Mount Baker (AE 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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The MOUNT BAKER would be only an empty hulk if it were not for the officers and crew who live, work, and relax on board. It is people who make a ship — not supplies, electronic gear, weapons systems, propulsion plant equipment, aircraft, or replenishment rigs. A ship has a personality and a discernable feeling which transcends installed equipment. This is what makes MOUNT BAKER a truly exceptional vessel. Throughout the deployment depicted in the following pages, you will see people — your husbands, sons, uncles, nephews, boyfriends, and fiances. They are the living, responsive, loving, dedicated, professional, hard-working men of MOUNT BAKER who comprise the ship ' s heart and soul. It is also important to realize that all of you reading this cruise book likewise are part of the pulse of this ship. The men on board cannot function by themselves. Only with your support, words of encouragement, and dedication to keepi ng the homefront squared-away while MOUNT BAKER is deployed can the men work at their fullest capacity. So you are a part of this ship, too. This deployment has taken us half-way around the world and half-way through a year in service to our country. We were delivering with class in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Lebanon, throughout the Mediterranean Sea, and in the Atlantic Ocean. In the course of the deployment MOUNT BAKER steamed over 35,000 miles, delivered over 2,500 tons of ammunition and 50 tons of cargo, pumped 300,000 gallons of fuel to customer ships, and carried over 100 transient personnel. Our expertise has received wide acclaim and earned the ship numerous atta-boys and kudos. As Executive Officer, I am indeed fortunate to have such a fine group of men to supervise. I marvel daily at their abilities and undying spirit. The Low Country Express will pull into our home station with evident pride for a job most professionally done. The deployment has been a memorable one with success achieved at every assignment. As you page through this book, it is my hope that you will get a glimpse of our life from reveille to taps and get a feel for the MOUNT BAKER at work and play. I am proud of this ship and you can certainly share in that pride. M W. G. WRIGHT LCDR USN Executive Officer USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) BIOGRAPHY OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER W. GRANT WRIGHT. USN W. Grant WRIGHT was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is the son of Simeon and Esther WRIGHT. He graduated from the NROTC program at the University of New Mexico in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and he holds a Master ' s Degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. Upon commissioning in June 1971, he report ed to Pensacola, Florida for pilot training. He transferred to the surface force in August 1972 and was assigned initially as Sonar Maintenance Officer and later as Auxiliaries Electrical Officer on board USS LOCKWOOD (FF-1064), homeported in San Diego, California. This tour was followed by assignment as Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer on board USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG-5), flagship of Commander Seventh Fleet, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan He then cross decked to the USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (FF-1067), also homeported in Japan, as Chief Engineer. Following this tour, he attended the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head Course in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon graduation, he was assigned as Chief Engineer of the USS MOINESTER (FF-1097), homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. Lieutenant Commander WRIGHT reported to USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) as Executive Officer following graduation from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. He wears the following personal and unit awards: Navy Commendation Medal, E Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Galantry with Palm. Lieutenant Commander WRIGHT is married to the former Tonilee Moore of Millbrook, Alabama. They have two children: a son, Brandon, and a daughter, Maela.

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This cruise book represents a snapshot of a portion of the life of a MOUNT BAKER sailor. Although the snapshot only represents the period from 17 May to 21 November 1983, it is a period of hard work and memories of a ship ' s deployment. This cruise book is dedicated to what makes a ship the best, the crew. The accomplishments of each and every crewmember during this deployment towards our mission have been nothing less than superb. Although our tasks were varied, each was completed with class. I also praise the wives and families of MOUNT BAKER for keeping the home fires burning and supporting us during this deployment. Your support was noticed and appreciated. Thank You! I, as Captain, have never sailed with a finer group of men and I am proud to be their Captain. I thank each member of MOUNT BAKER for their dogged determination and professionalism. Always give it your best shot. D. L. Hetherington CAPT USNR COMMANDING OFFICER USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) Donald L. Hetherington born and raised in Anaconda, Montana, is the son of Orin and Bernice Hetherington. He graduated from Montana State University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech. He also holds a Master ' s Degree in Operations Research Management from the University of Arkansas. He entered Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island with class 53 in October 1962. Upon commissioning in March 1963 he reported to Staff COMCARDIV 17 and deployed to the Western Pacific on board the USS HORNET {CVS-12). Commander Hetherington has served as Executive Officer on board the USS RALEIGH (LPD-1) and other commands which include the Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region NINE, Millington, Tennessee; USS FORT FISHER (LSD-40); commanded the Naval Reserve Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and in addition was assigned to USS OKINAWA (LPH-3); Military Sealift Command, Pacific; CINC South, Naples, Italy; and ASW Group 3. Commander Hetherington reported to the USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) after a tour as Chief Staff Officer at Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region EIGHT, Jacksonville, Florida. Commander Hetherington wears the following personal and unit awards: Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, E Ribbon and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Commander Hetherington is married to the former Alice Hilgers of Anaconda, Montana. They have four children: daughters Michelle, Patricia, Natalie, and son Kevin.

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Our 1983 Mediterranean Indian Ocean cruise has shown what a fine dedicated crew can do to make our Navy the best in the world. We were called upon to do a wide variety of things, all of which were accomplished with class . Our cruise book attempts to show, through pictures and words, what our cruise meant to the members of the MOUNT BAKER. As for myself, it has been one of the great satisfactions, being allowed to serve on the best AE in the fleet. As the Command Master Chief, I have never served with a crew who was more dedicated to their ship than the crew of the MOUNT BAKER and I am extremely proud to say that I am part of that crew. K. R. Suiter YNCM(SW) USN Command Master Chief r A native of South Dakota, Master Chief Suiter joined the Navy on 1 February 1951. Upon graduation from boot camp, he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington. He served successively on board USS FIREDRAKE (AE-14), USS LEXINGTON (CV-16), and USS KENNETH WHITING (AV-16). Shore assignments have included Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, Virginia; Mine Warfare School, Charleston, South Carolina; HS-9, Quonset Point, Rhode Island; Washington, D. C; Joint U. S. Military Assistance Advisory Group, Bangkok, Thailand; Staff, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Six, Charleston, South Carolina; and Polaris Material Office Atlantic (PMOLANT), Charleston, South Carolina. Following his tour at PMOLANT, he served on board USS WAINWRIGHT (CG-14). In September 1978, Master Chief Suiter reported to Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Training Center where he held the position of Personnel Officer and Assistant Administrative Officer. Upon detachment from there he was assigned as Command Master Chief of USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34). His decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal, Battle Efficiency E , Good Conduct Awards, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal.