Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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Top: CAPT Schweizer addressed the distinguished guests and crews of the Puget Sound and CORONA- DO during the first flagship turnover ceremony. Right: CAPT Schweizer inspected the crew during the fall blues inspection. Bottom: CAPT Schweizer and VADM Kelso ex- changed command plaques. Ti w P ' ill i 1 1 F Ti , 1- u -1 :r ,. 1 Y. w • 4 1 ' - ' m 1 w r PI W m lfe - AL U-

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COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN EARLE G. SCHWEIZER, JR. USN CAPT Earle G. Schweizer, Jr., was born in San Diego, California, the son of Comnnander and Mrs. E.G. Schwelzer, USN (Retired). Upon graduation from high school in June 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After successfully competing for a fleet appointment and graduation from the Naval Academy Preparatory School, CAPT Schweizer entered the U.S. Naval Academy. He was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation in 1960. His first assignment was aboard USS BRADFORD (DD 545) where he served as First Lieutenant and 1st Division Officer. He next served aboard the USS HENRY W. TUCKER (DD 875) as Weapons Officer until February 1964. In March 1964 he reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, earning a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. From November 1966 until May 1969, he served as C hief Engineer on USS MAHAN (DLG 11), spending two deployments in the Western Pacific and the Gulf of Tonkin. CAPT Schweizer assumed command of the USS ENERGY (MSO 436) in July 1969 and served as Commanding Officer until December 1970. In February 1971 he became a DD 963 Assistant Project Officer on-site at Litton Ship Systems, Culver City, California. In September 1972, CAPT Schweizer assumed additional duty as Resident Supervisor of Shipbuilding, U.S. Navy, Culver City, serving in this position until January 1974. From March 1974 until June 1976, he was Executive Officer of USS JUNEAU (LPD 10). He next reported to USS CARON (DD 970) Precom Unit as Officer-in-Charge in July 1976. From September 1977 until July 1979, CAPT Schweizer served as both Commissioning Commanding Officer and Commanding Officer, USS CARON (DD 970), the eighth of the SPRUANCE Class Destroyers. In August 1979, he attended the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces graduating in June 1980. He received his M.S. in Administration from George Washington University in 1980. Prior to assuming command of USS CORONADO, CAPT Schweizer was assigned to the Naval Sea Systems Command in the Mine Warfare Project and as the AEGIS Fleet Introduction Division Director in the AEGIS Shipbuilding Project. On 1 June 1984 CAPT Schweizer assumed command of Command Ship CORONADO (AGF-1 1) mid-way thru a complex overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. His decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and Service Medals from Vietnam and Korea.

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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.