Mars (AFS 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEPLOYMEN r 92 PORT V isrrs DEP PEARL HARBOR 230CT92 1300 DEP. OAKLAND. CA. 31JUL92 0900 ARV. OAKLAND. CA. 30OCT92 0900 ARV. PEARL HARBOR 06AUG92 0730 DEP PEARL HARBOR 08AUG92 1030 ARV. GUAMM. I. 19AUG92 1055 DEP GUAMM.L 21AUG92 1715 ARV. SUBICBAYP L 26AUG92 1320 DEP SUBICBAYP I. 28AUG92 0900 ARV. SASEBOJA. 01SEP92 0840 DEP SASEBO. JA. 02SEP92 1530 ARV. YOKOSUKAJA. 05SEP92 1000 DEP YOKOSUKAJA. 08SEP92 1407 ARV. SUBICBAYP L I3SEP92 1130 DEP SUBICBAYP I. 15SEP92 1400 ARV. HONG KONG I7SEP92 1212 DEP HONG KONG 21SEP92 1550 ARV. SASEBOJA. 26SEP92 0900 DEP SASEBOJA. 29SEP92 1600 ARV PUSANKA. 30SEP92 0745 DEP PUSANKA. 03OCT92 1645 ARV. GUAMM. L 08OCT92 0840 DEP GUAMM. I. I0OCT92 1245 ARV. PEARL HARBOR 210CT92 0800 DEPLOYMENT 92 5

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SHIPS HISTORY USS MARS is the first of a new class ofU. S. Naiy Vessels, the Combat Stores Ship. She was built in San Diego, California by the National Shipbuilding Company. MARS was launched on 15 June 1963, sponsored by Mrs. Clyde Doyle, widow of Congressman Doyle of California. The MARS takes on the work oftuv different ships. She can handle the replenishment missions of the AF (Stores Supply Ship) and the AKS • (General Stores Issue Ship). MARS replaced these ships in supplying the fleet with fresh and frozen food and general stores. In addition to . replenishment by the standard connective method. She is named for Mars, Pennsylvania, a small town of 1700 people. With the provisions she carries on board, she coidd feed the population of Mars, Pa. for six years. Within her five cargo holds. Mars has over 47, 000 individual bins and drawers for general supplies. She carries 50,000 gallons of paint, enough for 2, 500 houses, and 175,000 envelopes, enough for each man on MARS to write one letter home a day for the next fourteen months. There is yet another role this ship and her crew perform in the Pacific. Just as MARS represents the naval power of our country; individu- ally, her men and officers will represent the moral power office men. They represent the United States at home and abroad. The performance of this vital task instills a deep and lasting influence of the stature of our Navy and our nation throughout the world. 4 SHIPS HISTORY

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CO CAPTMARCA. OSTERTAG Captain Marc A. Ostertag II was born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Sarasota, Florida. He gradu- ited from Wichita State University and was commissioned an Ensign in 1968. After completing flight training, he was designated a Naval Aviator and assigned duties as Flight Instructor with VT-7 in Merid- ian Mississippi. Subsequent flying tours included numerous Fighter Squadrons including VF-124, VF- 121, VF-161, VF-211, VF-101 and command ofVF-102. Accumulating over 4,000 hours in the F-8, F-4 and F-14 aircraft. Significant tours ashore have included Pacific Missile Test Center, Aide Flag Lieutenant to VADM R. R. Monroe at Commander Test and Evaluation Forces and Defense Nuclear Agency, Fighter Detailer and Air Combat Placement Officer, Naval Military Personnel Command, and the Staff of Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic. In November 1988, Captain Ostertagreported as Executive Officer, USSJOHNF. KENNEDY (CV- 67), where he served until April of 199 0 when he received orders to command USS MARS (AFS-1). Personal Awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal as well as two Navy Meritorious Ser- vice Medals and various other Expeditionary and unit awards. Captain Ostertag resides with his best friend and wife, Marsha, sons Doug and Marc and daughter Kelly at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, i FROM THE BRIDGE It is altogether fitting in her 30th year of service that USS MARS is fresh from her last Navy Western Pacific Cruise. We all can be justifi- ably proud of your unmatched performance and numerous contributions during the historic Subic Bay closure. She brings to an end an illus- trative U.S. Navy Career like she started it, serving the logistics needs of the fleet. From War in the Gulf of Tonkin to War in the Persian Gulf in times of peace and international tension, passing through every strait and sea in over 40, 000 , 000 square miles of the 3rd and 7th fleets with port calls from Mombassa, Kenya to Portland, Oregon, frvm Karachi, Pakistan to Perth, Australia (and every Navy port in between) from the first plank owners to you, the last all Navy crew, over 5,000 U.S. Navy men and women have served with pride. Your accomplishments are now history. Words alone will not express my extreme pride in your individual and cumulative efforts. Duty is a matter of mind. Commit- ment is a tnatter of the heart. Your hearts knew no bounds-l salute you. The Captain 6 CO.