Merrimack (AO 179) - Naval Cruise Book

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U S MEDDIMACK (AO-179). D.C. Jackson commanding. reLurncd October 25th. 1994. from a six month deployment to the Mediterranean and Qed Sea. The Cimarron Class Fleet Oiler Lefl Norfolk May 3. 1994 for a 176 day cruise which took her throughout the Qed ea in support of the U.N. sancitons against Iraq. As the sole logistic vessel in the Ded (Sea. Merrimack provided all support services for the ships of Task Group 1 ' 32. 1 . including allied vessels participat- ing in the Joint Multi-National interdiction forces. In the spirit of a right-sized Navy. Merrimack was the first auxiliary ship tasked to board and search merchant vessels, exhibiting superior tlexibility in the final days of at-sea inspections which involved over 9000 boardings since the U.N. sanctions took effect in 1992. Merrimack also participated in both exercise Infi- nite Shadow ' 94 with Jordanian naval units, and Eagle Saulte ' 94. exercising with Egyptian naval forces. The crew made a memorable port visit to D|ibouti. Africa. They responded selflessly to the many impoverished people of Djibouti who live every day under threat of deadly disease, strained medical facilities, inadequate supplies, and the harsh environment. In superb cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the American Embassy. MEDDIMACK donated over 60 cases of Ultra flight Tempera- ture milk to the Balbala hospital, a local orphanage which also provides maternal medical services. Additionally, a nonstop flow of crewmembers stretched out their arms in donating 50 units of blood to the Djibouti blood bank, greatly boosting the local supply which had been plagued by limited and or contami- nated blood supplies.

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LOcS TDE AMlGOcS YOU ADE DETACHED! THEN.D.S. DEGATTA TABLE OF CONTENTS 6H1P ' Hl TODY 2 -it- ' CO 4 XO 6 CMC 7 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT 8 (SUPPLY DEPARTMENT 10 DECK DEPARTMENT 14 OPERATION DEPARTMENT 22 ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT 28 UNREP 36 ENTERTAINMENT 38 WARDROOM 42 CPO ME S 44 CREW 46 STATISTICS 48 ACTIVITIES 50 PORTS or CALL 64 SWIM CALL 68 MORE PORTS OE CALL . . 69 HOMECOMING 74 SHEIKS OF THE 5URNING SAND 80 CRUISE500K STAFF 82 HELO INBOUND . . . SHOWS GREAT CREDIT UPON . . .

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Merrimack provided the highest quaHty in midshipmen summer training. Three groups midshipmen from various colleges and universities received training in hoarding operations from the Coast Guard Law Enforcement Team, and were active participants in a CW shoot and various foreign nax ' ) ' exercises, includ- ing astern refueling and tactical maneuvering. Throughout the deployment. Merrimack, steamed over 30,000 miles to safely conduct 71 underway replenishments servicing 25 different U.6. and NATO ships. hc delivered over 10 million gallons of diesel and aviation fuels and 912 pallets of cargo, transferring over one million pounds of car o. Flight deck per- sonnel kept busy logging over 60 hours of flight operations in transferring pas- sengers, mail, and cargo to other fleet units. The 17 officers and 241 enlisted personnel onboard enjoyed portcalls in Qota and Palma, Mallorca, 6pain, Au- gusta Bay, 6icily. Hurghada. Egypt. Jeddah, 6audi Arabia. Djibouti. Africa, and Ros. Greece, While away from homeport Norfolk, b crew members achieved Enlisted Sur- face Warfare Specialist qualification and 5 qualified ofllcer of the deck under- way. For many onboard it was their first deployment, and one not likely to be forgotten. From donating blood and supplier to the needy in Djibouti, to bring- ing the George Washington and Thomas . Gates alongside in the gulf of Suez, even the old hands would describe this cruise as both exciting and enjoyable. Merrimack has once again proved she is indeed the World ' s Finest Fleet Oiler.