Chandler (DDG 996) - Naval Cruise Book

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c H A N D L E R USS CHANDLER (DDG-996) is the third ship of the Heet to bear the CHANDLER name, and the fourth and final ship of the powerful KIDD Class of Guided Missile Destroyers. Named CHANDLER in honor of Rear Admiral Theodore Chandler. USN. who died as a result of wounds received in combat aboard his flagship USS LOUISVILLE (CA-23) January 6. 1 945. during the battle of Lingayen Gulf. A Japanese suicide plane crashed into the bridge of his ship, dousing it with burn- ing fuel. Admiral Chandler, though badly burned, remained at his post and fought the ship until the danger was past. He died of his wounds the following day. CHANDLER ' S motto Ad Mortem Fidelis -Faithful unto Death, is bestowed in honor of his heroic actions. CHANDLER is one of the most powerful destroyers in the world. Combining the speed and multi-role combat capability of a destroyer with the Anti-Air-Warfare reach and striking power of a cruiser, she is designed to operate in a multi-threat envi- ronment, countering air. surface, and subsurface threats simul- taneously. Her crew and weapon systems, combined with the enhanced weapons and electronics capability of the New Threat Upgrade make her a formidable opponent. In January 1 984, CHANDLER made her first Western Pacific Deployment as a member of Battle Group BRAVO, returning to San Diego in August. In January 1 985. CHANDLER joined the Rampant Lions of Destroyer Squadron TWENTY ONE. Her second Western Pacific deployment commenced on 17 March 1986. during which CHANDLER spent two months in the Per- sian Gulf as a member of the U.S. Navy ' s Middle East Force (MIDEASTFOR). returning to San Diego on 9 September 1 986. For the competitive cycle ending 30 June 1 986. CHANDLER was the winner of the Destroyer Squadron TWENT ' Y ONE Bat- tle Efficiency Competition. On 16 April 1 988. CHANDLER completed her third deploy- ment to the Western Pacific, including three and one half months assigned to the Middle East Force in the Persian Gulf at the height of the Iran-Iraq war. During this time, CHANDLER observed many belligerent engagements and supported several U.S. -flagged tanker convoys. She also served as the flag ship for COMDESRON TWENTY THREE, who commanded the Per- sian Gulf Escort Force. In September 1 988. CHANDLER and Sea Snake 23 of HSL THIRTY THREE Detachment SIX received the Navy ' s Humanitarian Service Medal for the dra- matic December 1987 rescue of 41 crew members of the burn- ing Cypriot super tanker PIVOT, a victim of an Iranian attack. In July 1 989. CHANDLER joined Destroyer Squadron THIR- TY THREE and began an extensive New Threat Upgrade over- haul at Todd Pacific Shipyard in Seattle. Washington. Comple- tion of the overhaul in October 1990 drastically improved CHANDLER ' S Combat Systems capabilities, during the highly successful Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trial (CSSQT). achieving numerous firsts for newly developed high tech weapons systems. CHANDLER The New Threat is back. LENGTH 563 FEET BEAM 55 FEET DRAFT 34 FEET DISPLACEMENT 10,000 TONS COMPLEMENT 24 OFFICERS. 320 ENUSTED SPEED 30+ KNOTS AIRCRAFT ONE SH-3 OR TWO SH-2 HEUCOPTERS ARMAMENT TWO MK 26 GUIDED MISSILE I UNCHERS HARPOON MISSILE SYSTEM SM-1 AND SM-2 AAW MISSILES ANTI-SUBMARINE ROCKETS (ASROC) MK 46 MOD 5 TORPEDOES TWO 5 54 CAL. GUN MOUNTS TWO PHALANX CLOSE-IN WEAPON SYSTEMS PROPULSION FOUR LM2500 MARINE GAS TURBINE ENGINES (TOTAL — 90,000 SHAFT HORSEPOWER)

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COAT OF ARMS USS CHANDLER (DDG-996) THE SHIELD ... Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associ- ated with the Navy and symbolize the sea and excel- lence. The wavy Chevron, compass rose and pheons symbolize the northward sweep through the Philippines, in which Rear Admiral Theodore Edson CHANDLER participated and which ended, for him, in Lingayen Gulf where he earned, for extraordinary heroism, the Navy Cross, represented by the convex cross patee. The pheons and compass rose also denote the guided mis- sile striking capabilities of a Kidd Class destroyer. MOTTO ... AD MORTEM FIDELIS is the CHANDLER family motto. The translation, FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, aptly describes Rear Admiral CHANDLERS extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in giving his life to save his ship. It also summarizes the commit- ment of each CHANDLER sailor to endure the burden of maintaining his freedom and that of his loved ones and countrymen. THE CREST... The rampant demi-lion, a symbol of courage and fighting spirit represents Admiral CHANDLER ' S extraor- dinary heroism. The fountain denotes Lingayen Gulf, the wall and flames the firey bridge of the flagship, LOUISVILLE, from which Admiral CHANDLER contin- ued directing the pre-invasion bombardment support units after the the suicide bomber had crashed the flag bridge. He remained stout-hearted and in- domitable among the flames. MISSION ... Required to operate offensively, in the pres- ence of air, surface, and subsurface threats with carrier strike forces or amphibious assault forces; to provide protec- tion to these forces, and to anti-submarine forces, underway replenishment groups and military and mercantile convoys, against subsurface or surface threats; and to provide gunfire support to amphibious land campaigns.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) FPO SAN FRANCISCO 96662- 1 268 in reply refer to: 29 June 1992 To the Officers and Crew of USS CHANDLER: Upon the completion of CHANDLER ' S fourth overseas deployment, I hope this cruise book will record and recall your many accomplishments, achieve- ments, and adventures which we have shared. CHANDLER ' S impressive record of combat readiness while forward deployed was a direct result of your untiring dedication, pride, and professionalism. I hope this cruisebook will capture not only the liberty ports and good times we enjoyed, but these accomplishments as well. Your performance as individuals and as a crew was outstanding throughout. The Operations and Combat Systems Departments maintained maximum readi- ness during months of high tempo operations in the volatile Arabian Gulf. From reliable communications and accurate navigation to continuous combat system availability, perfection was your standard. The Engineers maintained and, when required, repaired our complex propulsion plant, ensuring CHANDLER was always ready to meet all commitments. The Supply Department provided invalu- able support by anticipating our pre-deployment requirements, acquiring all repair parts and by providing outstanding hotel services to satisfy our daily needs. Your performance underway was complemented by a most impressive record on liberty ashore. As ambassadors of our country, your behavior was highly commendable and made the deployment that much more enjoyable for every- one. As a result, your reputation for personal and professional excellence has been greatly enhanced. It now extends well beyond San Diego; in fact, beyond the United States. Our namesake, RADM Theodore Chandler, would be most proud, as am I. As this will be my only deployment on CHANDLER, I want to congratulate each and every one of you for your high standards of loyalty, performance, pro- fessionalism, and support. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Command- ing Officer and shipmate. Sincerely, WILLIAM G. WHEELER Commander, U.S. Navy