Cape Cod (AD 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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5 I. 1 COIVIIVIANDING oFFIcEn I i I I I To the officers and crew of the USS CAPE COD: For the six month period, November 1987 to May 1988, our fate has been bound to USS CAPE COD. Each of us has had his or her individual trials, successes and possibly failures. But as a group we made a major contribution to the defense of the United States. We returned to San Diego having avoided major mishap and I hope with a sense of having accomplished our duty. Our country could ask no more. Cape Cod was designed for the situation at Masirah. We established an island of support, a refuge for our combatants. We were directly responsible for maintaining Battle Group Alfa and Battle Group Foxtrot on station. We serviced USS lowa's Surface Action Group. We tended the need of the various replenishment ships. Thirty-one availabilities: 6,762 jobs completed, 314,059 work hours expended, countless boat transfers, helo details, assist visits, and Medical and Dental appointments. Cape Cod was all things to all ships in the North Arabian Sea, and all the time we were alert. Condition Ill watches on the guns, picket boats watched each craft .that neared us. We arrived the day after Christmas ready to WOFK and we didn't take a break until Beer Day, 1 February 1988. The memories that each of us carries of this time are our own A half year s ent a lon f h I the ears . - p g way rom ome. n y ahead as we read this cruise book we will each recall different experiences and memories. I hope it will serve as a good memor of t ' ' ' ' ' ' y messma es and shipmates with whom you ve shared this time. I hope you will remember Cape Cod warmly, as a good ship that honestly cared for its people and did her job well. As the years pass, I hope that each of you will remember that it was -our privilege to serve the greatest country on earth, that we were privileged as free men and women to add our voice to those th t I ' th f d f the seas: a proc aim e ree om o D that we were privileged to be the instrument of the United States Government at this important time when we stood wlih our free n t' t h ' ' ' ' ' ' ' a ions o say t at we will not be intimidated by threats and terrorism. I have told you often, you will never read in the San Diego Union Cape Cod makes the world safe for democracy, but rest assured that those who would opp0S9 our ideals were aware of our presence and our capabilities. Each of the ships we tended departed our side with increased readiness. This was our role, our contribution-it was a significant one, we d 'f ma e a di ference. . Lastly, I would like to personally tell each of you of my sincere pleasure at having had the opportunity to command thIS fine shi .The da s d n' ht ' ' ' p y an ig s are sometimes long for the Commanding Officer. I have shared many of your burdens, DUN have done so gladly. I have consistently been impressed with your desire to excel and the rofessionalism with which yOU have faced each task. It was my pleasure to have commanded Cape Cod during this deplgyment-The right ship, at the right place, at the right time. John C. Ruff Captain, United States NavY 8 . 1112