Mount Baker (AE 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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..- ' ■ ■ ■ . - . - : : ' T h, J I COMMANDER JOSEPH P. KEANE

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The USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) joined the fleet in July, 1972. She is one of the four newest fleet am- munition ships in the Navy - the AE-32 Class. This modern class of auxiliary support ship has brought an increased capability to the fleet for underway repleni shment. With her advanced design replenishment facilities, she can more effectively accomplish the rapid transfer of ammunition and other cargo to fleet units at sea. MOUNT BAKER is 564 feet in length and 81 feet in the beam. When fully loaded with 6000 tons of ord- nance cargo and 2500 tons of fuel, MOUNT BAKER displaces 19,000 tons and has a maximum draft of 28 feet. The ship is armed with four 3 50 calibre rapid fire guns in two twin mounts. MOUNT BAKER has berthing and messing accommodations for 28 officers and 375 enlisted. When deployed, a Helicopter Support Detachment and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team are embarked. This modern fleet ammunition ship is the second ship in the U.S. Navy to bear the name MOUNT BAKER. The first ship, also an ammunition ship (AE-4), took part with gallantry and honor in both the European and Pacific theaters of operation during World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. She was stricken from the Naval Register in December 1969. Both the old and new MOUNT BAKER were named for one of the more recently active volcanoes in the United States. Mount Baker, a peak 10,778 feet high, is located in the Cascades Mountain Range in the State of Washington.

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Commander Keane was commissioned in June of 1971 through the Officer ' s Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island, after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland. His first assignment was Assistant Combat Information Officer of the USS TWO JIMA (LPH-2). After two Medi- terranean deployments and various division officer duties, Commander Keane was reassigned to USS NESPELEN (AOG-55) as Executive Officer and Navigator in August 1974. Upon NESPELEN ' s decommissioning in July 1975, Commander Keane attended the Naval Destroyer School, Newport, Rhode Island, in January 1976, with eventual as- signment in October 1976 as Weapons Officer of the USS ELMER MONTOGOMERY (FF-1082). He com- menced a second Departmental Head tour in October 1978 as Operations Officer of the USS CALOOSAHAT- CHEE (AO-98). In January 1980, Commander Keane was assigned to the staff, Commander-in-Chief, United States Naval Forces, Europe, in London, England, as Communications Operations Readiness Officer. Commander Keane ' s next assignment was at sea in March 1984 as Executive Officer of the USS SEATTLE (AOE-3). This was followed by assignment in November 1985 as Assistant Chief of Staff, Command, Control and Communications, on the staff of Commander, Sixth Fleet, homeported in Gaeta, Italy. Commander Keane holds the Meritorious Service and Navy Achievement Medals. Commander Keane is married to Margaret Rosemary Partridge. They have one son, Hugh, who is five.