Chandler (DDG 996) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER ROBERT J. NATTER Commander Robert J. Natter. United States Navy, was born in Trussville. Alabama, on April 9. 1945. He was gradu- ated from the U.S. Naval Academy and commissioned an En- sign in June 1967. After commissioning. Commander Natter was assigned as Engineer in USS VIREO (MSC 205) homepor- ted in Sasebo. Japan: then as Executive Officer in USS CAD- DO PARISH (LST515) and USS IREDLL COUNTY (LST 839) in the Republic of Vietnam. He next was assigned to duty with Naval Special Warfare Group ONE serving as Officer-in- Charge of a Seal Boat Support Unit in Vietnam. From June 1971 to September 1972. he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. California, receiving a Masters Degree in Management. Following Graduate School and assignment to destroyer school in Newport. Rhode Island. Commander Natter served as Operations Officer in USS BRADLEY (DE 1041). He next was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy as a Company Officer and later as Flag Secretary to the Superin- tendent. His next move was an assignment to USS HEWITT (DD 966) as Executive Officer, and his most recent tour of duty was in the Pentagon, as Executive Assistant to the Director of Naval Warfare in the Office of the Chief of Naval Opera- tions. Commander Natter ' s personal decorations include the Silver Star Medal. Legion of Merit. Bronze Star Medal with Combat V. Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V. the Pur- ple Heart, and various unit and campaign awards. Commander Natter is married to the former Claudia Kaine of Coronado. California. They have three children Kelly, Kendall, and Courtney.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) FPO SAN FRANCISCO 96662 IN REPLY REFER TO 6 September 1986 To the Officers and Crew of CHANDLER: Upon the completion of CHANDLER ' S second overseas deployment I hope this cruise book will briefly record and recall your many accomplishments, achievements, and good times overseas. A ship of chandler ' s complexity and significant capability, which maintained a very high state of combat readiness despite only one short inport repair period during the first month of our six month deployment, could have been successful only if maintained and operated by the very best of our Navy ' s sailormen. It is my wish that this cruise book recall for you not only the pleasant times of our deployment but more importantly the high stan- dards of professional and technical competence you established and insisted upon. You have all performed superbly, both individually and as a well-trained crew. The Operations and Combat Systems teams es tablished an extremely competent and reliable weapons posture during our high-tempo operations in the Persian Gulf From their meticulous adherence to and execution of the Rules of Engagement to the readiness of their systems and operators to engage potentially hostile aircraft and ships, perfection was their benchmark. The Engineers serviced, repaired when required, and operated our complex propulsion, electrical and auxiliary systems in the highest state of readiness in spite of the extreme heat, blowing sand, and high seas of the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea. Our record of sailing on a six month voyage of approximately 28,000 nautical miles with only a brief stop the first month to shut down and repair the plant speaks well of our engineers ' competence and self-reliance. Our Supply Department supported the entire ship by loading out innumerable supplies and parts before deployment and by acquiring critical parts in faraway places, sometimes from halfway around the globe. The quality of our food never faltered even in the remote area of the Persian Gulf, testimony to our cook ' s selection as the Ney Award nominee from Cruiser Destroyer Group ONE. Our Deck Division not only stood alert and compe- tent watches around the clock but also made time to maintain our ship ' s topside equipment and deck surfaces in peak condition. Their competence as a team was well illustrated when CHANDLER was required to moor and get underway without linehandlers or tugs in two Australian ports because of a Seaman s Union Strike. Our Naviga- tion and Operations people were precise and vigilant while guiding CHANDLER, one of our Navy ' s deepest draft combatant ships, through some of the most confined and hazardous water on the globe. From the Straits of San Bernardino, Malacca, Hormuz, and Wetar to the inland waters of Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, our navigators plied the seas of the world day and night on a most remarkable voyage. CHANDLER ' s deployment in support of our nation ' s military and diplomatic priorities was lauded at the high- est levels of the State Department and the Navy. Your performance as American bluejackets aboard this fine war- ship in faraway places was complemented nicely by your equally flawless performance on liberty ashore. The pride reflected in your performance was documented by complimentary messages from the Chief of Naval Operations, Commander in Chief Pacific, Commander Middle East Force, CTF Seventy-Five, as well as from our Embassies in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Indonesia. Australia, and Fiji. CHANDLER has indeed established and maintained an enviable reputation as a crew who thrives on chal- lenges, works together ashore and afloat, and exudes obvious pride in our every endeavor. In sum, you deployed combat ready and with consummate class! As this closes out what is my last deployment in CHANDLER. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank each of you for your high standard of performance, your loyalty, and your support. I am proud to have been your Commanding Officer and shipmate. R. J. NATTER

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FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ROBERT E. SMITH Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Smith, United States Navy, was born in New York City, on 14 October 1950. He was graduated from Dartmouth College and commissioned an Ensign in June 1972. After commission- ing, Lieutenant Commander Smith was assigned as First Division Officer and Navigator in USS MARS (AFS 1) ho- meported in Sasebo. Japan. He was next assigned as an instructor and assistant Academic Director at the Sur- face Warfare Officer ' s School Command Detachment in Coronado. California. Following completion of Depart- ment Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, Lieutenant Commander Smith served as Weapons Officer in USS DOWNES (FF1070) and then as Combat Systems Officer on the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven- teen. His next assignment was in Washington. D.C. where he served as Aide and Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel and Training) from August 1982 to January 1985. Lieutenant Commander Smith ' s personal decora- tions include the Meritorious Service Medal. Navy Com- mendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various unit awards. Lieutenant Commander Smith is married to the form- er Susan Shadel of West Caldwell, New Jersey. They ha ve two children Tyler and Kevin.