Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS CORONADO AGF 1 1 COAT OF ARMS BLAZON SHIELD: Cheeky of six or and azure, on a chief of the last three mulletes argent. CREST: On a wreath of the colors, or and azure, upon a nnound vert a coronet of the first with chapeau of the second and jewelled proper. MOTTO: On a scroll or, doubled azure, the words SEMPER DUCTOR (Always a Leader) in azure. SYMBOLISM SHIELD: The three silver stars in chief, a position of honor on the shield, represent the Vice Adnniral who serves as Commander of one of the U.S. Navy ' s four numbered fleets. Silver is used to signify integrity and strength. The divisions of the field, counter-changed gold and dark blue represent the U.S. Navy and the supported fleet commander. CREST: The City of Coronado and the explorer after whom it is named are symbolized by the jeweled coronet on the mound. The blue lining of the coronet refers to the Pacific ocean where the ship serves as flagship. California, where the City of Coronado is located, is represented by the grassy mound used on the state flag. SEAL The coat of arms in full color as In the blazon, all upon a white oval background enclosed by a dark blue border edged with gold chain and bearing the name USS CORONADO at the top and AGF 1 1 below all in gold.

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CORONADO ' s Mission The Command Ship CORONADO is one of the most capable ships in the U.S. Navy. USS CORONADO ' s mission is to provide afloat communications facilities and ship- board accomodations for a force command- er, staff and staff allowance to assist the force commander ' s mission of attaining U.S. objectives in the area to which assigned.

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USS CORONADO (AGF 11) SHIP ' S HISTORY USS CORONADO (AGF 11) is the second U.S. Navy ship named after that city in southern California bearing the name of the famous sixteenth century Spanish explorer, Francisco Vasquez CORONADO. The current USS CORONADO (AGF 1 1) was originally one of 12 Austin class amphibious transport docks, and one of six of that class fitted with an additional superstructure deck for flagship duties. CORONADO was designed an AGF (Command Ship) prior to assuming duties as Commander Middle East Force Flagship from November 1980 to June 1983. CORON ADO ' S keel was laid on 3 May 1965 at the Seattle Shipyard of the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company. In July 1970, CORONADO departed Bremerton, WA, enroute to her homeport, Norfolk, VA, and arrived 20 August after a port call in her namesake city. After completing shakedown training CORONADO commenced operations with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. From 1971 until redesignation as a Command Ship in 1980, CORONADO conducted extensive amphibious operations and deployed on numerous occasions to the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, as well as conducting one Northern Europe deployment. Highlights of this period included the first HARRIER operations on an LPD, involvement in evacuation operations in Cyprus and Lebanon in 1974 and 1976 respectively, and various awards for battle and departmental excellence. From January 1984 to March 1985, CORONADO completed a fourteen month complex overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard which resulted in significantly upgraded command and control capabilities which were fully utilized in performing duties as flagship for the Commander of the U.S. SIXTH Fleet during an extended eleven month deployment. While serving as COMSIXTHFLT flagship from September 1985 to July 1986, CORONADO visited various ports in Israel, France, Gibraltar, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Yugoslavia, Romania and Italy. CORONADO also conducted Eastern Mediterranean contingency operations and participated in four different periods of battle group operations in the vicinity of Libya. Indicative of the high tempo of CORONADO ' s operations in the 1970 ' s and 1980 ' s, CORONADO conducted it ' s 11,000 safe helicopter landing March 27th of this year. CORONADO has successfully met past challenges and is busily preparing to assume new duties as Third Fleet flagship later this year.