Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

VICE ADMIRAL FRANK B. KELSO, COMMANDER U.S. SIXTH FLEET Vice Admiral Frank B. Kelso, II, a native of Fayetteville, Tennessee, attended the public school system there and The University of the South in Sew anee, Tennessee prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. Following graduation from Annapolis in 1956, he served on the cargo ship USS OGLETHORPE prior to attending Submarine School in 1958. On completion of training he was assigned to the Submarine USS SABALO before returning to the Submarine School for nuclear power training in January 1960. Upon completion of that training, he served one year in the Nuclear Power Department at the school. Subsequent tours included the precommissioning crew of USS POLLACK, Engineering Officer on USS DANIEL WEBSTER and Executive Officer of USS SGULPIN. From January 1969 to August 1971 he served as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland. Following tours included Commanding Officer, USS FINBACK; staff of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commanding Officer, USS BLUEFISH. Vice Admiral Kelso was then assigned as Executive Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief Atlantic and U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic from September 1975 to July 1977. He then served as Commander, Submarine Squadron Seven until reporting as Division Director, Submarine Distribution Division in the Naval Military Personnel Command and Sectio n Head of the Submarine Programs Section in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel and Training) in September 1978. He was selected for promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral in February 1980. Upon selection for flag rank. Vice Admiral Kelso served as Director, Strategic Submarine Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. His most recent assignment was Director, Office of Program Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy. On February 8, 1985, Vice Admiral Kelso became Commander Sixth Fleet. Vice Admiral Kelso has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals.

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The United States Sixth Fleet is responsible for establishing and maintaining control of the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent areas in the event of conflict. The forces assigned to Commander Sixth Fleet are divided into Task Forces and include a battle group, amphibious forces, support ships, land-based surveillance aircraft and nuclear powered submarines. These units form a balanced fleet that is capable of supporting the national interests of the United States, its allies and friends. The United States has maintained a naval force in the Mediterranean since the early 19th century, a commitment which continued through the unsettled years following World War I. During World War II, a greatly increased U.S. naval force engaged the enemy at sea and supported the Allied invasion of North Africa, the landings in Sicily and Anzio and the liberation of Souther France. In the succeeding years, a constant U.S. naval presence in the Mediterranean became a fundamental part of the defense strategy of the United States and a permanent commitment to the defense of Western Europe. It is an outgrowth of the post-World World II Truman Doctrine, which offered American assistance to free people who were threatened by subversion or external aggression. This policy was implemented on the economic front by the Marshall Plan and on the military front by expanding U.S. forces abroad and by the system of alliances, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As the number of U.S. Navy units in the Mediterranean grew, they were first termed U.S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean, then in 1947 redesignated Sixth Task Fleet, and finally, in 1950, U.S. Sixth Fleet. During this period, the missions assigned these forces became broader and they became a permanent part of the Mediterranean scene, constantly visiting friendly ports and conducting training exercises with other navies. Today, the U.S. Sixth Fleet works closely with the military forces of the Mediterranean allies and friends to ensure their continued security. The threats posed by political turbulence, the Soviet presence and the increasing Western dependence on the trade transported via Mediterranean sea lanes, make this military cooperation m ore necessary than ever. Emblazoned on a ribbon of the Sixth Fleet seal are the words, Power for Peace. This short phrase perhaps best sums up the mission of the Sixth Fleet: deterrence. The fact that the Fleet is in place, ready and willing to meet force and aggression with equal or greater force gives pause to even the most reckless of potential adversaries. If, however, deterrence should fail, the mission of the Sixth Fleet is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea. The first responsibility in meeting this tasking would be to gain, and then maintain, control of the areas essential to our sea lines of communication. At the same time, we would provide support to any on-going land battle, primarily the elimination of any enemy naval forces which could hinder the allied land campaign. The projection of power ashore to further support ground forces would also likely be necessary. However, it is hoped that our capability to control the sea and project power ashore, and the knowledge that the Sixth Fleet has that capability and is willing to use it, will deter any enemy from aggression. To carry out this mission, the Sixth Fleet normally is composed of approximately 20 combatant ships, eight support ships and about 100 aircraft. These ships and aircraft are manned by about 20,000 officers and enlisted men and women.

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LCDR J.W. GARRISH EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR R.H. HANSEN CHAPLAIN - 8 LT T.O. HASTINGS CHIEF ENGINEER CORONADO OFFICERS LCDR D.E. PHILLIPS OPERATIONS LT D.L. COTNER AIR LT R.L CORIASCO ADMINISTRATION LT R.S. FREDERICK NAVIGATOR K.J. EDWARDS MEDICAL LT R.W. BANGERT FIRST LIEUENTANT LT B.C. McCLEOD DENTAL