Alamo (LSD 33) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER Commander Leonard F. PICOTTE received his commission through Officer Candidate School after attaining d B;u hclor of Science Degree in Business AdminiMration from the Northern Michigan Univer- sity in 1963. Subsequent assignments after comple- tion of fxplosivo Disposal School have included USS Hornet (CVS 12), USS Hammberberg (DE 1015), USS PricHett pJ) 561), Commanding Officer of USS Mar- athon (PG 89) and Extn utivt-Officer USS ?f Defi- ance (LSD 31). After ol)taining a master? flegree in Foreign Affairs trum San Diego State University, he atter-KJed 4 i .AimedForces Staff Collcjie. Com- niaridA PlCppLcame td USh Al AMO on 10 June 1960 tf dWy asb tC( in Charge of Surface War- fare Officers School Coronado, California. liei liisc( DejK Acad lieuli Cairc OIlic powf Engii caiM

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NOBODY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE EASY AND IT WASN ' T On 24 June 1981, the ALAMO set sail from San Diego to begin a WESTPAC CRUISE. This was the tenth deployment for ALAMO, and for many of you, your first trip to the Western Pacific. The ALAMO has a long and proud history. She made her first Westpac in 1957 where she participated in the Bikini Atomic Tests. In 1962, during her fifth deployment, ALAMO delivered badly needed emergency relief supplies to typhoon-striken Guam. Again in 1964 ALAMO went to the aid of earthquake ravaged Kodiak, Alaska with relief supplies. In 1965 she earned her first award, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, for her contribution to the Vietnam War effort. From 1965 to 1972, the ALAMO repeatedly lived up to her motto, WE DELIVER ANYTHING - ANYTIME - ANYWHERE. Today, we are all priviiedged to serve on this great ship. Your hard work has made this deployment one of the most successful in the history of the ALAMO. This cruise has taken us to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines; Mombasa, Kenya; Diego Garcia; Perth and Sydney, Australia and back to San Diego. In every port you have shown the flag and presented yourselves as true ambassadors of goodwill. Those who first sailed the ALAMO, a generation ago, would be proud of the way you have conducted yourselves. As your commander, I have spoken many times of pride and professionalism, and the importance of striving for excellence. It has to matter to each one of you, and it has. As a result of your efforts, this cruise can only be characterized as outstanding. You steamed over three-quarters around the world and back, served as primary control ship in four major amphibious exercises, including Bell Volcano and Kangaroo ' 81, and did it flawlessly. Every member of the crew did his job and did it well. Had we been needed in any of the world ' s trouble spots, ALAMO was prepared. This book stands as a testimonial to your being the most successful crew to sail the ALAMO. It is a piece of history which you lived for 183 days. In the years to come, remember what you did, remember your shipmates and remember the ship you sailed on. It wasn ' t easy, but being the best never is. L. F. Picotte Commanding Officer

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Jesse M. MACKEY Jr., received his commission in 1968 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nautical Science from the California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, Ca. After six months of flight school. Lieutenant Commander MACKEY received orders to USS Carronade (LFR-1). There he served as Communications Officer. Subsequent assignments were Personnel, Man- power and Management at Naval Station Long Beach, Calif., Operations Officer on board USS Frederick (LST 1184), Executive Officer on board USS Safeguard (ARS 25), Engineering Officer on board USS Brcwton (FF 1086) and came to USS ALAMO from staff duty at COMMAVSURF- PAC, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.