Mount Baker (AE 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN D. L. HETHERINGTON

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PIER BRAVO STOOD EMPTY AT THE NAVAL WEAPONS STATION AS THE SUN BURNED THROUGH THE MORNING HAZE ON A TUESDAY. 17 MAY. FURTHER DOWN THE COOPER RIVER STEAMED THE USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE RISING SUN, AS SHE HEADED FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. IT WAS AGAIN TIME FOR THE LOW COUNTRY EXPRESS TO LEAVE CHARLESTON FOR FOREIGN LANDS HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD. IN HER WAKE THE MOUNT BAKER LEFT LOVED ONES STANDING ON CHARLESTON ' S SUNNY BEACHES, BUT IN HER PATH AWAITED COUNTRIES AND EXPERIENCES UNIQUE TO A SAILORS LIFE. THE CRUISE WOULD BE ONE FILLED WITH NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVEN THE OLDEST OF SALTS. AS FOR THE NEW CREW MEMBERS, EVERY MILE WOULD PRESENT A LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO ENSURE THAT THEY RETURN WITH TALES AND MEMORIES OF THE 1983 MEDITERRANEAN INDIAN OCEAN DEPLOYMENT. DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, THE CREW WOULD ENCOUNTER MANY EVENTS THAT WOULD MAKE THIS CRUISE MEMORABLE. AS AN EAST COAST SHIP, THE MOUNT BAKER LEFT AS A MEMBER OF THE SECOND FLEET. UPON ENTERING THE MEDITERRANEAN, THE CREW WILL COMPLETE ITS MISSION AS A SIXTH FLEET SHIP. AFTER COMPLETING AN EXHAUSTING SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT, WE WOULD BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SEVENTH FLEET, WHICH IS NORMALLY COMPRISED OF WEST COAST SHIPS. IT WOULD GIVE THE FINEST AE IN THE NAVY A CHANCE TO SHOW ALL THREE FLEETS HOW TO DELIVER WITH CLASS. THE OLD SALTS OF THE CREW WOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK FORWARD TO CROSSING THE LINE (EQUATOR). THIS EVENT WOULD GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLEANSE THE SHIP OF ALL POLLYWOG SLIME IN THE TRADITIONAL SHELLBACK INITIATION. AS THE SITUATION INTENSIFIED IN BEIRUT, THE MOUNT BAKER CREW WORKED LONG HOURS AND ENDURED AN EVER-CHANGING SCHEDULE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE MARINES AND MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE WITH THE AMMUNITION AND SUPPLIES THEY NEEDED. IN THESE PAGES WE HAVE ATTEMPTED THE IMPOSSIBLE AND HAVE TRIED TO CAPTURE THE CREW ' S VOYAGE THROUGH HOSTILE AND FRIENDLY LANDS ALIKE. PICTURES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, BUT NO BOOK WILL EVER DO JUSTICE TO THE WORK AND EXPERIENCES THE CREW WENT THROUGH. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE CREW MEMBERS ON THIS, THE FINEST f IN THE NAVY, FOR THEIR WORK AND ENDLESS EFFORT HAVE EARNED THE LOW COUNTRY EXPRESS A MOST DESERVED MOTTO — WE DELIVER WITH CLASS.

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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.