Detroit (AOE 4) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 120 of the 1981 volume:

i ? niiiiwwiim MED CRUISE 1981 USS DETROIT AOE-4 COMMANDING OFHCB? CAPTAIN JOHN F. CALHOUN Ship ' s History 2 Commanding Officer 6 Executive Officer 8 Command Master Chief 9 Command Career Counseior 9 Underway 10 Cruise Chart 12 Chronology 14 Ship ' s Specifications .. 19 Underway Replenishment 20 Vertical Replenishment 28 Ceremonies 32 Detroit at Work, I 34 Ports 48 Detroit at Work, II 65 Detroit by Division 78 The Bad Guys 102 A Look at Leisure 104 Homecoming 108 Proud U.S. Navy vessels named DETROIT Five United States ships have proudly borne the name DETROIT, playing active roles in U.S. Naval History since 1813. From Lake Erie to Rio, from Pearl Harbor to the Indian Ocean, they have built a tradition of service that lives today in USS DETROIT (AOE ' 4). 1813-1824 The first DETROIT, a 19-gun brig of 400 tons, was first a British ship built at Maiden (now Amherstburg), Canada in 1813. She was captured by Commodore Perry ' s forces at the Battle of Lake Erie that September, but was so badly damaged she had to be towed to Put-in-Bay, Ohio. She remained out of service until she was sold to commercial trading interests in 1824. 1869 The second DETROIT had a very brief career. On 15 May 1869 USS CANANDAIGUA was renamed DE- TROIT. 10 August of the same year, the name was changed back to CANANDAIGUA. 1893-1905 The third DETROIT, a cruiser, was commissioned in 1893 and had a longer and more colorful career than her predecessors. She first steamed to Rio de Janeiro to protect American citizens during a period of civil unrest, then deployed to Asia for several years before the 1898 Spanish-American War. During that conflict she captured the Spanish steamer CATALINA, then maintained a Caribbean patrol until she returned to Boston, where she was placed out of commission on 1 August 1905. 1923-1946 The fourth DETROIT, commissioned in 1923, was a light cruiser of 7,050 tons. She served on lifeguard duty for the Army Air Corps around-the-world flight in 1924, then served as flagship for cruiser and destroyer divisions in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets until 1941. She was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack, but managed to get underway and set up an antiaircraft fire, accounting for several enemy planes. As signed to convoy escort duty during most of the next year, she once carried home 22 tons of gold and silver from a submarine which had escaped the falling Philippines. She helped guard the Aleutian Islands, bombarded Japanese installations in the Kuriles Islands, and served as flagship for carrier supply ships off Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As one of the few ships to survive the opening day of the war at Pearl Harbor, she was among the first to enter Tokyo Bay for the surrender ceremonies on 2 September 1945. She was decommissioned four months later after having carried thousands of troops home. DETROIT again deployed to the Mediterranean on 1 December 1972, returning to Newport in July of the following year. Fiscal constraints and shore establishment realignments led to DETROIT ' S homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia in January 1974. She sailed from Norfolk 14 July 1974 to begin her third Mediterranean cruise in support of Sixth Fleet operations. In addition to her normal taskings she participated in contingency operations related to the Cyprus crisis, completing this voyage in December. 1970-1981 USS DETROIT (AOE-4), the fifth ship of the fleet to bear the name, is the fourth SACRAMENTO Class Fast Combat Support Ship. Her mission is to provide rapid, simultaneous, one-stop underway replenishment of petroleum products, ammunition, provisions, and general stores to carrier task forces at sea. DETROIT is equipped with the latest and most sophisticated types of cargo handling equipment. Standard Tension Replenishment Alongside Method (STREAM) enables the ship to effect delivery of large quantities of all types of cargo from fifteen stations while steaming at high speeds. She carries two Boeing Vertol UH-46-D Sea Knight helicopters which are capable of transferring up to one hundred tons of cargo per hour. DETROIT was built at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard , Bremerton, Washington. She was commissioned 23 March 1970. After her initial shakedown cruise, DETROIT departed Bremerton for her assigned homeport of Newport, Rhode Island, rounding the Horn of South America enroute. Shortly thereafter, DETROIT deployed for six months of extended operations with the U. S. Sixth Fleet, returning to Newport in December 1971. DETROIT was then tasked with providing support for U. S. and NATO fleet units during various Atlantic operations ranging from the Arctic Circle to the Cape of Good Hope. DETROIT commenced her fourth Mediterranean deployment on 19 August 1975 manned by a crew of nearly 600 officers and enlisted men. She completed over 200 replenishments before returning to Norfolk on 28 January 1976. On 13 July 1976, DETROIT sailed north to commence a year-long overhaul at the Bath Iron Works in Maine. A NATO SEASPARROW Missile System and new communications capabilities were added prior to her return in July of 1977. Detroit ' s fifth Mediterranean deployment, complet- ed on 26 October 1978, set many records for future crews to match. Through 232 replenishments, her motto was proven true — SUPERARE OPTIMUM ... To Surpass the Finest. After another five-month Med deployment in 1979, DETROIT arrived back in Norfolk for a short six-month turn around in preparation for her seventh Med cruise, commencing on 14 July 1980. A Suez Canal transit followed National Week exercises, and the new routine became support of a Seventh Fleet Indian Ocean Battle Group near the Persian Gulf. The month-and-a-half stay in the Indian Ocean was a highly professional display of Fast Combat Support capabilities of AOE ' s in general, and DETROIT in particular. Returning through Suez, DETROIT proceeded to service Sixth Fleet units prior to visiting Lisbon, Portugal in late November to onload old ammunition and mines for transfer back home. DETROIT returned to Norfolk on 11 December 1980. In the spring of 1981, DETROIT participated in a READEX exercise in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. As the sole support ship present, she conducted over 75 replenishments from 16 February to 18 March, in a workup for the 25 June cruise featured in this book. Keel Uying, 29 November 1966. A0E4 on Christening Day, 21 June 1969. USS Detroit (AOE-4] The commissioning of USS Detroit (AOE-4) was the culmination of over three years of intensive effort by the many crafts found at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Some small idea of the steps between keel laying and commis- sioning is provided in the pictorial series presented on these pages. (An article on the commissioning of A0E4 will be found on page 21 of the NAVSHIPS Technical Afews dated July 1970.) USS Detroit (AOE-4) ready for commissioning, 28 March 1970. A0E4 70-percent completed, 17 July 1969. NavShips Tech News From the September 1970 issue of Naval Ships Systems Technical News I From Keel Laying to Commissioning ; ' ' Au ji w £ venty percent completed, 11 April 1968. Bridge section in transit, February 1969. Forty percent completed, 12 November 1968. USS Detroit (AOE-4) on sea trials, June 1970. ■ ■ ' ' ' ii ' ti Captain J. F. Calhoun Captain John F. Calhoun, a native of Springfield, Missouri, attended college at Missouri School of Mines before entering the Flight Training Program as a Naval Cadet in 1957. He received his commission in November 1958, and reported to Patrol Squadron 46, flying the P-5 and P-2 aircraft. Captain Calhoun ' s subsequent assignments included a tour as a flight instructor in Patrol Squadron 31, attendance at the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School, and duty onboard USS CURRITUCK (AV-7). In June of 1967, Captain Calhoun completed jet transition training at Kingsville, Texas and reported to Attack Squadron 125 for replacement pilot training in the A-4 aircraft. At the completion of his training, he joined Attack Squadron 55 and completed two WEST PAC deployments onboard USS HANCOCK (CVA ' 19). In May of 1970, Captain Calhoun reported to Attack Squadron 174 and served as Safety Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Executive Officer prior to assuming command of Attack Squadron 12 onboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) in October 1973. From March 1975 until April 1977, Captain Calhoun was assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the A-7 Program Coordinator. Captain Calhoun was the Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 174, the east coast A-7 Fleet Readiness Squadron, from July 1977 until October 1978. From March 1979 until November 1980, Captain Calhoun was Executive Officer of USS INDEPENDENCE (CV- 62). Prior to assuming command of USS DETROIT (AOE-4) in July 1981, Captain Calhoun attended the Chief of Naval Operation ' s Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness course at Ship Material Readiness Group Naval Reactor Facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Captain Calhoun has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and various campaign medals. Captain Calhoun resides in Norfolk, Virginia with his wife, the former Claudia Schimmel of Pensacola, Florida, and their daughter Catherine. CDR Thomas W. Wright Executive Officer LCDR John E. O ' Neil, JR Executive Officer m ' ' Command Master Chief ETCM Danny L. Gardner Command Career Counselor NCC Q. J. Wasden Underway, shift colors NORFOLK, JUNE 25 - A sailor faces an emotional dilemma when his ship weighs anchor, a dilemma as old as seafaring. How does he reconcile the sadness and loss at leaving his loved ones behind with the excitement . nd mystery of promised adventure on exotic shores? He doesn ' t. He just takes refuge from his feelings in the crisp professional routine of getting underway. He finds the adventure and the mystery, but four months and 150 unreps from now, he ' ll know there ' s no place like home. ET3 Gordon Alfonso phon bridge during special sea detail. folks on the jrid anchor SM2 Mike McGinnis flashes a goodbye as DETROIT heads for the Mediterranean. 10 FTMSN L. Paul McNair ' s family was one SN Mark Landers works while others of many who came to Pier 3 June 25 to crowd the edge of the flight deck for a last see their loved ones off. look at family and friends. RAPALLO TouuohJ ,RCTA . tit0 ta, Spain - July 5, 6 Aagusta Bay, Sicily - July 15, 16 Naples, Itah l y 18 to 21 Toulon, FrancPiyuly 29 to lust 11 Augusta Bay, Sicily - August 16, 17 Augusta Bay, Sicily - August 20, 21 Gaeta, Italy - August 25 Rapallo, Italy - August 27 to September 2 ni pL£s ' aucu ' Sta bay y . I souii f?rty ecr LiRVA Kvrr Augusta Bay, Sicily - September 2 to 15 La IVIaddalena, Sardinia - September 17 San Remo, Italy - September 18 to 21 Augusta Bay, Sicily - September 25, 26 Souda Bay, Crete - October 4 Augusta Bay, Sicily - October ' 22, 23 Rota, Spain - October 26 to 29 Chronology The following chronology is intended to show some of the highlights, and a lot of the routine, of DETROIT ' S 81 Med cruise. The information contained herein has been culled from old Plans of the Day. Due to the flexible nature of Fast Combat Support, the Plan of the Day sometimes wasn ' t followed, so where memory has failed inaccuracies may have occurred. Additionally, not all events are recorded, in fact, many things, medical lectures for example, may have happened a dozen times, but are only mentioned once or twice. JUNE 24: A message was received from Captain J. F. Watson, COM- SERVRON TWO - USS DE- TROIT is the finest ship in the Atlantic Fleet. We make DETROIT work by pulling together and taking good care of her people and machinery. DETROIT can meet any challenge any time any place. You know that and so do I. I have absolute full faith and confidence in you. You ' re the best. Thursday, you depart Norfolk on a scheduled four month deploy- ment to the Mediterranean. Every time you close up Romeo, remember that without ships like DETROIT, our Navy would be a coastal defense force. Be proud and professional and bring DETROIT home just as she is today. For the engineers, tomorrow you light the eternal flame. God speed, fair winds and following seas. SK3 Pullig and GMG3 Wolf watch a bombing run from the flight deck. JUNE 25: Underway, Captain F. J. Metz commanding. DETROIT begins Atlantic transit with USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS (CO 27), USS DEYO (DD 989), AND USS MACDONOUGH (DDG 39). JUNE 27: First replenishment of the transient group. JUNE 28: Drone Launch for missile exercise. Well done to LT Dan Hanson and the crew of HC-6 ' s HW 22 helicopter for a fine job in avoiding a potential loss of the air craft when flight controls jammed during a drone recovery. Petty Officer Second Class Phillip Jones found and corrected the problem, enabling the aircraft to return to DETROIT safely. EMCS Dangell and MM1 Maniscaico work on 3M. JUNE 29: First Quick Draw Gun- nery Exercise — How quickly can 44 men in two gunnery crews man their stations at battle readiness and fire six rounds in rapid succession? They averaged between three and four minutes. Weapons personnel manned the key stations, with Deck Department personnel filling in the crews. First Night Flight Quarters. Advance all clocks one hour at 0100. The MARS station is opera- tional. CW03 Peebles confers with LCDR Peters. JULY 1: BM2 Shannon and BM2 Billingslea respond to a fire drill in less than 45 seconds, having the situation under control before the Fire Party arrives, even though their response time was under four minutes. Shots continue in Sick Bay to immunize the crew in preparation for going ashore in Europe. Advance all clocks one hour at 0100. JULY 2:Basic Engineering Casualty Control Exercises (BECCEs). Quick Firing Exercise. Advance all clocks one hour at 0100. Meeting to organize Ship ' s Band held in the Library. JULY 3: Critique 3M Inspection. DC Team Training Meeting. General Quarters. Advance all clocks one hour at 0100. JULY 4: Independence Day! Flight Deck Frolics. JUL Y 5: Moor Naval Station, Rota, Spain. Fleet freight transfer, helo inspection. Advance all clocks one hour at 0100. JULY 6: Underway. Ammunition VERTREP with Naval Station. Replenish JOSEPHUS DANIELS and CONNOLE. Transit the Straits of Gibraltar. JULY 7: First independent steam- ing. Captain ' s Call for Third Class Petty Officers. The following message received from Commander Cruiser Des- troyer Group Eight, the Transit Commander: As we complete our short but busy CONUS-MED transit, I want to congratulate you for your absolutely superb perfor- mance and support throughout every evolution in which DE- TROIT was involved (which was virtually all). The ship performed with crispness and professionalism which speaks highly of the MLSF and furthers the fine reputation of DETROIT. Continued good sailing and God speed. Rear Admiral Berry. JULY 9: Moor NATO Fuel Pier, Augusta Bay, Sicily. Helos fly to Sigonella for maintenance. Prospective Commanding Of- ficer, Captain J. F. Calhoun, reports on board. Beer on the Pier. JUL Y 10: Awards ceremony on the flight deck. Underway. JULY Ih CONSOL ops (consolidation of supplies) with SYLVANIA in preparation for the first MED LOGREP (monthly replenishment of the battle group). Vice Admiral Rowden, Com- mander Sixth Fleet, and Com- modore Tolg, CTF-63, come on board. SN Oscar Merlo named Sailor of the Month. JULY 12: UNREP - JOSEPHUS DANIELS, O ' BANNON, CON- NOLLE and TALBOT alongside. VERTREP of ammo. Well done from Commander, Service Group Two for the greatest improvement in overall retention of all the ships in the group. Congratulations to DE- TROIT ' S three new Chief Petty Officers: NCC Wasden, BMC Bernardo, and ETC Annis. JULY 14: VERTREP of ammo with MOUNT BAKER. JUL Y 15: In port Augusta Bay. Change of Command ceremony on the Flight Deck. Picnic on the pier. JUL Y 17: Underway for Naples, Italy. Transit the Straits of Messina. JUL Y 18: Anchor, Naples, Italy. Rough water limits liberty. JULY 19: Holiday routine. Alert received at 1158 that a small boat was foundering in rough water near the island of Capri. DETROIT ' S H-46 HW-22 helicopter was airborne at 1214 for search and rescue. Assistance had all ready been rendered, but the performance of the air crew, flight deck crew, fire party, boat crew, communications personnel, watch standers, medical and rescue swim- mers was outstanding. JULY 21: Underway to replenish the Forrestal Battle Group. JULY 23: General Quarters for Damage Control Training. JULY 24: Replenish Forrestal and escorts. JULY 25: General Quarters. Gun Shoot. JULY 27: Forrestal refueling and ammo upload. JULY 29: Well done to J Division, especially MMl Maniscalco, for their outstanding efforts in main- taining our CONREP capability during the battle group replenish- ment despite the loss of both High Pressure Air Compressors. AUGUST 2: DETROIT emerged victorious in two Softball games against USS MOUNT BAKER, winning 12-11 in the first and 16-14 in the second. Special thanks to Dr. Fox for coaching the team to victory, and to the Executive Officer and QMl Ratcliff for volunteering to um- pire. AUGUST 4: Memorial service held at 0900 in the Crew ' s Lounge for Petty Officer Farns- worth of the Supply Department, who died of heart and lung failure due to a rare viral disease in a U. S. Air Force hospital in Germany on 2 August. AUGUST 5: YN3 Bright of the Captain ' s Office named Sailor of the Month. AUGUST 8: Congratulations to MMl Laws and MM2 Madrid who successfully passed a l i hour Oral Board for MMOW conducted by the Commanding Officer, Chief Engineer, MPA, and MMCS Roberts. BM3 Michael performs maintenance on a rig. They wrote a new page in the unrep tech manual with their innovative use of nitrogen to replace high pressure air. BZ to the men of J Division who man DETROIT ' S Main Battery. In port Toulon, France for maintenance availability. Congratulations to BTC McGaughey and BT2 Latham for successfully passing a rigorous l i hour BTOW Oral Board conducted by the Commanding Officer, Chief Engineer, MPA, MMCS Roberts, and BTCS Case. JULY 30: BT3 Prescott and MM3 Preston named first DCPO of the Month winners for raising the fire fighting gear integrity of the 1 Machinery Room 100%. These men were most impres- sive in answering questions in all areas of knowledge concerning Detroit ' s engineering plant. This is the end product of a superlative job of instruction and daily training conducted by MMCS Roberts. Well done. AUGUST 9: In port ammunition transfer with USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS. Replenishment detail stationed for transfer. Well done to Deck, Weapons, and the men of the Rig Teams and working parties involved for conducting the evolu- tion safely and so efficiently that they finished six hours ahead of schedule. AUGUST 11: Underway. AUGUST 12: CONSOL OPS for the monthly LOGREP of the FORRESTAL Battle Group. Cargo transfer with USNS Sirius via Burton Rigs and missile transfer with USS MOUNT BAKER. AUGUST 13: Battle Group replen- ishment. DANIELS to port, CARON to starboard, VERTREP with PAUL. AUGUST 14: CONSOL OPS in- cluding receiving approximately one million gallons of fuel from the CALOOSAHATCHEE and VER- TREP of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) to the SYLVANIA. The following message was received from the Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Eight — Your safe and expeditious comple- tion of (Toulon, France missile exchange with USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS) conducted under unique conditions was both spirited and BT3 Yancey professional. Particularly appreciated was DETROIT ' S readiness for transfer upon arrival and sustained attention to details of safety and getting the job done. WELL DONE! AUGUST 15: General Quarters, Surface Gunnery Exercise. AUGUST 16: Yixst replenishment of the Nimitz Battle Group. NIMITZ BIDDLE, O ' BANNON, CARON and PAUL alongside, VERTREP AINSWORTH, TALBOT CON- NOLE, and PRATT. SH3 Key In port Augusta Bay for fuel, cargo and the onload of a VC-6 drone detachment. AUGUST 17: Underway. COM- SIXTHFLT, Vice Admiral Rowden, arrives by helo for a brief visit. AUGUST 18: Drone launch in support of Open Ocean Missile Exercise. AUGUST 19:Drone launch contin- ues. Flight Quarters for Staff transfer. Night replenishment of the Forrestal Battle Group. During preparations for the missile exercise, two Libyan aircraft fired missiles at two F-14 Tomcat aircraft. The Tomcats were in international airspace at the time and returned fire, shooting down both Libyan aircraft. There was no damage to the U. S. Navy aircraft from the NIMITZ. The response from all DETROIT ' S crew in setting General Quarters, material condi- tion Zebra, getting all four boilers on the line and preparing all weapons and control stations was outstanding. Training may not always be exciting but it paid off in making DETROIT ready when necessary. DETROIT was assigned to provide Fast Combat Support for the battle groups for this period because we have what it takes to get the job done. Well done to all. AUGUST 20: Replenish CON- NOLE, PAUL, and BIDDLE. In port, Augusta Bay. Beer on the Pier. AUGUST 21: Underway. Message received from Vice Admiral William H. Rowden, Commander Sixth Fleet: Since early on 18 August you all have been engaged in one of the most significant operations in terms of national interest and national prestige to the United States in recent years. You have been exposed to danger and to the threat of weapons. You have all operated under the direct scrutiny of the entire national command structure and within the confines of a well thought out but difficult to execute set of rules of engagement. Throughout all this each and every one of you has performed superbly in the proper and professional execution of your assigned duties. Our objective was to demon- strate clearly and unmistakeably that the U. S. Navy can and will operate in International waters in accordance with the time honored law and rules of the sea. We have done this. In so doing we have been challenged by the armed forces of Libya. Their challenge was frequent and persistent. You responded resolutely and with dignity and resolve. We drew blood. This occurred when several of our shipmates had been fired upon and they themselves placed at risk and in very real personal danger. They responded in a proper and profes- sional manner. We need not take pride in the fact that blood was drawn. We have every right to take pride in the fact that our training, discipline, and execution minimized the violence but clearly demonstrat- ed our resolve. I have been personally in- volved in this operation for the past two days with you. Your perfor- mance has been outstanding. You merit the admiration and apprecia- tion of our navy and nation which you have so clearly earned. Well done. Rowden. AUGUST 24: CONSOL with Sealjft China Sea. AUGUST 25: Brief stop in Gaeta for in-port replenishment of USS PUGET SOUND. SA Potter, SH3 Maxwell, and SN Andrews AUGUST 26: Anchor, Rapallo, Italy. Commanding Officer ' s per- sonnel inspection. Liberty call. SEPTEMBER 2: Underway. SEPTEMBER 3: Small arms train- ing, General Quarters for Damage Control Training, BECCEs. SEPTEMBER 5: Transit the Straits of Messina. SEPTEMBER 6: Replenish NIMITZ, PERRY, CONSOL with SYLVANIA and SIRIUS. SEPTEMBER 7: UNREP CON- NOLE, PAUL, BIGELOW, VOCE, DAVIS and SELLERS. Transit Straits of Messina. SEPTEMBER 8: Fast Combat Sup- port to TEXAS, MISSISSIPPI, BEARY, and KING. SEPTEMBER 10: Flight Quarters. Missile exercise. P03 rating exams. RADM Parker, COMSERVGRU TWO comes on board. DETROIT is his flagship for his two day visit. Ensign Smith SEPTEMBER 11: UNREP NIMITZ, KING, BIDDLE, PERRY. SEPTEMBER 12: Transit Straits of Messina. COMSERVGRU TWO departs. Moor NATO Fuel Pier, Augusta Bay, Sicily. Beer on the Pier. SEPTEMBER 15: P02 Rating SEPTEMBER 16: Underway. Replenish five NATO ships. SEPTEMBER 17: Moor La Mad- dalena, Sardinia for in port refuel- ing of ORION. Refueling accom- plished with slack wire fueling rig due to Mediterranean mooring of ORION. SEPTEMBER 18: Anchor, San Remo, Italy. Field day. Liberty Call. SEPTEMBER 20: The following message received from Commander, Submarine Refit Training Group, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy — Your prompt response in meeting bunkering requirements in La Maddalena was greatly appreciated. DETROIT ship handling skills in tight Med moor at Stefano berth were most impressive. Vertrep The assistance rendered in supplementing the SIRIUS provi- sioning and GSK loadout on short notice was also smartly executed. SEPTEMBER 21: Underway. RDVU RECOVERY, General Quarters. SEPTEMBER 23: Heat stress and hearing conservation medical lecture in the crew ' s lounge. Electrical safety lecture in the library. Striker board. Fire doctrine lecture in the ward- room. SEPTEMBER 25: Fuel CONSOL with USNS Wacamaw. Transit Straits of Messina. In port Augusta Bay. SEPTEMBER 26: Field Day. Flight Quarters. Beer on the Pier. SEPTEMBER 27: Underway. SEPTEMBER 28: Replenish NIMITZ, OLIVER HAZZARD PERRY, NATO escorts. SEPTEMBER 29. ' Replenish TEXAS, BIDDLE, Italian destroyers. OCTOBER 1: UNREP CONNOLE, PAUL. OCTOBER 4: Moor Souda Bay, Crete NATO refueling depot. Un- derway for the Aegean Sea. OCTOBER 5: Replenish PERRY, BEARY. OCTOBER 6: Lifeboat crew train- ing. Refuel KING. Retard clocks one hour at 1900. OCTOBER 7: Scheduled to enter port in Augusta Bay. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat assassinated. OCTOBER 8: Note in the Plan of the Day — DETROIT will arrive at the location of the task force that is standing off Egypt about noon on Thursday (8 October). The FFV and stores that were staged in Augusta Bay are being picked up by SAN DIEGO and will be arriving late on 10 October. The general plan is to complete the scheduled LOGREP of. the Amphibious Group (in a different location). We can expect to refuel the SAIPAN after arrival and then provide Fast Combat Support as required (probably on very short notice). The MTT visit has been cancelled. CTF-63 expects to transfer to DETROIT from SAN DIEGO on 10 OCT and depart on 12 OCT. The impact of contingency operations on our long range schedule is unknown and it is impossible to make any projections or predictions. The word will be passed if the situation changes. OCTOBER 9 - OCTOBER 20: Contingency Operations. OCTOBER 13: During the last 24 hours when DETROIT was heavily engaged in CONSOL refueling operations, the forward automatic combustion control low pressure air compressor failed. A tiger team lead by MMCS Roberts and consist- ing of BTC McGaughey, ETC Annis and ADC Bridgeman comple- tely overhauled the compressor in one day. BZ to the attack team and to SK2 Alfredo and BT2 Goldsch- midt who tracked down the neces- sary parts. Cooperation and team- work keeps the fast in Fast Combat Support. Well done! Navy Birthday message from Secretary of the Navy John Lehman — Since our last birthday, the Navy-Marine Corps has continued in full measure to meet the chal- lenges of a troubled world. Never before in peacetime and seldom in war have such extraordinary efforts and sacrifices been demanded of all of us. We are currently working virtually at our limits. ' % ' The mess deck message board. FURTHER NOTICE HAS ARRIVED OUR MESSAGE: AT LAST, WE RE HOMEWARD BOUND Today, we are truly the cutting -dge of National Defense and foreign policy. Your professional response to these pressing requir- ements has been nothing less than heroic, a fact increasingly appreciat- ed by a grateful nation. America, in renewing itself, now realizes the absolutely vital role that seapower will play in our nation ' s future. You of the Navy-Marine Corps team are that seapower. We are now witnessing a much-increased and well-deserved acknowledgement of the p. jstige of our military professionals, clear indication of a national awareness that freedom can be maintained only by remaining strong, proud, and vigilant. And a special well done to QM3 Morales, whose outstanding response as helmsman was a major factor in DETROIT ' S avoiding collision. As of today, since the cruise began 25 June, USS DETROIT has steamed 17,347.85 miles, replenished 124 ships by CONREP plus two alongside piers, 57 ships replenished by VERTREP, pumped 19,009,291 gallons of fuel to ships alongside, transferred 1103 pallets of stores by CONREP, 652 pallets of ammo by CONREP, 651 pallets of stores by VERTREP, 298 pallets of ammo by VERTREP, 1528 maintenance ac- tions done on aircraft by the HELO DET, 355,200 hours of watches stood by the crew, 1527 gallons of paint IC3 Smith and BTFA Kerwin. We must all ensure that we rertiain strong enough to resist Soviet intimidation, retain the ability to protect ourselves, and guarantee that the vital interests of our nation and of our allies are sustained worldwide. 1 am very proud of you and I deeply appreciate the immense contributions and sacrifices that each of you and your families are making. Your outstanding devotion ceAainly warrants the fullest respect and admiration. The greatest satis- factions are often derived from the greatest toil. Happy Birthday and best wishes to you all. John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy. OCTOBER 14: Well done to BMl Worm, BMl Korbal, and BMCM Boyette for accomplishing an emer- gency breakaway from USNS WACAMAW on 11 October under the n. - difficult circumstances and without . : personal or material casualties. used to cover 305,400 square feet of decks bulkheads overheads, 8,880,000 gallons of fresh water used by the boilers and crew, the port screw has made 9,764,657 revolu- tions, the starboard 9,763,872, DE- TROIT has used 4,250,412 gallons of fuel, medical has given 707 shots and seen 968 patients, 64,000 man hours have been invested in field days, the galley has served 113,220 meals to the crew. Radio has handled 16,701 messages, the Signal gang has handled 1042 messages by sem- aphore signal hoist flashing light, MARS radio has completed 762 calls home, and last but not least DETROIT has used 2,472,000 sheets of paper and 4320 pens and pencils. OCTOBER 16: The following message received from USS PAUL — Short fuse supply assist provid- ed 12 October greatly appreciated. Ability to provide every item requested exemplified DETROIT ' S ' Service to the Fleet ' approach. Once again, many thanks. OCTOBER 77; Yesterday afternoon the BTs and MMs on watch in the 2 Main Machinery Room demon- strated that they could react quickly and correctly to a potentially disasterous situation. FA Norman discovered a leak in the fuel oil service system which was spraying atomized fuel into the bilges. He immediately alerted thfe lower level watch to break out fire fighting equipment and then spread word of the leak. The watch section had fire fighting gear broken out and were spraying down the area with foam within a minute. Under MMC Male ' s direction, the plant was cross-connected, the boiler secured, and the fuel oil was pumped over the side. Your coolness and profes- sionalism during an emergency is a credit to you and DETROIT. Well done shipmates. OCTOBER 18: HW 19 developed a serious fuel leak while on the flight deck. Well done to AMS3 Nicho ls, the LSE, for promptly spotting the leak and signalling the pilot to shut down the engines. The fire party also rates a BZ for its quick response in manning the fire hoses. OCTOBER 20: Congratulations to Kevin Patrick O ' Conner, who was advanced to Machinist ' s Mate Third Class by the Commanding Officer as a result of sustained responsibility and outstanding performance over the past year. OCTOBER 21: CONSOL with USS SURIBACHI. Flight Quarters for VERTREP with USS KALAMAZOO. October 22: Moor, NATO Fuel Pier, Augusta Bay, Sicily. Whew! Beer on the Pier. OCTOBER 23: Welcome aboard to LCDR John O ' Neil, USN, who is reporting aboard from USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) as prospective Executive Officer. Underway for Rota, Spain. OCTOBER 24: Replenish AMER- ICA and PREBLE. Overhaul contract awarded to Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. OCTOBER 25: Refuel BEARY, TRIPPE, and KING. OCTOBER 26: In port Rota, Spain. OCTOBER 29: Underway for Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America. OCTOBER 30: Replenish MAC- DONOUGH, DEYO. General Quarters, Quick Draw gunnery exercise. Retard all clocks one hour at 1900. The First Classes turn the Mess Decks into the Seagoing Tiger ' s Restaurant and serve steak and lobster tails to the crew in celebra- tion of the successful completion of another Med cruise. NOVEMBER 1: Flight Quarters for Holy Helo. Chaplain Brown flies from ship to ship of the Transit Group to conduct services. Retard clocks one hour at 1900. NOVEMBER 1- Unscheduled, grad- ed Damage Control exercises. Retard all clocks one hour at 1900. NOVEMBER 4: Replenish MACDONOUGH and CON- NOLE. Captain ' s Personnel Inspec- tion and Awards Ceremony. NOVEMBER 5: Zone Inspection. Retard all clocks one hour at 1900. NOVEMBER 6: Request received from seagoing tug for MEDEVAC of patient with possible acute appendicitis. DETROIT, being the closest ship with medical facilities adequate to handle the emergency, steamed all day to achieve ren- devous. MEDEVAC accomplished under most difficult circumstances — very rough seas stirred up by a hurricane system. Well done to Medical, especially Dr. (LT) Balder- ston, HC-6, and all involved. Retard all clocks one hour at 1900. NOVEMBER 7: All night movies shown to help alleviate Channel Fever — the strange inability of many to sleep the night before pulling in. Retard all clocks one hour at 1900. NOVEMBER • Titivate ship. HC-6 flies home. All hands change into dress blues and man the rails. Moor Berth 32, Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia. Specifications AIRCRAFT - 2 Boeing Vertol UH46-D Sea Knight jet helicopters AIR CONDITIONERS — 3 90-ton capacity units AMMUNITION - In excess of 1800 tons ARMAMENT — 2 3 50 caliber rapid fire twin gun mounts. 1 NATO Seasparrow Missile System BARBER SHOP - 3 chairs BEAM - 107 feet, 41 2 inches BOATS — 2 26 ' motor whaleboats, 2 50 ' utility boats, 2 33 ' personnel boats CARGO — Storeroom: 72,290 cubic feet; Refrigeration: 27,900 cubic feet; Pyrotechnics: 3,210 cubic feet; Gas cylinders: 15,450 cubic feet; Lube oil: 11,980 cubic feet; Mail: 3,100 cubic feet; Security: 1,180 cubic feet CHRISTENED AND LAUNCHED - 21 June 1969 CRUISING RADIUS - 10,000 miles at 17 knots COMMISSIONED - 28 March 1970 CONSTRUCTED - Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington CRANES — 2 5-ton lift capacity, 1 15-ton lift capacity DISPLACEMENT (light) - 19,974 tons DISPLACEMENT (full load) - 52,386 tons DRAFT (full load - 38 feet, 51 2 inches EVAPORATOR OUTPUT — 80,000 gallons of fresh water every 24 hours GENERATOR CAPACITY - 6,000 kilowatts per hour, 1 1,000-kilowatt emergency unit HOME PORT - Norfolk, Virginia KEEL LAID - 29 November 1966 LAUNDRY — 2 100-pound capacity washers, 2 50-pound capacity dryers, 8 pressers, 1 collar cuffer press, 1 sleever, 1 shirt folding machine, 1 laundry marking machine LENGTH (overall) - 794 feet, 8 1 2 inches LIBRARY — 975 cloth-bound volumes, 650 paperback volumes LIQUID CARGO - 9,416,474 gallons LIQUID CARGO PUMPING — 37,750 gallons per minute capacity MEDICAL FACILITIES - 13 bed ward. Surgery theater, X-Ray laboratory, blood and chemistry laboratory PROPULSION PLANT — Twin high-pressure steam turbines, twin screws, 100,000 shaft horsepower (50,000 per shaft) at full power REPLENISHMENT — Fuel: 6 hose rigs, Ammunition Stores: 7 stations SHIP ' S REFRIGERATION - 2 150-ton units SUSTAINED SPEED - 26 knots TAILOR DRY CLEANING — 2 8-pound capacity dry cleaning machines, 1 spotting board, 1 sewing machine, 1 steam press 19 20 Unrep ft Underway replenishment enables the Navy to meet its global committments by operating for prolonged periods far from friendly shores. Underway replenishment has only become common in the last two decades. A precise and dangerous evolution, UNREP requires the complete coordination of deck, navigational, communications, and engineering personnel. With two ships steaming close abord, separated only by a narrow channel of water, connected by tensioned cables, there is little margin for error. Advanced equipment permits rapid, efficient refueling and cargo transfer, but teamwork and training make it happen. The typical evolution commences as the customer ship follows about a thousand yards astern. The get-ready instruction is the Romeo flag at the dip. The go-ahead is initiated by closing it up. The customer ship then moves alongside. As the first shot line is passed, Romeo is hauled down simultaneously by both ships. With the messenger in place, the principal connections for UNREP may then be rigged. DETROIT ' S J Division maintains the electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic equipment that is featured with the Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method. Eight port and five starboard stations are available, any six of which may be manned concurrently with the stationing of a flight crew on the helicopter platform. With a carrier alongside, four fuel stations can send a total of 16,000 gallons of Diesel or JP-5 fuel per minute from pumping rooms aft and forward. Top left: USS AMERICA makes her approach to port. Bottom left: A rig team stands by, then takes cover, as shot lines are passed. Below: Only a narrow channel of water separates ships during unrep. i:,jr- gations between the bridges c high-tension lines link and spcLv-i ' ored closely by both ' ■ sometimes iti uning helmsmen to make s per minute. I ' flag is at dip ten minutes before breakaway, in when disengagement begins. When the m, all connecting lines have been tiyon, satcrv has beeri the n deck, and emer ?!im|(|Hfc| avs have been d. The safe execution of nT S IRF.PS during is a tribute to the training and professionalism EROIT crew. Top left: It still takes men to make it work. Center left: Cotctiing a quick 40 while waiting on customers. Bottom left: The probe slides toward connection. Below: BM1 White. Bottom center: IC3 Smith checks communications. Right: BM1 Bernardo. Below right: BM2 Billingslea mokes fast a rig. For right: SN Maxwell and MMFN Readers. 24 25 Top: USS NIMITZ alongside. Above: Hooking up with USS BIDDLE. 26 Lett: Captain Calhoun and BM2 Farner observe operations trom the port bridge wing. Below: ENS Jennings has the con, LT Hutson has the deck. Center: BM3 Knott and SN Merlo control the tension on a rig. Bottom: SA Dickerson and BM3 Parsons. 27 28 Vertrep wt Top: The helos do their job so smoothly you forget there are people inside. Above: The crew has to perform regular, and frequent, maintenance on the birds. Left: Hooking up o load Is tricky business. 29 Left: ADAN Bothell does a required safety check. Below: Done for the day, the crew puts 19 in the barn. Right: AMS3 Ortiz catches up on his . . . studies. Below right: AD2 Jones is in the driver ' s seat. f 7 •- Ceremonies Right: The National Anthem Is played at the Change of Com- mand in Augusta Bay July 15. Commodore Tolg, Captain Metz, Rear Admiral Davis, Captain Cal- houn, and Commander Wright salute. Top center; MS2 John Roslen, FTM2 Alan Haggard, BM2 Jackie Plott, Captain Calhoun, and ETCM Gardner Left center: The chiefs gather for ADC Bridgeman ' s reenlistment. The Captain performed the cer- emony. Below: The oldest (Commodore Tolg) and youngest (SR Kohn) sailors on board cut the cake at the Navy Birthday celebration on the flight deck. They are joined by MSCM Rofanan and Copt. Calhoun. Top left: QM3 Hector J. Morales receives the Navy Achievement Medal. if- ' Above: The crev musters on the flight deck. Right: LCDR E. T. Reed, the Supply Officer, and Captain Metz. 32 Above: Captain Calhoun relieves Captain Metz. Left: Rear Admiral Davis met the crew after the Change of Command ceremony. 33 ft 34 Deck m 35 :¥ The Power That Preserves Left: SN Merlo Below: Deck Gothic - SN Blair, SN O ' Connor, FN Gray Bottom rlfltit: SA Bublitz going over- board in Augusta Bay Far right: BM2 Pferdeort Right: SN Moody 36 37 r p ' Top: Putting the boat in the water, gently. Above: BM2 Shorter and BM1 White. Right: SN Landers totes a hose. . 38 Left: SN Leatherwood. Below: SA Hale has the Big Eyes. Bottom: SN Williams mans the incinera- tof room. 39 40 Detroit snipes ' can do ' FA Guy Bechtel and BT2 William Latham stand watch on Fire Alley. BTC Richard McGaughey and MMCS David Roberts keep a wary eye In Main Control. Right: EN3 Lawrence. Bottom: MMFN Blancaneaux in Fuel Control. un jthe shi| J ' « not my place to run |the ship f the horn I cart not blow, It ' i not my place to soy how far the ship ' s allowed to go. It ' s not my place to chart the course nor even toll the bell. But let the damn thing start to sink AND SEE WHO CATCHES HELL! i fM B ' W Kr HHF ' v In BBIH H B BIHx ' 42 A Gang 43 Repair Electrical 46 Top: IC3 Kkxick repairs ship ' s entertain- ' ment gear. ■ Left: EM3 Hallal. ,: Above: IC3 Smith and iC3 Zelesl l in the • i IC Shop. (o)K h( D©F Scenic Augusta Bay, Sicily was our most frequent stop during the cruise. The NATO Fuel Pier is there, where we onload fuel to pass on to other ships. Liberty is limited in Augusta Bay, but what liberty exists is unique. Beer on the Pier is what it ' s called, BOP for short, and beer on the pier is what it is. J Doesn ' t sound very exciting. ,Standing or sitting around the little t outbuilding at the head of the pier (there ' s nowhere else to go) drinking  beer and, sometimes, eating ham- ■ burgers, hotdogs, or shishkabobs. , Fortunately, considering we were there six times, there ' s more to it than that. You ' ve been at sea for a couple of weeks, getting up all hours to replenish a seemingly endless line of ships. All you have time to do is work, eat, and sleep. Do you know how good a cold brew can taste? BOP is a chance to talk to all the ' ' ' guys you don ' t see very often at sea. • Jt ' s an opportunity to get to know people a little better. You can find out about their wives, friends, kids and cars. Officer and enlisted can discuss the Super Bowl and Series. A few guys will throw a football or a Frisbee, laughing, enjoying the sun, while across the way sea stories are swapped and tall tales are told. A dozen boxes blare a dozen different kinds of music, each carving out a space which fills with fans. Some few find quiet spots to think and look at the view. During the day, Augusta Bay looks sort of like industrial Pittsburgh (no offense intended, Pittsburgers), lots of refineries, smokestacks and pipes, gray and sooty. When the sun starts to set, lights begin to blink on, first one, two, three, then, as detail is lost in the dark, hundreds. At night one refinery looks like a fairy castle, or a ship, depending on who you ask. Sometimes a refinery will burn off waste gas, looking like a torch held high in the air. Augusta Bay may not be the highlight of the cruise, but it ' s hard to forget. -■ap yl MAN OVERBOARD DRILL fe ;.T« 65 Navigation Top left: QM2 Crim at the helm, ENS Orihel, Helm Safety Officer, and QMSN Gray on the lee helm. Bottom left: QM1 Ratcliff. Below: QM3 Scott at the helm, ENS Stuart as Helm Safety Officer, Bottom right: QMSN Meron tries to get his bearings. Top right: QM3 Morales charts a course. 67 Communications Right: EW3 Placchetti and SM3 Maxwell hoist Bravo. Below: SMSN Bowen 68 Above: SMC Russell watcties the reply to SM3 Maxwell ' s flashing light. Lett: SM2 McGinnIs says something In the quiet way only signalmen con. Below: RM3 Burton Bottom: SR Kohn makes the 1000th MARS call, with FTM2 Jachlmiak ' s assis- tance. Left RMC Collins makes a point to RMSN Hughes and RMSN McCutcheon. Below: RM2 Wells Medical and Administration Below: YNSN McRae and YN3 Dockery Center right: YN3 Bright Supply Side Economics Top left: LTJG Howe Bottom left: DP3 Mutz Top rlgtit: DPI Schueren Bottom rigtit: SK3 Koerner 72 73 NUAMniSmSE lURPinmCTKMilEQUO WHEN OPfBAIING PllXJS ANOMUfFS Supply ' 4f C m, k ■ P Hfe dli ' .aa J a sHf 3 Above: FN Zammiello visits SH2 Fernan- deez, the neighborhood barber. Top left: Payday for the crew. Top center: SHSN Key worl s In the iaundry. Chow Right: SN Ferguson models what the well-dressed mess crank is wearing this M-.li Left: MS2 Ball and SN Day strain to prepare a good meal. Below: A typical menu. OREAm VEAL CUTLETS SPAGHETTI SAUCE OVEN GIO POTATOES BUTTERED GREEN BEANS HOT SPICED l|pTS 76 Left: Cranks eat first. HTFN Pinkston and HTFN Marosi eat to serve others. Below: OSSN Sctierr takes a no tears approach to chopping onions. Bottom: MSSN Urbino bakes again by night. 77 78 C CM r 83 5§|5| E ® S d . 5 S £ D n c D O •«l El u o g o o -o « III if; CO - dy ■§■13 o 2 i o _ O C B O - CM -5 5 z fi Cv 88 O LU en CO LU o X O 96 97 5 ® ■ !55 o E is 5 m ' _; O 5 c „-E o, O ® £ 5 . 0) x: - a r CO -fr . S 5 Q „ ? 5iB=r 55 ■Q _ -e o 2 cv :U 99 102 The Bad Guys A Soviet Kashin Class warship. Below: A Libyan gunboat. m i i - ■ ■rj: : .. , ..,,-. , i iM HHi ■■I H H H M ■ ™ W 1 H l m- S S ' J ' J If 5 1 1 « ff - Fi«2 S8 B ■ WMWi JJI f Ki n ™ . nl ; .] - ' - ' 4t 413 . «tf i«f.l V— r-— •• ■ ■ . .-jgj? H H I SPI Jf§ - H 1 H B d i 9 -— -a ; ' . ' -■-■ H IH j H A Look At Leisure Above: Being at sea didn ' t stop this intrepid band of tricl -or-treaters: SN Morin, FN Halioi, SA Conner, SA Moody, SN Dicl erson, and FN Gray. Top left: Quartermasters Blonton and l?atcliff are searching for the iost chord. Bottom left: Sonnetimes Junl floated by. Right: A flight deck frolic was the occasion for HTFA Ortiz, SN Aivarado, SN Fernandez, SR Arroyo, and SN Echemendio ' s percussion discussion. 105 106 This is Herman, He ' s a bird. This is % Wayne. He ' s a quartermaster. ■i ' OSlj ' ji! -■ Sr J HM3 Nicholas Above: BMCM Boyette HOME! Bottom left: SN Wishart and LT Glover. Bottom center: PNCS Miller and YNC Gebhardt. Left: Getting the quarterdeck ready for Norfolk. Below: First look at family and friends. 3 ■ ' A 110 Ill Special thanks to BM2 Jim Pfer- deort for donating most of tine color photographs which appear, PN3 Dana Hyde for helping type captions and reworking the unrep story, PN3 Al Stygles and SN Joey Van Aller for photo i.d. ' s, and Jeannie at the cruisebook office for all her efforts in our behalf. WALSWORTHYWV CRUISE BOOK OFFICE 112 PUBLISHING III 1203 West Little Creek Road COMPANY AAA NortolK. Virginia 23505 M rc line. Mo. 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