Mount Baker (AE 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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IT., ' lf, 'pox 3 ff X I '. ,fu xl ...,,,fflggea,lF,,....,. is will o I ,,,,V,. 1 ,,,,,,,, 2 M, . ,.,,, f, X if '- N14 ,W 'A . . F V ' f 1 . My If ,ff , f' fi 1 2 ,W an ., , ,lf f04j,Wyf, 'karat XM, 6 As the daylight grows dim on this last deployment for a fine Naval Ship, and before conversion to MSC, I would like to take a few minutes and reflect back on some of the good times for her and the Low Country Express Team. We have set the standard for all other Logistic Ships to follow. We have been in some good ports of call over the last six months like Rota, Spain, Cannes, Francep Djibouti, Bahrain, Iebel Ali, and many others. We have taken part in many operations, and each time we have shown the Low Country Express Team was professional from the Commanding Officer to the most junior Sailor aboard. From transiting the Suez Canal fThe Ditchj to conducting Escort Operations in the Arabian Guif, to short notice UNREPS, the Low Country Express was there each time to answer the call. To sum everything up in a few words, you are the finest crew any Naval Ship could have, and I am proud of each and every one of you, and proud to be your Command Master Chief. Remember, plan for the future because you can't change the past! Master Chief Boatswain Mate Strickland was born and raised in Nichols, South Carolina. He entered the Naval Service in October 1975. After completing Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was assigned to USS SIMON LAKE CAS 321 in Rota, Spain. After 2 years he sailed her back to Charleston, South Carolina for a much needed yard period. In 1979 he transferred to Charleston Naval Station Brig for a tour of duty In 1980 he reported aboard USS WAINWRIGHT QCG 285, earning his Enlisted Surface Warfare pin in November of that year. After six and one half years he rotated to shore duty at COMMINERON TWO in 1986 and within 1 0 months found himself riding Minesweepers in the Arabian Gulf. In 1990 he was assigned to USS ELROD QFFG 55j as the First LT and Command Senior Chief. He then reported to DESRON FOUR in 1993 as SAR Screener and Aviation Officer. In July 1995 he was selected for the Command Master Chief Program and attended the Senior Enhsted Academy 1n Newport, Rhode Island. In October 1995 he reported as the Command Master Chief aboard USS MOUNT BAKER QAE 341. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal fthree awards, and Navy Achievement Medal ffour awardsj. Master Chief Strickland is married to the former Nancy Pettry of Colcord, West Virginia. They reside in Charleston, South Carolina. 5

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. ..-A . ,,........-v.,..,..,-.,. ,,,......-rum,-we---,nv:wwevm,,...v-f-'nfrxw . rf , - . f: 3 . , ' ' f' ' ' 1'6 Lieutenant Commander Nicholas entered the U.S. Navy through Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in May 1981. His academic credentials include a B.S. Degree in Conservation and Resource Development from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Marine Affairs Degree from the University of Rhode Island. LCDR Nicholas' first tour of duty was onboard USS JESSE L. BROWN QFF 1089J, in Charleston, South Carolina, where he served in billets as Electrical Officer and Navigator until March 1985. This tour of duty was followed by an assignment as an Instructor and Division Head at the Surface Warfare Officer Course in Newport, Rhode Island, from April 1985 until May 1988. During this tour he received designation as a Master Training Specialist. LCDR Nicholas then attended Surface Warfare Officers School Department Head and Prospective Executive Officers Courses, and reported for duty as the Prospective Executive 4 Officer in PRECOMUNIT DEFENDER Safety Center, Norfolk Virginia QMCM ZJ at the builders shipyard Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Marinette, Wisconsin. DEFENDER was personal awards include the Navy commissioned in September 1 989 and Commendation Medal Qfour awardsj and shifted to her new homeport of Little the Navy Achievement Medal Qtwo Creek, Virginia, in December 1989. LCDR Nicholas remained onboard awardsj. LCDR Nicholas 1S married to the DEFENDER until November 1990 when former Leslee Ann Clark of DuBois he transferred to USS NEWPORT QLST Pennsylvania. They reside in Virginia 11791. He served as Operations Officer in Beach, Virginia, with their two daughters NEWPORT until July 1992 and completed his Command Qualification during this tour. He then transferred to the Operations Directorate on the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Fleet Introduction and Plans Assistant. After attending the Prospective Executive Officers Course from October to November 1994, he reported as the Executive Officer in USS MOUNT BAKER QAE 34J, homeported at the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, in January 1995. He transferred in April 1996 and is now stationed at the Naval Stacee and Kaitee

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