Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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It wasn ' t the first trip outside the San Diego Har- bor, but for many it was the first trip out heading for the Deep Western Pacific. As the men watched the pier fade into the haze, thoughts began to turn to what lies ahead.

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Departing March 1st began with a very dark and rainy morning. The USS DENVER pulled away from the pier and began WestPac ' 79. Some felt a flutter of excitement, others adventure and some undoubted- ly felt a sigh of relief as San Diego harbor faded behind. For many, parti- cularly the married, it marked the beginnings of a long family separa- tion, a familiar facet of Navy life. It seemed an eternity of agony and sorrow watching their loved ones on the pier fade from their view. But without that last desperate moment, the overwhelming joy and excitement of reunion could have never been felt. The loneliness of separation will disappear within seconds though, after the first embrace back on the pier in San Diego. For the married and single alike the cruise of ' 79 would last 205 days. For the married a big welcome home, and happy smile would await. For the bachelors. . .well a friend- ly grin and welcome to McDonalds would do . SAN DIEGO. CA. 1 March 1979

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UNREP AT SEA 8 March 1979 A week had already passed and things were beginning to settle in (visions of hula girls for example) , when on the eighth day an Underway Replenish- ment, or UNREP was scheduled. UNREPS are delicate operations involving skill and coordination. UNREP ships send the recipients needed supplies, be it bacon and eggs or fuel and bolts. This UNREP was the first all hands evolution for the cruise. Outside, the first crew, already well trained in their assigned jobs, manned their stations donned in life jackets and helmets. Inside, the remainder of the crew receives their briefing on what the day ' s events will hold for them.