Briscoe (DD 977) - Naval Cruise Book

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ui % . Commander NEIL F. BYRNE United States Navy Commander Neil F. Byrne was born in New York City on 2 April 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in May 1961 and served on active duty from 1965 to 1967. In 1969, he graduated from Adelphi University and was commissioned from DCS in 1970. From 1970 until 1972, Commander Byrne served as CIC Officer and then as ASW Officer in USS BROWNSON (DD-868). After graduating from the Naval Destroyer School, he was assigned to USS SAMPSON (DDG-10) in which he served as Operations Officer from 1 973 to 1 975. From 1 975 to 1 977, he served as Chief Engineer in USS FAIRFAX COUNTY (LST-1193). In 1977 he assumed duties as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to COMCRUDESGRU-3. From 1979 to 1982, Commander Byrne was on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare) as Executive Assistant of the Planning and Steering Advisory Group and as Program Manager of the NAVTAG Training System. Commander Byrne served as Commanding Officer of USS BRONSTEIN (FF-1037) from 1983 to 1985. From 1985 to 1986 he served on the staff of Commander Second Fleet as Strike Operations and Surface AAW Officer. He as- sumed command of USS BRISCOE (DD-977) on 26 No- vember 1986. Commander Byrne ' s decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star (in lieu of second award) and the Navy Achievement Medal, as well as unit and campaign awards. Commander Byrne is married to the former Mary Elizabeth Venzke. They have two children. i I

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USS BRISCOE USS BRISCOE {DD-977) is the fifteenth SPRUANCE class destroyer and is a member of the United States ' Atlantic Fleet. She was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and was commissioned on June 3rd, 1978 The ship is named for Admiral Robert Pearce Briscoe who during his 41 -year naval career commanded several task forces in the Pacific during World War II, commanded the Seventh Fleet during the Korean War and finally served as Commander-in-Chief of NATO ' s forces in Southern Europe. USS BRISCOE is manned by 290 men including 20 officers and 20 chief petty officers. She is 564 feet long and displaces 8300 tons (the largest destroyer design in the world). In spite of her size, BRISCOE ' S crew is no larger than those of smaller destroyers because of the extensive automation employed in her various systems. The ship is powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines which produce 80.000 shaft horsepower, driving two con- trollable reversable pitch screws which give her a maximum speed of over 30 knots. Electricity is provided by three gas turbine generators, each producing 2000KW of power. She is capable of rapid acceleration and long endurance, and performs superbly whether operating independently or as a member of a battle group. The ship is a versatile, multi-mission workhorse designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). With her advanced underwater detection and targetting systems and sophisticated noise-reduction, BRISCOE is able to lo- cate and destroy the newest submarines any potential enemy can put to sea, and can provide naval gunfire support to forces ashore, engage surface targets at long ranges, and defend herself well against air attack. She is equipped with the Navy Tactical Data System, a modern communications suite, and several electronic warfare systems which enable her crew to rapidly evaluate and act on urgent combat information. BRISCOE is equipped with two 5-inch 54 caliber MK45 guns, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, an eight-cell MK112 ASW rocket launcher (with reloads), two triple MK32 torpedo tubes (with reloads), an eight-cell NATO Sea Sparrow anti-air missile launcher (with reloads) and two MK15 Vulcan-Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems. Up to two ASW helicopters can be operated from her deck. BRISCOE is often considered a Jack of All Trades , but she is nonetheless the master of many. This is BRISCOE ' S third Mediterranean deployment. She has also conducted a Middle East Force deployment, participated in Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada, and deployed as a member of NATO s Standing Naval Force Atlantic. DD-977 i

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LCDR RAFAEL L. POLO, USN Executive 0££icer Command Master Chiefs EMCM LANNIE LANDRY and YNCM JOE WILLIAMS