John Hall (FFG 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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The History of the Johnny USS JOHN L. HALL was commissioned on June 26. 1982. Upon •ompletion of initial sea trials and refresher training. JOHN L. FIALL quickly de eloped a reputation of being a ship that was ilways ready. While conducting independent operations in the Persian Gulf in 1984. JOHN L. HALL responded to the crisis of the American Embassy bombing in Beirut. Lebanon. Stationed within sight of the ;ity. JOHN L. HALL provided anti-air defense for the fleet, a task- ng for which she was awarded a Navy Meritorious Unit Commenda- ion. From 1985 to 1987, JOHN L. HALL conducted Caribbean. Cen- ral and South American operations. She was the first 01i er Hazard erry class guided missile frigate to circumnavigate South America luring UNITAS XXVII and was named Top Operator by Com- nander. South Atlantic Forces. FFG-32 also received the Coast juard Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Special Operations support Ribbon for participation in Drug Interdiction Operations. From 1987 through 1988. JOHN L. HALL underwent major hull nodifications and system upgrades during an extended drydock peri- od in Avondale. Louisiana. In April of 1988. JOHN L. HALL was iwarded the Destroyer Squadron EIGHT Battle Efficiency E ward for total operational superiority during the previous 18 month . ' ompetitive cycle. 1989 saw JOHN L. HALL prepare once again for an extended Vlediterranean deployment. In addition to completing two Fleet Exer- :ises and Refresher Training. JOHN L. HALL participated in the lighly successful ASW operation. ROJO 1 -89. The crew also enjoyed 1 brief visit to Scotland during ROJO. Spring of 1990 was ushered in with JOHN L. HALL returning to he Mediterranean Sea. Conducting numerous anti-submarine opera- ions and participating in Sixth Fleet exercises were the order of busi- less for the men of FFG-32 until the invasion of Kuwait in August n support of Operation Desert Shield. JOHN L. HALL was called jpon to assist in interdiction operations in the Red Sea. She returned lome to a warm welcome in September and began another Selected Restricted Availability period. Completing this availability early. FF(J-32 emerged from the cocoons of scaffolding to continue her tra- Jition of excellence. JOHN L. HALL participated in numerous operations in 1991 leginning with a visit to the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea during 3ALTOPS from May through July. The crew enjoyed visits to such ■)orts as Finland. Scotland. France and Ciermany. September and October tound the Hall once again condiicliiig Drug nterdiction Operations in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. because of her outstanding performance during LEO-OPS. the ship was submitted for the Meritorious Unit Commendation ami the Coast Guard Special Operations Support Ribbon. Man other operations were conducted during late 1901 and early 1992. including a Fleet Exercise, m preparation for MED 2-92. On May 6. 1992. the JOHN L. H.4LL once again deployed for six months of operations and numerous port visits in the Mediterranean. Black. Aegean and Red Seas. FFG-32 found herself conducting independent operations in the Black Sea. visiting the former Communist ports ol Varna. Bulgaria, and Constanta. Romania, followed b a return to the Red Sea for con- tinued NATO interdiction operations. Following visits to Israel, Malta and .Albania, the ship spent the remainder of MED 2-92 attached to the Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean conducting Joint NATO operations off the coasts of Yugoslav ia and Italv until returning home in November. Once again the JOHN I.. H. LL has lived up to the motto she has so diligently earned. .• L V.. S VIC- TORIOUS. . . . r 0 -9 fX

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Commander Donald G. Geiger Commanding Officer Commander Donald G. Geiger was born 13 April 1949 in Glen- dive. Montana, and gradiiaicd from Dawson County High School in 1967. He attended the L niversity of Colorado through the NROTC Program, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree and received his commission in August 1971. His first assiiinment v as as a Divi- sion Officer aboard L!SS HENR ' B. MLSON (DD(;-7) homeport- ed in San Diesio. followed by a tour as the Navigator aboard I ' SS ST. LOl!IS(LKA-116) In 1976. Commander Geiger reported to Na Recruiting District. Miami. Florida, for duty as an Officer Recruiter and the Oflicer Pro- grams Officer. Following graduation from the Surface Warfare Officer School Department Head course, he was assigned as Operations Officer aboard USS SAMPSON (DDG-IO) otit of Maypon. Florida, fol- lowed by a tour as Chief Hngineer aboard I ' SS SAVANNAH ( AOR- 4) homeported in Norfolk. Virginia. Commander Geiger ser ' ed as Executne Officer on USS B. R- NEY (DDG-6) from September 1984 to August 19X6. He then attended the National Defense University. Industrial College of the Armed Forces and. upon graduation, w as assigned to duty on the Joint Staff as a Staff Action Officer in the Logistics Directorate (J-4). On Mav 17. 1991. Commander Geiijer beuan dutv as the Com- manding Officer of the USS JOHN UrHALL (FFG-32) where he has led the ship through numerous operations including the er suc- cessful MED 2-92. Commander Geiger is married to the former Reva Marie Houston of Glendive. Montana. They have two sons. Rob and John, w ho are currently attending the University of Florida.