Norton Sound (AVM 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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Q I 5225 Ii? D N 'Wh WX OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT Members of the Operations Department on board USS NORTON SOUND perform a wide range of functions vital to the successful completion of her research and development mission. From adroit Deck Seaman to spirited Electronics Technicians, or from trustworthy Radiomen to diligent Quartermasters and Signalmen, the men and women of OPS prevent NORTON SOUND from sailing into harms way. While standing the watches which ensure the safe navigation of the ship, they provide integral support for every shoot through the maintenance and operation of key electronic systems OA, or Deck Division, is comprised of professional Boatswains Mates 4BM'sJ and non-rated seamen. This task is a formidable one: to preserve and maintain virtually the entire 540 feet of exterior. Motivated by pride in their ship and themselves, they painstakingly nbust rustn, prime and paint, rig and splice, polish, scrub and swab a never ending assignment on this forty year old ship. But responsibility does not end here. At the words: nFlight Quartersu, nMan Overboardn, nSet the Special Sea and Anchor Detailn and more, the uDeck Typesn swing into action, using traditional seamanship skills that have evolved for centuries. More than any other rating, they still pit themselves against the sea as lookouts, helmsmen, coxswains, bowhooks, leadsmen and linehandlers. OC, or Communications Division consists of a group of Radiomen CRM's7 with multi-faceted skills. They must operate the NORTON SOUND's uCommunications Suiteu which consists of everything from World War II vintage radios and teletypes to state-of-the-art digital electronics. They monitor nthe Fleet Broadcastu, an endless stream of messages, processing all of those designated for NORTON SOUND. Battling atmospheres, cranky, old equipment and a host of other PACFLT units competing for the COMMSTA's time are all in a day's work. Communications provides our only link with the outside world when the ship is at sea. Whether using voice nets, satellite terminals or sending record traffic ship-to-shore, the RM's work at a fast pace as the USPARKSH fly to and from one piece of equipment to another until all outgoing messages have been transmitted, incoming messages are routed, the stubborn TTY's are humming and the radios are tuned to the proper ufreqsn. Without communications, there would have been no tactical scenarios, firing orders, or Tomahawk firings. OE, or Electronics Division is home for the Electronics Technicians QET'sJ the mainstay in the effort to keep the electronics flowing in the right direction. The trademark of the technicians was their technical competence and comradery. No matter what the challenge, OE tackled it professionally --- together. Some of their equipment is as old as the Grand Lady herself, yet some foreshadows the Twenty-first century. Not to be overcome, they have I trained and then trouble-shot this diverse realm, both successfully and cheerfully. - ON, or Navigation Division, is composed of both the Quartermasters SQM'sy and Signalmen KSM'sJ. They share the primary responsibility for ensuring the ship steers clear of all hazards to navigation. While the ship is equipped with the most modern nav systems available, the Quartermaster mariners never leave the ship's safety to chance. They still confirm the ship's position by using the age old skills passed down. Meanwhile the Signalmen communicate by a variety of visual means including flaghoist, semaphore, and flashing lights. Thanks to their skills no Navy ship is ever deaf, dumb, or blind. This ' division is summed up in the word ntraditionn. Their tradition includes Pflde in the professional performance of a centuries old occupation.

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.Af Operations Oificer LCDR Kell 4 lst LT, I'LL CATCH YOU, TRUST ME! OOPSgAND HARRY. R Y WHERE'S MY YFIREWATCH? L A

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LT. McClintock DECK DIVISION LARRY Mom CURLY LCPO BMC Bernadino