' ■ HimSnNBi Hl ■bHfc«. ' - T ' fi- .m SHHBfl l P ' 4 WJ : ' N i I J U| r V ,, -=-. A r I think we are lost, guys. .i Miss Birmingham of 1980 Kmm JH H i lf ' Mi£ H H n%r J 4| i v lR P y - ' -— • , . 4 . It was then when we heard, that you were extended; We thought to ourselves, on you we ' ve depended. After anger was gone, with plans that lay crushed; A thought came to us, in a varitable rush. Discuss it we did, my family and me; With hope that you ' re not, a-sail in a troubled sea. The papers they shout, the TV news grim; Of the terrible troubles, near the waters you ' re in. Iran and Iraq, a war they do fight; Over water and oil, that gives you your life. Syria and Jordan, they bluster and pose; The rest of the world wonders, what goes? Poland and Russia, the hawk and the bear; Fight over free unions, it ' s enough to despair. The Birmingham I ' m told, was born for the sea; That you are part of it, is enough just for me. So keep this thought close, my proud submariner; We think of you daily, our love gets much keener. For when you return, to Norfolk, VA. We can hope to ourselves, he ' s home to stay. But go out to sea? again you must? All my hopes and love, again you can trust. The Wives and Girl Friends of the USS BIRMINGHAM From: Commander Sixth Fleet As you set course for homeport and a well deserved reunion with families and friends we extend our heartiest congratulations to each of you for BIRMINGHAM ' S many accomplishments over the past six months, Professionalism, ingenuity, and tenacity were hallmarks of Birmingham ' s inspired performance in the accomplishment of every tasking, and in addition you made truly significant contributions in the MED ASW and to the strength of the Southern Region. Your personal sacrifice and dedication over the Holiday Season are par t icular ily appreciated. Well Done. We wish you every success in the future and eagerly await your return to SIXTHFLT. Have a safe trip home. VADM W. N. SMALL, COMMANDER SIXTH FLEET From: Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet As you return home from your arduous Mediterranean deployment, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Officers and Crew of BIRMINGHAM for a superbly accomplished job. Your deployment was extended in excess of a month due to urgent operational commitments and again by several weeks due to the sonar dome problem, Through all of these difficult periods, BIRMINGHAM, including her families, reacted with professionalism, dedication, and understanding You made significant contributions during your time in the Mediterranean and demonstrated most graphically the extensive capabilities of your ship Welcome Home. VADM S. A. WHITE, COMSUBLANT S ;. - DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY A-v SUNRISE: 0644 u.S.S. BIRMINGHAM ISSN 6951 DO: LT BOHANTnLAN f j ' ;- SUNSET: 1748 FLEET POST OFFICE DCPO: NNC(SS) LAMY • DUTY SEC: 1 new yobk 09505 EDO: LTJG GhSShWKY jy ENG DUTY SEC: 1 NNC (SS) VALENH INE PLAN OF THE DAY Wednesday 18 FEBRUARY 1981 049 LT 24 HTC 0001 - tovie - Foxes - Continue Pizza Night, Thanks Cooks 0001 - 0900 Channel Fever 0500 - Breakfast (Piloting Party First Call) 0530 - Relieve the watch 0530 (about) Station The Piloting Party 0600 - Reveille Up All Bunks 0630 - (about) Station the Maneuvering Watch 1000 - Moored at NORFOIi , VA, US of A Muster the Restricted Man 1200 - Lunch 1600 - Evening Meal 1830 - Duty Section Clean up the Ship 1900 - DCPO muster the restricted Man 1930 - Movie call - Foxes NOTES 1. There are no ships Qualifications Delinguents. Well Done. 2. Watchstation delinquents are as follows: RM2(SS) MACFARLANE 3. Congratulations to Er2(SS) CAV7VZ0S for Qualification as Reactor Operator (RD) . 4. Those individuals who purchased a gallon of Pusser ' s rum in Gibralter have had their custcms declaration rriarked as duty owed. Three quarts of the gallon required duty to be paid. Best estimation is the duty tax will be less than $10.00. 5. All hands who have personal gear stored in SES are reminded to have all gear removed by noon 19 February. Please remove as much as possible on arrived to clear the area for sonar testing. 6. Thanks for Pizza Night - Good Job to all the Cooks, MSC(SS) OLIVAR, MS2(SS) HENRY, MS2(SS) ELLIS, MSSN(SS) CLARK, MSSN CONNELLY, MSSA COLLINS, SN lEBEVRE, and all the Mess Cooks. 7. All hands must be on board at 0800 Tuesday, 3 Inarch 81 for weapons off load. 8. Due to the extension XO ' s Halloween surprizes can be cashed in until 1 May 1981. 9. From: BIRMINC31AM PRESS To: The Crew of USS BIRMINGHAM (SSN695) 1. Well Done! Happy Stand down from Staff and Managonent of the BIRMINGHAM PRESS 10. Last Quote of the Day - Sometimes it ' s better to remain silent and appear ignorant than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt. lEVJ M. L. McHUOi Executive Officer Home I mm coming iinieiiiiir c! C € yo { rv Si • c .J s 9) TODAY THE NEXT TO THE LAST FRONTIER, TOMORROW THE LAST FRONTIER (I. O. THE STAFF MMKPH) (SS) BOB HELTON (MAD PHOTOG) YNl (SS) BOB (SHORTY) KERNAGHAN EXTRA SPECIAL EFFECTS MMC (SS) ED MEIER (CHIEF ED) AND CREW TIFFANY PUBLISHING COMPANY Norfolk, X ' irginia