Camden (AOE 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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yl til THE CAMDEN INSIGNIA The insignia of CAMDEN (AOE-2) is derived from the city seal of Camden, New Jersey, the city where the ship was built and for which she Is named. The Coat of Arms in the center is a facsimile of the shield of the city seal of Camden, New Jersey. The right half contains a sailing ship, representing the city as a port of entry, and its shipbuilding industries. The left half is a replica from the Coat of Arms of Lord Camden, after whom the city was named. Flexibility, Readiness, Endurance: CAMDEN ' s motto embodies the three characteristics the ship and her crew must possess to meet the logistic support challenge the ship is designed to fulfill. The crossed sword and anchor in the background represents her crew, both officers and men. The line border circumscribing all facets of CAMDEN ' s emblem emphasizes the unity of the fleet. CAMDEN ' S M ission CAMDEN is designed to furnish rapid simultaneous replenishment of petroleum to the fleet. As one of the fastest underway replenishment ships ever built, she is able to operate with the attack carriers and replenishment ships whenever and wherever needed. The capability to keep pace with carriers in addition to replenishments, is a distinct step forward in fleet support. CAMDEN and her three sister AOE ' s substantially increase the strength and endurance of the fleet. Although this fine ship has four propulsion boilers which furnish steam to turbines originally intended for the Battleship Kentucky, it is the highly trained officers and men who make CAMDEN ' s mission successful. These professionals must know how to operate, maintain and repair everything onboard. They are required to perform their assigned duties, day or night, good weather or bad, and around the clock if necessary in order to fuel, feed, supply, rearm, and deliver the mail to the fleet. CAMDEN proudly serves under the motto: ' ' Flexibility-Readiness-Endurance ' '

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U.S.S. CRMDEN ROE-2 WESTPRC INDIRN OCERN TABLE OF CONTENTS Division Photos Ports of Call Hawaii Philippines Singapore Mombasa Australia Kris Kristofferson Wog Day Tiger Cruise The Burden Of Command Camden Religious Programs Buriel At Sea Al Masirah, Oman Deployment Sequence Project Handclasp Seventh Fleet Visit KCAM TV Radio Camden Band Steel Beaches Camden At Work Mid Deployment Arrival TAD Personnel Homecoming Cruise Book Staff

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COMMANDING OFFICER R. A. WILSON Captain Richard A. Wilson was born In San Francisco, CA, on 5 April 1941. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating and receiving his commission as an Ensign on 5 June 1963. On completion of flight training in October 1954, Captain Wilson v as designated a Naval Aviator and assigned to VF-121 at Naval Air Station Miramar, CA, to receive ready replacement training in the F-4 aircraft. In May of 1965, Captain Wilson reported to VF-96 and made two WESTPAC combat cruises aboard USS ENTERPRISE. Captain Wilson entered the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in October of 1967; upon graduation in June 1968 he was assigned as a project test pilot with the Service Test Division of the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River. Maryland. Rotating to sea duty in November of 1970, Captain Wilson served with VF-143, again flying the F-4 aircraft, for his third and fourth combat cruises aboard USS ENTERPRISE. At the end of the Vietnam Conflict In 1973, Captain Wilson attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. where he received a Master of Science Degree In Systems Acquisition Management. Completing refresher training with VF-121 in December of 1975, he reported to the Black Knights of VF-154 as Executive Officer. He assumed the duties of Commanding Officer of VF-154 in May of 1977. In August 1978. Captain Wilson reported to COMCARGRU ONE as Air Operations Officer, and subsequently deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean aboard USS MIDWAY and USS CONSTELLATION. Captain Wilson assumed command of Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN on 21 April 1981 deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS CORAL SEA. In June 1982. Captain Wilson reported to COMFITAEW- W INGPAC as Chief of Staff. Captain Wilson assumed command of USS CAMDEN (AOE-2) on 31 October 1984. Captain Wilson has accumulated over 4000 flight hours and 1017 carrier landings. He is a veteran of 347 combat missions in Southeast Asia and has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, four individual Air Medals. Twenty-One Strike Flight Air Medals, three Navy Commenda- tion Medals with Combat V . the Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross, the Navy Unit and Meritorious Unit Commendation Medals, and various theater and service ribbons. He was selected to appear in the 1970 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America in recognition of his accomplishments and service to community, country, and profession.