Butte (AE 27) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPT Vernon L ROSSON Toarmina. a beautiful setting. photo hy. OSl klKS Honored guests and crew. photo hr, OS! klKS photo hy OSl klKS Helo 06. Toar- mina. Officers, and the Air Det witness this solemn occasion. CAPT ROSSON and CDR MAD- ISON await the final moments photo hr. OSl kit

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The ships seal represented above is emblematic of the many characteristics of BUTTE. The dominant figure of the insignia is a silhouette represents a modern ammunition ship. The silhouetted helicopter represents BUTTE's vertical replenishment capabilities. The butte in the background is emblematic of our name and our relation with Butte. Montana. The chain which encloses the seal is emblematic of our vital link with the combatant forces and BUTTE's capability of ammunition delivery around the clock and around the world. The four stars in the lower half of the seal represents BUTTE's first administrative assignment to Commander. Service Squadron FOUR, the two stars in the upper half of the seal represents BUTTE's present administrative assignment to Commander. Service Squadron TWO and BUTTE's primary assignment under the operational control of Commander. SECOND Fleet. The total of six stars is emblematic of BUTTE’s secondary assignment to Commander. SIXTH Fleet. The color scheme is elementary. RED. encircling the seal and the butte in the background, is indicative of the ever present danger in handling explosive materials. YELLOW, in the sky portion, is symbolic of the caution used in handling ammunition and of BUTTE's ability to be on any horizon for delivery to the fleet. Blue, in the lower half, represents the sea. cutcC “TfCiaAow. USS BUTTE is one of the Navy's newest class of ammunition ships. Described informally as a floating ammunition depot. this 564 foot long vessel delivers to ships at sea the bombs, missiles and other ordnance required by naval combatants. By the use of the latest equipment available BUTTE can transfer ammunition to two ships alongside her and with the use of two CH-46 helicopters can rearm even two other ships in the vicinity. Besides her replenishment systems. BUTTE has 3 ' 50 gun mounts, a passive roll stabilization tank to provide a steady deck, a fleet of fork-trucks to handle the ammunition, all in a safe and efficient manner. BUTTE was christened and launched August 7. 1967. in Quincy. Massachusetts, and commissioned December 14. 1968. in the Boston Naval Shipyard as the second of the 'Kilauea' class ammunition ships. She was fitted out in Boston and was moved to her first home port of Norfolk. Virginia in December. 1969. In July of 1978 her home port was shifted to Brooklyn. New York where she remained until her home port became Naval Weapons Station Earle. Leonardo. New Jersey, in June 1979. BUTTE has had more than 600 ships alongside and has made ten major deployments in addition to several short cruises for shakedown, training and munitions delivery or downloads. Nine of BUTTE's deployments were to the Sixth fleet in the MED. BUTTE was also attached to the Seventh fleet on several occasions. The first was in the Western Pacific from December 1972 to July 1973 where she operated in the Tonkin Gulf and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with one Battle star. During the 1970 Jordan Crisis, the ship was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for her peacekeeping role in that operation. For her 1981 deployment to the Indian Ocean. BUTTE was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal. During the 1982 MED and Indian Ocean deployment BUTTE was named the best ship in Service Squadron TWO and was awarded the Battle Efficiency E . Communications C . Damage Control DC and Deck Seamanship Crossed Anchors awards. This year BUTTE has participated in the Bayruit operations and escorted two Saudi-Arabian Patrol Gunboats across the Mediterranean.

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Chaplin Patrick. Capt O'Reilly. Capt Rosson. Cdr Madison photo hr- OSI Kt N CDR William R. MADISON CTF 63 Capt O’Reilly relates BUTTE’s accom- plishments P9 y % fletote tnleU br■ JOi VIKKIC No task offers such a stirring challange and significant responsibility as com man» of a navy vessel. Commodore Charles W. O’Reilly. COMNAVSERVFOR SIXTHFLT and CL 63. said as key-note speaker. Onboard BUTTE on June 8. 1983 as Capt Vernon L. Rossoi turned over the command of the ship to Cdr William R. Madison. Anchored in the beautiful harbor of Taormina. Sicily, gently smoking Mt. Etna servet as a memorable backdrop to the flag-adorned flight deck and the crew in whites, attending the change of command ceremony. BMCM Straugh presented Capt Rosson with his pennant ”1 almost wished something would go wrong today, so that I may continue to serve wit the men I am proud to call my crew. ” Capt Rosson said as he turned over his command Cdr Madison said. Assuming command of a vessel is the highlight of any Navy Officer, career. To be blessed with an excellent ship and an outstanding crew, such as I havt observed aboard BUTTE is a delight ... Capt Rosson. I am proud to relieve you as Commanding Officer of this ship. ’’ u