Coontz (DDG 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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23 ' if iff 1 OFFICER Cmdr. Charles H. Gnerlich On February 5th, 1987, USS Coontz sailed CASREP-free and fully ready to carry out her mission in the Middle East Proudly flying the pennant of CommodoreYonl-ters, Commander of Destroyer Squadron Fourteen, our deploy- ment was the culmination of many months of hard work and careful planning by the entire crew Throughout the transit and Middle East Force operations each of you has performed professionally bnnging additional credit to warship Coontz Although the separation from family and friends was difficult the Job you have done is important, in temis of suppon: from our friends and allies and in showing our commit ment to the free use ofthe seas in a troubled part of the world The best and only way to demonstrate our resolve is witl1 the unique presence ofa power- ful warship such as Coontz. In spite of the very real need for the U.S. to be in the Persian Crulf, the separation was hard on each of us and our families. The long transit and remoteness of the Persian Gulf made the six months away from home seem even longer I hope that this CTLIISCDOOK will be a treasured memento of this important event and the role that each of you played in the ship s success I hope it will help your families to understand their sacnfice Command of Coontz has been a distinct honor the high point of my professional life l wish each of you the very best of what life has to offer and especially the traditional Navy toast of 'Fair winds and following seas.' ' '. ' mjraw . . 1 ' . - I I llrw .. --. 'I . I l , .-. 5 . V I

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I. ici xr X OFFICER X x CDR. WILLIAM WILSCN CUBE, JR. Coontz completed a long and arduous crulse to the Persian Crulfas a member ofthe lvllddle East Force Although we had no llberty ports ln sux months each one of you perfomled your dutles flawlessly and courageously m the face of constant tension and danger As your commandrng ollicer I am humbled by your performance your good grace and humor ln keepmg Coontz at the forefront of Atlantic Fleet gunded mlssrle destroyers Of special note to me was the oourage and profes slonal dedlcatlon dlsplayed by each of you 1n the wake ofthe Stark tragedy Whether sennng as mem bers of the Coontz Ere parties that battled fires ln Stark for over 18 hours or ln the Coontz Honor Guard that the entire world saw at Bahrain lntema tlonal Alrport each of you can be proud of your superb efforts Superb too wasyour day tofday professlonallsm whlch enabled us to be 1000!0 ready to shoot guns or mlsslles at all tlmes and mth the propulsion necessary to get there to do lt. All of us matured m this cruise and we agam releamed the pnce of defendmg freedom Through lt all you have glven me your best. You are the best l ve seen ln my 19 years of commissioned semce l am proud to be your shlpmate Musa 'san via'