Yellowstone (AD 41) - Naval Cruise Book

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4 - PRATT

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YELLOWSTONE’S MISSION I he mission of the USS YELLOWSTONE (AD-41) is to provide mobile base and intermediate level maintenance support facilities, primarily for the DD-963 class destroyers, GCN class cruisers, and FFG-7 class frigates. YELLOWSTONE is also capable of repair support to aircraft carriers and submarines. Within the capability of installed facilities, the ten-year-old destroyer tender also supports light patrol ships and miscellaneous small craft. This support includes shops, material and technical facilities for industrial support and repair which do not require the level of support available at facilities of a depot level maintenance activity. YELLOWSTONE also provides logistic support including repair parts, weapons and munitions (missile, torpedoes and gun ammunition); personnel support and services such as medical, dental and messing facilities for tended ships. Berthing, administrative and training facilities for a limited number of personnel from ships undergoing repair can be provided. Tended ships vary in size and characteristics, ranging from patrol ships of about 150 feet in length, displacing 235 tons, armed with guns and missiles, to nuclear-propclled missile cruisers nearly 600 feet long, displacing 10,000 tons, carrying advanced guided missiles and fitted with sophisticated electronic equipment. There are also special repair facilities for supporting ships with nuclear propulsion plants. Wherever possible, nuclear associated shops and repair facilities have been combined and arranged in a common space for convenience and economy of space and manpower. Because machinery of ships alongside for service may be under repair, YELLOWSTONE is fitted with extra electrical generators, water distilling capacity, and transfer facilities for providing electricity, boiler feed, fresh water and other services to ships alongside. The New Faithful is also fitted with large side doors to permit easy access to ships tied alongside. Several work boats and other small craft are carried to transfer material and personnel to nearby ships. The Norfolk-based destroyer tender also has four cranes for handling antennas, torpedoes, machinery, provisions, small boats and weapons. Beyond its destroyer support capabilities, YELLOWSTONE is capable of providing all the facilities and services to accommodate its complement of 1,300 officers and enlisted personnel in addition to accommodations for a group or squadron commander. MISSION — 3

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CAPTAIN EDMUND L. PRATI JR. Captain Pratt reported to USS YELLOWSTONE (AD-41) in August 1990 upon completion of a tour as Supreme Allied Command Atlantic Assistant Chief of Staff for Manpower. Prior to that he served as Chief Engineer, USS CORAL SEA (CV-63) and Commanding Officer, USS KIRK (FF-1087). All other sea tours were served in destroyers: Executive Officer, USS TURNER JOY (DD-951); Chief Engineer, USS KING (DDG-41); Chief Engineer, USS MITSCHER (DDG-35); Material Officer, Destroyer Division 22 Staff, and Main Propulsion Assistant, USS ROBERT A. OWENS (DD-827). Captain Pratt’s shore assignments included the U.S. Naval War College as a student; Officer in Charge of the USS KING (DDG-41) while the ship was out of commission undergoing overhaul; Operations and Plans Officer, U.S. Military Training Mission, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; and commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Command Indications Watch Officer. Captain Pratt married the former Doctor Doris Tynes Davis in June 1987. She is the Staff Assistant to the Virginia Beach Assistant Superintendent of Schools. COMMANDING OFFICER — 5