California (CGN 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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coMMAriDino officer

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USS CALirORHIA (CGn-36) Photo by LT O Mem guns, an 8 cell anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launcher, twin MK 15 Mod 6 Close-in Weapon Systems (CIU ' S), and four antisub- marine torpedo tubes. The CALIFORniA is equipped with the AH SQS 26 long range sonar. The ship carries an array of elec- tronic equipment for long and short range communications, con- trol of interceptor aircraft, air and surface target detection and track- ing, electronic warfare and naviga- tion. It is capable of simultaneous 3-dimensional warfare with Com- bat Information Center s decision makers aided by the computerized naval Tactical Data System (FiTDS). The ship ' s twin reactors give it es- sentially unlimited endurance. It can sustain high speeds for long periods of time and is capable of conducting extended operations in combat areas far from supply bases. CALirORPilA s fuel supply nill last approximately 13 years. Photo by: AE2 Jones, USS MAKS ATS 1 The si th ship to bear the state ' s name, is the first of a class of nu- ( lear-powered guided missile cruisers constiiicted in Piewport news Shipbtiilding and Drydock Co., newport news, Va. Also, it is the first nuclear-powered combat- ant to be named after a state. CALlFOHniA ' s keel was laid on Januaty 23, 1970. The ship ' s sponsor was Mrs. Richard M. nix- on, the former first lady. Mrs. nix- on christened the ship on Septem- ber 22, 1971. On Febiuary 16, 1974, CALIFORniA was commis- sioned for seiiicc in the Atlantic fleet. CALIFORniA is 596 feet in length, with a beam of 61 feet and a full- load displacement of 1 1,000 tons. The crew consists of 40 officers and 560 enlisted men. The ship s mission is to operate as part of a fast carrier task force, or independently to detect and de- stroy an) hostile force. The ship ' s armament includes two standard guided missile batteries, two-quad Harpoon (cruise missile) launch- ers, two Super Rapid Blooming Offboard Chaff (RBOO launchers, two 5 ' 54 Caliber lightweight

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CAFTAin RICHARD D. WILLIAMS, III Captain Richjnl D. iMIIianis III hciijn his nj al scnkc in 1959 what he Joined the U.S. f1j al Kesene at tlie enti ol his jiinioi year at f lessich High School in l lenipiiis Feniiessee. Me leteix eda tiS. naxal Hescn c appoint- irient to the U.S. na al .-Xcadcni} where he studied na al Science. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1964 and was commissioned an Ensign. The two years following his commissioning. Captain Williams serwd aboard the USS SEI MES (DDGI8). tic held the positions of Assistant Combat Information Otficcr Cninncn Olilccr and first I icutciianl lye fore going to the Republic ofMctnam hcre he icponcd to COASIAI. SQUAD- Ron OnE in noi ember 1966. fle uas assigned As OfliccrinCliarge of a patrol craft, fast iFCFt and spent the following year conducting Operation Market Time missions from Da Yang and Chu Lai. In January 1968 he reported to riA i ' AL STA TlOn SAn JUAh. Puerto Rico. and sened there as Security Officer until August when he was assigned to the staff of COMNAriDER. SOUTtI A TLAriTIC FORCE. Me remained with USCONSOLAriT as Aide and Flag Secretary until June 1970. He received a Master s of Science Degree in Fhysics at the Haial I ' ost Grad- uate School at Monterey. California in 1972. In 1973 he attended the navy nuclear Propulsion School in Bainbridgc, Mary land and then the nuclear Fewer Training Unit at Saratoga Springs, ncxi Yorh. In March 1974 he re- ported as Electrical OtTiccr aboard the USS LOnc BEACH (CGn-9). Two years later he went to Idaho Falls Idaho ahcrc he sc i cd until February 1978 as Executive Officer of the na y nuclear I ' onci Training Unit. In July 1978 he became Engineer Officer of ' uss DWICHT D. EISEnnOWEK (CVIi- 69), a position he held until December 1981. PHOTO BY: Sli2 FOSTER — .- • V ■ - In July 1982 Captain Williams relieicdas Commanding Officer USS CLARK iFFOl I). During his tour, USS CLARH participated in operations off Leba- non and in the Persian Gulf He reported to the USS CALIFORniA (COn-36) as relieving Commanding Officer in October 1985. PHOTO BY. LT OHERn PHOTO BY: LT O HFRn Captain Williams decorations include the Meritorious Sen ice Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, two navy Unit Commendations, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Battle Es , two naxy-Marine Corps E,xpeditionary Medals and two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals. He is married to the former Sherry Lynn Cooper of Memphis, Tennessee. They have two children, Deborah and David.