Epperson (DDE 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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Ours or theirs? Sea of japan August 1970. Tokyo Tower, ship's tour during visit to japan. in ' .ff1?fiffW3, . .aff W A x l F I I X M mir? in irst place in the motorboat races in Sea of japan with USS Mahan. Port visit to Kaohsuing, Taiwan. western pacific Cruise 1970 Cruise in capsule lFollovv the dotted line beginning in upper right hand corneri Underway replenishment in Tonkin Gulf. Wff Z W , V? X 1 ,ifffdg X Yankee Station plane guard- X ing. f f M .f 3 A 3 4 , W M., I 7 ..,v v M. . A f 4 f . ww f ' A W ff We f f., f A Russian trawler in Tonkin Gulf brings out the photographers and sightseers. 1' ' -,..ff ,1fgxf ,f yung., ,gf 0 M. l -. x ug: f-Q, Five days on the gunline. Conserve fresh water. -as x S x S S Subic Bay. x f l ff X X 1 X Plane guarding on Yankee Station i I . , , X ln the Drydock at A stop for fuel at Mid- A way Island. Travesty plays during a cookout on the dash deck. ,g - -1 W it 1. .- I z... i-at ' .s' N s w' ai sfivsifi.-rair' . 1 s we.. H . , 5 X - ,egg Q 1. J., -,-n V Q , -. e J Q1 - 5-ff:Fi1i1-'. . Y 1 3 2 ij- I p., 1 ff, i Wa- -. 4. - 1 . g. U . L ,A QQ. .4 .Q A ' 'ii tt? H gV....k.5 ,X f ix yxfiv X ul 5 we 3 r of Q X W ik i S f, 'sl -. X EX 'H Q Q he Hong Kong - FOR- EVER! X x X

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The greatest portion of EPPERSON's operation schedule was dedicated to serving as plane guard for the attack aircraft carriers on Yankee Station. In this capacity, destroyers follow astern of the mighty carriers in the event misfortune might befall one of the planes which launched and land on the carrier's deck. Destroyers also act as body guards, standing ready to repel any surface or sub- surface threat to the gigantic carrier. Plane guarding requires sure-handed ship handling as tons and tons of steel are maneuvered at dangerously close intervals and very high rates of speed. Bridge watch standers are called upon to analyze tactical signals and to execute orders on time and in a safe fashion. The ship's engineers deserve a great deal of the credit for a ship's success as plane guard. They are the ones who supply the UGO power to ensure that the ship is on station, which, when operating with the mighty attack carriers, is no easy task.