Nitro (AE 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS NI TRO IAE-232 USS NI TRO IAE-232 was commissioned 1 May 1959 and was then homeported at Da visville, Rhode Island on Narragansett Bay. In February 1960 NI TR O set sail for the Hrst of man y successful Mediterranean deployments. In September 1962 the ship made a 'good will visit to Northern Europe and returned in November of the same year to participate in the quarantine of Cuba. NITRO averaged one Mediterranean deployment per year in the following years un til May of 1966 when she was placed in a reserve sta tus for an extensive overhaul. During this overhaul NI TROKS Cargo transfer system was modernized and two gun mounts were removed aft and replaced by the helo deck that is present today. NI TRO continued her Mediterranean rotation until 1972 when she made one deployment to the Pacific during the Vietnam conflict. In 1974 NITRO19 homeport was changed to Naval Weapons Station, Earle at Colts Neck, New Jersey, becoming the Hrst ship to be homeported there. NITRO continued her Mediterranean deployment cycles until January 1977 when a one-year overhaul started which reworked the engineering plant and the majority of the ships cargo handling equipment. The communications center on board was also remodeled at that time. Upon completion of overhaul NI TRO once more en tered her Mediterranean deployment rotation, but was taken out of action in June 1981 when a Ere swept through her main engineering space causing extensive damage. After essential repairs were completed in Greece, NI TRO returned to the United States and entered the Coastal Drydock in Brooklyn, NY where the main engineering space was rebuilt and various other repairs were accomplished. Leaving Brooklyn on Sep tem ber 30, 1982, NI TRO once more began serving the United Sta tes Second Fleet and making regular deployments to the Mediterranean as a Mobile Logistic Support Force unit of the United States Sixth Fleet. After conducting sea trials and extensive training, NI TRO deployed in October 1983 to the Mediterranean in support of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. During this deployment NI TRO was the Hrst replenishment ship to upload the USS NEW JERSEY IBB-621 since her recommissioning. NI TRO was also awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal during this deployment. In March 1985, NI TRO once again deployed to the Mediterranean and assisted the battle group in support of the response to the TWA hijacking crisis in Beirut, Lebanon. NI TRO returned to her homeport in Earle, NJ on October 3, 1985. In January 1986 NI TRO entered Coastal Drydock in Brooklyn NY for a four- month Phased Maintenance Availability. In August 1986, NI TRO deployed to the North Atlantic for Operation Northern Wedding ,86. NITRO opera ted with US. Na val and NA TO forces, making port visits in Glen Douglas, Scotland, Portsmouth, England, and Dublin, Ireland, returning to Earle on October 16th. On 30 December, NI TRO got underway for yet another in a long history of Mediterranean deployments. 1 i I l l E f 1 3 2 1 L 'x r sl f, rl It w DLX I x fs FE W R V

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CO MA DIN G OFFICER COMMANDER WILLIAM' STILLMAKER COMMANDER WILLIAM J STILLMAKER UNITED STA TES NA VY Commander Stillmaker was born in the U.S. Naval Hospital, Farragut, Idaho. He is a January 1967 graduate of the University of Idaho where he received his commission through the NROTC program. Commander Stillmaker's first duty was aboard USS BLACK QDD-6661 as Damage Control Assistant. In February 1969 he reported to USS GALLUP QPG-855 stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam, as Engineer Officer. In January 1970, he attended the U.S. Naval Destroyer School and in August 1970 was assigned to USS CHEVALIER QDD-8053 as Engineer Officer. In October 1971 Commander Still- maker assumed duties of Operations Officer and from May through July served as Executive Officer of USS CHEVALIER. After completing the U.S. Navy Salvage and Diving School, he relieved in October 1972 as Commanding Officer of USS CHOWAN OC fATFf100J. In June 1974 Commander Stillmaker was transferred to the newly forming Surface Warfare Officer School fBasicJ in Newport, Rhode Island, where he served as Department Head of each of the three departments and obtained his master's degree through the Providence College night study program during his tour. He next attended the U.S. Naval War College in August 1977 and upon completion was assigned to USS MOUNT HOOD QAE-291 in October 1978 as Executive Officer. In April 1980 he assumed the duties of Commanding Officer, USS EDENTON QATS-ll and in December 1983 was transferred to Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, Virginia where he was assigned as Executive Officer. On 4 June 1985 Commander Stillmaker relieved Captain Archibald E. Millis as Commanding Officer, USS NITRO QAE-235. Commander Stillmaker has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and has twice been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal in addition to the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Presidential and Navy Unit Citations Meritorious Unit Cita- tion, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Area and Country Awards for duty in Viet-, nam. 2 . 0 if 'I 'i' ----' ' ' .nf-1 LL' 1' ' 5'-A A f--.,:., '1411 ffff--s., 1,1-M'-' .. 1 ,,-.1-5-ff. ' ,..N.,..........,.......-L,,, fr- - 'f ' HA.- L . -AA 5 , -Lt I , ,i,,, I