Delta (AR 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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in is 'la ik- fa k, YB 5 H3- . 4 Lg-5 nk- .l, 'wa' Ugg FEET' use 42.4. E ' 'SWA L nf-F ,n , . 1 L pg 'lf i V. ..- f'a nf , CAPTAIINVS ME SSAGE The purpose of this book is to provide each member of DELTA a permanent reminder of the 1967 cruise. A ship on a WestPac deployment is a community in which fellowship flour- ishes. We have worked together and played together. Each of us, thumbing through this book in a year, five years, or twenty years, will spot a face and fondly recall to mind the ship- mate who helped accomplish a difficult repair job, win a division bowling match, or shared the fun of a liberty in one of the ports, Companionship is a precious commodity and ship- board life breeds many cherished friendships - one of the greatest assets of Navy life, This book will have served its purpose if it helps keep alive in our memories a few such friendly associations. f In addition to recalling shipmates to mind, I also know that this book will remind you of a period in your life when you many times experienced the personal satisfaction of pro- fessional achievement by doing your job. All of us who served in DELTA during this cruise may justly share that incomparable sense of accomplishment achieved as we shipmates worked together to do our jobs and do them well. R, W, BELT, JR, Captain, U,S, Navy Commanding Officer

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SI-IIP'S HISTGRY While in the Western Pacific the DELTA not only served the fleet, but acted as-a good will ambassador for the United States in Hong Kong and Moji, Japan, with OU'BS'Canding success, With her tour completed, DELTA returned to Long Beach for a long awaited Overhaul. Upon completion of her yard period, the DELTA again became the work horse of the fleet by rendering her time and talents in repairing units of the fleet homeported in Long Beach, 0n 1 July, 1965, the homeport of DELTA was officially changed to Alameda, California, and on 22 July, 1965, DELTA deployed again to the Western Pacific, providing repair services to ships of the U,S, Seventh Fleet in such ports shiung, Taiwan. DELTA arrived at her new homeport on 15 March, 1966, and has flown the flag of Commander Service Squadron Seven while serving the repair needs of the U,S, First as Yokosuka, Subic Bay, Manila, and Kao- Fleet. DELTA remained in her new homeport from March, 1966, to January, 1967, providing repair services to units in the San Francisco Bay Area. On 19 January, 1967, she began another seven months deployment to the Western Pacific. The Viet Nam conflict had increased in scope and intensity from the previous year and DELTA made her first stop in Subic Bay to service the many ships that had been added to the Seventh Fleet. Her next repair ports were Sasebo and Kaohsiung, spending five weeks and two months respectively in each port. With the end of the cruise in July, she made a much needed rest stop in Hong Kong, giving her crew a rest from the hectic months of hard work. On 21 August, DELTA returned to Pier 2, Alameda Naval Air Station. Where and when DELTA again will sail is unknown. But her grey hull that contain so many shops and men and equipment will do her best to help the rest, in keeping with her motto of DILIGENCE, DEPENDABILITY, and DEXTERITY, . 9 J , a, 2 , , if-' Q X h'-gegf: I .X 19. tj X 9,

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ooMMANDiNo. oFmcER CAPTAIN R. W. BELT, JR., USN Captain Richard Wheeler Belt, Jr., was born 22 February, 192521, in Norborne, Missouri. Upon completion of high school, he entered the U, S, Naval Academy, graduating in 1942. He is married to the former Regis L. Nelson of Lebanon, New Hampshire. The Belts have three children, ranging from 2525 to 10 years old. A Captain Belt came to DELTA from the U, S, Naval Mission to Brazil and assumed command on 6 August 1966.