Arthur W Radford (DD 968) - Naval Cruise Book

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COAT OF ARMS The Coat of Arms of USS ARTHUR W. RAD- FORD (DD 968) is highly symbolic of the ship ' s namesake. Admiral Arthur W. Radford, and his uncompromised devotion to this country ' s national defense. The gold wings allude to Admiral Radford, a pioneer in aviation, who won his wings in 1920 and subsequently served two tours in the Navy Depart- ment ' s Bureau of Aeronautics. The wings and ship ' s bow together refer to his command of Carri- er Divisions II and 6, Pacific, in World War II. The four five-point stars crosswise on the blue of the ship ' s bow indicate his promotion to the rank of Admiral and his appointment as Commander in Chief Pacific, and United States Pacific Fleet pri- or to and during Korean hostilities. The red torii symbolizes both World War II and the Korean War. The three divisions of shield, itself a symbol of protection, refer to air, land, and sea armed forces, and allude to the fundamental and guiding princi- ples of Admiral Radford ' s beliefs and constant concern — the defense of freedom through nation- al strength, and national security through pre- paredness. This dominant dedication to country is reflected in Admiral Radford ' s appointment in 1953 as the first naval officer to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his reappointment for a second term. This is symbolized by the canton of defense blue bearing the four gold unsheathed swords, and is displayed on the shield as an aug- mentation of honor . Admiral Radford ' s naval career may be summa- rized by three words: Patriotism, Perservcrance, and Preparedness. These traits, which he both lived and taught, are shown by the Navy blue motto scroll lined with white located beneath the shield. UNITAS 02

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UNITAS XXVIII USCOMSOLANT HSL-32 UNITAS Ol

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RADFORD ' S HISTORY USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 96S). the second Spruancc Class destroyer to join the Atlantic Fleet, is assigned to Destroyer Squadron TUM and was designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD is a versatile, multi-mission ship de- signed to operate with equal effectiveness either alone or with carrier battle groups. She is also an outstanding platform for shore bombardment, am- phibious assault support, or any other traditional destroyer role. .ARTHUR W. RADFORD was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare and has one of the most advanced underwater detection and fire control systems yet developed. She is a large ship (more than twice as large as WWII destroyers) and can carry a formidable array of weapons and electronic equipment long distances at high speeds. USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD is a member of the first class of major combatant ships in the U.S. Navy to be powered with marine gas turbine engines. Four gas turbines produce more than 20.000 horsepower each to drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. The twin controllable, revers- ible pitch propellers give the ship an exceptional degree of maneuverability. The main ASW sensor of USS ARTHUR W RADFORD — her subma- rine surveillance and detection sonar — is located in the large dome at the bow of the ship. With its higher power and improved signal processing equipment the sonar is the first in the Navy to be linked directly to digital computers, thus ensuring swift, accurate processing of target information. The armament aboard USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD consists of two 5 guns. Anti-submarine Rocket Launcher (ASROC). torpedo tubes, and heli- copters for ASW detection and long range weapons delivery. .Additionally. N.A TO Seasparrow missiles give protection against anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The Harpoon Weapons System is a long range anti-ship missile svstem capable of over the horizon strikes. ' In September 1979. USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD completed her first Mediterranean deployment. While deployed, she participated in the lleet exercises Dawn Patrol. Trident, and Nation Week A ' .VV . During the latter exercise, she fired a Harpoon missile in the Mediterranean, scoring a direct hit on a target over sixty miles away, she also made port visits to France. Spain. Ilalv. Egvpl. and Yugoslavia. In June 1980. ' USS ARTHUR W RADFORD deployed toSouth Ameri- ca as flagship for USCOMSOLANT during UNITAS XXI conducting joint exercises with South American Navies followed by v s fx to four countries in West .Africa. In October I9SI. the ship entered Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula. Missis- sippi for her regular overhaul. It was here she received additional armament and survivabiltiy modifications. The ship completed overhaul in February I9S2. two months ahead of schedule. The ship deployed to the Mediterranean in .April of 1983. and subsequent- Iv fired over 125 rounds of 5 ordinance during actual Naval GunFire Support Operations. USS ARHTUR W. RADFORD was awarded the Navy i ' nit Commendation for support of the .Multi-national Force stationed ashore in Beirut. Lebanon. In Februarv 1985. USS ARHTUR W RADFORD deployed to the Persian Gulf and acted as flagship for COMIDEASTFOR While deployed, the ship was witness to the so called Tanker Wars where in aircraft from Iran and Iraq routinely attacked merchant ships in the Gulf The ship returned to Norfolk, Virginia in August 1985. Subsequent to the 1985 deployment. USS ARTHUR W RADFORD participated in numerous tactical exercises, and under went an extensive upgrade of ship ' s systems during an SRA period in early 1986. From July to September 1986. she went through an intensive REFTRA at Guantanamo Bav. Cuba with a follow-up visit to Fort Lauderdale. Florida. During October of 1986. USS ARTHUR W RADFORD was assigned to Commander Caribbean Squadron. U.S. Coast Guard as flagship for the anti-drug operation Checkmate 7 . This ship was subsequently awarded the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. Just prior to UNIT.AS XXVIII. she participated in a major FLEETEX. .ASW Schoolship training, and Supporting .Arms Coordination Exercises, all of which took place in the Caribbean during early 1987. UNITAS 03