Concord (AFS 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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O.W. WILL, III CAPTAIN, US NAVY Commanding Officer Captain Otto W. Will, III was born inMetuchen, New Jersey on May 30, 1931. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned in June 1953. Captain Will served on his first ship, the destroyer USS HUNT (DD-674) as First Lieutenant. In 1955, he went to the minesweeper USS RUFF (MSC-(0)-54) as Executive Officer. In 1957 Captain Will completed six months of instruction at the U.S. Naval CIC School at Glynco, Georgia, then reported on board the heavy cruiser USS MACON (CA-132). He served on MACON as CIC Officer and REGULUS I Control Officer. Upon rotating ashore for the first time in 1959, he served in the Command Department at the U.S. Naval Academy. Captain Will was an instructor of midshipmen in naval operations recitations and drills, with responsibility for programs that utilized the YP training craft. Returning to sea duty in 1962, Captain Will went to the Staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT. On that staff, he served as Chief Staff Officer and Operations Officer. Thereafter he served as Executive Officer of the destroyer USS FURSE (DD-882). In 1965, Captain Will reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel where he was Head, Officer Schools Placement Section. Then in 1967 he attended the Naval War College, School of Naval Command and Staff. From that period, he received a Master of Science degree in International Relations from George Washington University. Captain Will returned to sea duty in 1968 first as Executive Officer, USS BELKNAP (DLG-26) then in early 1970 he took command of the destroyer USS NEW (DD-818). In late 1971 Captain Will returned to Washington D.C. for a five year period in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations where he served in the several major staff offices which sequentially had cognizance for ship acquisition and ship modernization. His initial responsibility for service ships expanded to include amphibious ships until he became Head of Fleet Modernization Program Branch. Captain Will took command of CONCORD on 4 March 1977. Captain Will ' s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, plus service medals for China, National Defense with one star, Korean, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Vietnam, and the United Nations.

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N USS Concord (AFS-5) is a Combat Stores Ship. Mars Class. Her mission is to replenish other units of the fleet in order to enable them to stay at sea for an indefinite period of time. Her operating with fleet oilers and ammunition ships can provide virtually every item that might be required by a customer ship. She is a vital link in the supply of our forces afloat. A Minuteman on a blue field, surrounded by sixteen links of chain (in yellow) symbolizing the sixteen cities named Concord. The five yellow stars over the minuteman mark the five ships named Concord that have served the Navy. She was constructed by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego. The keel was laid 26 March 1966. ..launched 17 December 1966. ..commissioned 27 November 1968. Concord was designed for a maximum propulsion of 22,000 horsepower on one shaft from a set of Delavel cross compound turbines. Concord has a large six-bladed propeller. Her firerooms contain three modern boilers, each of which is capable of producing 86,000 pounds of steam per hour at 600 psi. The ship ' s evaporators can make 32,000 gallons of fresh water per day. Three 1,500 KW steam turbine generators supply power for lighting, cooking and special electronic and weapons systems. All living and berthing spaces, many work spaces and offices are air-conditioned to improve the comfort and efficiency of the crew. Two UH-46 heavy logistic support helicopters, operated by six pilots and twenty-three enlisted personnel, are aboard during deployment. Approximately 26,000 different items are carried in Concord ' s five holds. The vessel was designed to carry one-half to two-thirds of the provisions previously transported by the Store Ship (AF), about the same amount of general cargo as the Stores Issue Ship (AKS) as well as a number of aviation supplies and spare parts. The majority of stores are kept in the five holds onboard... one refrigerated and four for dry provisions and technical stores. Ultra-fast cargo elevators, built-in package and pallet conveyors are used to move cargo from the holds to the cargo handling areas on deck where forklift trucks take over. Concord can operate ten replenishment stations and transfer cargo to two ships alongside at one time while steaming between 12 and 20 knots. The ship is equipped with automatic tensioning devices which keep a constant tension on the high line over which goods are transferred. Each of the helicopters, used in vertical replenishment, can transfer a load of 2 12 tons at a time.

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This collection of photographs aptly illustrates the multitude of duties of Captain WILL. From left to right he presents an advancement award, explains a replenishment operation at sea to a visiting Israeli contingent; discusses shiphandling with an OOD; escorts Italian officers on a tour of the ship: makes introductions on the Quarterdeck (lower left); and greets the Commodore upon an early morning visit. Lower right photograph shows what it takes to be prepared for sideboy duties.