Fife (DD 991) - Naval Cruise Book

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Arabian Gulf E L O Y H I S T O R Y In mid April 1 992 US S FIFE (DD-991 ) deployed as part of the INDEPENDENCE Battle Group, commencing an exciting six month deployment. FIFE conducted a solo transit of the East and South China Seas while the rest of the INDEPENDENCE Battle Group traveled to Australia for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Battle for the Coral Sea. Embarking Neptunus Rex on April 21st, the ship was cleansed of slimy pollywogs in a rousing shellback ceremony. The next three weeks would provide very enjoyable liberty stops in Bali, Indonesia, Singapore, and Phuket, Thailand. After crossing the Bay of Bengal and entering the North Arabian Sea, FIFE participated m exercise Al Hout Omani 2-92 with the British ships HMS YORK (D 98 ) and HMS BAYLEAF (A 109) and four Royal Omani patrol boats. At the conclusion of the exercise, FIFE ' s crew spent four days of well-earned liberty in Muscat, Oman. After transiting the Straits of Hormuz, FIFE began patrols as the Northern Arabian Gulf strike platform in earl y June. She also conducted shallow water Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training with French ship FS JEAN DE VIENNE (D 643) and her embarked Lynx helicopter against a mini-mobile target (MMT). Afterwards FIFE returned to the Northern Arabian Gulf for more patrols, until a mid July port call in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She then returned to Bahrain for exercise Neon Spark 92-3, conducting joint operations with three Royal Bahraini patrol boats in the Central Arabian Gulf. During late July and early August, FIFE was inport Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates for a ship ' s maintenance availability with USS ACADIA (AD-42). Crew members made frequent trips to nearby Dubai for liberty. The rest of August was spent in the Central and Northern Arabian Gulf on strike operations patrol. A last minute port call in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates provided FIFE crew members with an opportunity to become goodwill ambassadors. The Sultan of Ras al Khaimah, the longest reigning ruler in the world, was hosted onboard FIFE for lunch and a tour of the ship. The ship was the first U.S. Navy vessel to pull into the emirate in nine years. In early September, FIFE rejoined the battle group, performing plane guard duties during Operation Southern Watch, until USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) turned over with the USS RANGER (CV-61) and then out-chopped from the Arabian Gulf on 17 September 1992. The battle group departed the USNAVCENT area of operations on September 28th with crew members looking forward to liberty in Pattaya, Thailand and Hong Kong. The highlight of the return trip back from Hong Kong, , however, was embarking 1 8 fam- ily members and friends known as Tigers. Although somewhat thwarted by heavy seas, the guests really enjoyed the ride to Japan. On 13 October 1992, the battle | group returned to Yokosuka Na- val Base, completing its second six I month deployment in two years. Family and loved ones gave the | crew a long awaited warm wel- come home, ltd One of the ship ' s missions is to use its helicopter assets to photograph Arabian Gulf oil terminals.

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Deployment ' 92 COMMANDER DAVID G. YOSHIHARA UNITED STATES NAVY CDR David G. Yoshihara was born on 6 March 1 957 on Midway Island. A graduate of Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, gradu- ating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. After receiving his commission, his first tour of duty was in USS REEVES (CG-24), serving as Assistant Combat Information Center Officer and First Lieutenant. He was reas- signed next as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group ONE. Commander Yoshihara attended the Naval Postgraduate School from October 1983 to March 1 986 where he received a Master of Science degree in Operations Analysis. After completing the Surface Warfare Officer ' s School, Department Head Course, he served as Operations Officer in USS CURTS (FFG-38). Next, he served as Operations Officer in Destroyer Squadron THREE ONE. He continued on sea duty completing his most recent assignment as Executive Officer in USS FIFE (DD-991), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. Commander Yoshihara ' s awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards). jj LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JAMES L. O ' KEEFE, III UNITED STATES NAVY L CDR James L. O ' Keefe III was born on 2 1 January 1 957 in Groton, Connecticut. A graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia, he entered the Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1 979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. After receiving his commission, his first tour of duty was in USS OLDENDORF ( DD-972 ), serving as Auxiliaries Officer, Damage Control Assistant, and Anti-Submarine Weapons Officer from February 1980 until August 1983. Lieutenant Commander O ' Keefe attended the Naval Postgraduate School from August 1983 to March 1 986 where he received a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Mechanical Engineer Degree. After completing the Surface Warfare Officer ' s School, Department Head Course, he served as Engineer Officer in USS LEFTWICH (DD-984) from November 1986 to May 1988. Next, he split-toured to USS VALLEY FORGE (CG-50), where he served as Engineer Officer from August 1988 to May 1 990. LCDR O ' Keefe then taught engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy from June 1990 to June 1992. Following completion of the Surface Warfare Officer ' s School, Prospective Executive Officer Course, he reported to USS FIFE (DD-99 1 ) as Executive Officer in September 1992. Lieutenant Commander O ' Keefe ' s awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards). Navy Achievement Medal, Battle Efficiency Ribbon (three awards), and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (two awards). He is a qualified Small Craft Officer as well as an Offshore Sailing Skipper. Additionally, he is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of California. •« E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R S

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Deployment 91 April 1992 13 Helo Detachment Onload 15 Underway, enroute Bali, Indonesia 19 Easter Dinner 21 Crossing-the-Line Ceremony 23 Visit Bali, Indonesia 29 Visit Singapore May 1992 3 Visit Phuket, Thailand 14 Inchop Task Force 151.3 16 Exercise Al Hout Omani 2-92 22 Visit Muscat, Oman 23 Inchop Task Force 154 24 Transit Straits of Hormuz June 1992 13 Anchor Bahrain Bell 21 Upkeep Bahrain Father ' s Day 25 MMCM (SW) Epperson ' s Retirement Ceremony July 1992 3 Anchor Bahrain Bell 1 1 Islamic Religious Day Visit Dubai, UAE 16 E-4 Frocking Ceremony 1 8 Inport Bahrain Exercise Neon Spark 92-3 25 Jebel Ali Tender Availability August 1992 1 LAMPS det turnover to HSL 5 1 ' Warlords 26 MTT Visit 31 Visit Ras al Khaimah, UAE September 1992 16 HMC Shane ' s Initiation 26 Transit Straits of Malacca 28 Visit Pattaya, Thailand October 1992 6 Visit Hong Kong Embark Tigers 13 Arrive Yokosuka, Japan Navy ' s 217th Birthday T I E L I T, e official crest of USS FIFE is highly symbolic of the ship ' s namesake, Admiral James Fife, Jr., a great American Naval Officer. The dark blue and gold of the shield are colors which are traditionally associated with the Navy, and symbolize the sea and excellence. The shield is divided into three sections to represent the air, the surface of the sea, and the depths. The bomb burst extends into all three areas of the shield to reflect the versatility and striking power of the Spruance class destroyer. Admiral Fife was an especially distinguished submariner. The barbs on the bomb burst radiate in all directions, which refer to the ability of a submarine to attack in any direction. Thus, the bomb burst alludes to Admiral Fife ' s service, as well as symbolizing the destroyer ' s mission of anti-submarine warfare. The dolphins, old maritime symbols, represent Admiral Fife ' s outstanding career, which encompassed both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in World War I and II. They are adapted from the submarine service badges and represent Admiral Fife ' s chosen field of service as a submariner. The red torpedo alludes to his submarine command during World War II; the red color denotes his active service during war, as well as the destructive power of the torpedo. The three gold discs on the torpedo represent the three Distinguished Service Medals awarded to Admiral Fife for his exceptional service during the war. The ship ' s motto. Succession Merere Conemw meaning Endeavor to Deserve Success, appears on the gold scroll beneath the shield. tid F I F E C R E S T