Estes (AGC 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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l-' E A 5 S 9 1 1 2 I I LCDR AJ. GLIMORE OPERATlONS OFFICER ekwfas-is 2 Similar to the Deck Department, Operations has its traditional and even ancient aspects. The signalmen, for instance, take great pride in the smart performance of such historic communications skills as semaphore, flaghoist, and flashing light, and rightly so, for these methods have retained an important place in nautical communications. But probably nowhere on the ship is the possession of the latest up-to-date equipment, and the necessity for personnel skilled in its maintenance and operation so important as in the Operations Department. In this regard, detection devices such as radar and ECM equipment are especially crucial. Being a flagship, our Operations Department is a particularly complex one. Estes is literally crammed to the gunwales with electronics gear and the superstructure is a maze of antennas. Consequently, to ensure the proper functioning of this equipment, Operations employs a relatively high percentage of specially trained-personnel. This cruise was invaluable in that it provided a unique opportunity, particularly during the operations, to ascertain the capabilities of our present equipment and to exercise the crew in its maintenance and operation. Therefore, although those long monotonous watches underway may have seemed insignificant enough at the time, in the last analysis, it is the cumulative experience gained by each of us during all the hundreds of hours on a radar scope or communications circuit that enables Estes to do her part in retaining world supremacy for the United States and peace throughuot the world.

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The OA Division of Estes is composed primarily of personnel in the Lithographer. Draftsman, and Photographer ratings. Aerographers are also included in the division for administrative purposes during the periods a flag is not embarked. Shops maintained and manned by these ratings include the photo lab, blueprint, drafting, map reproduction, and print shops. The weather and balloon shacks are operated by the aerographers, who goodnaturedly accept the nick -name of Puzzled Prognosticatorsf' misappropriately but gleefully bestowed by their shipmates. Basically, the function of the OA Division aboard an AGC is the rapid and accurate reproduction of operation orders, aerial reconnaissance photos, maps, charts, etc., in the quantity and quality required to land the landing force. Other less glamorous but important functions include the printing of ream after endless ream of special request chits, laundry chits, and the inevitable officers roster. These, to mention only a few, and the nerve-wracking diplomacy of telling a gold- encrusted customer we H iust aren't good enough to print a bleed-page with a one-inch white border, make up a typical working day for the OA Division sailor. fx X cccc ,,,, E X . ' ,iwwm rmtwm L A lLeft to Rightl: D.A. Norton, LTJG G.P. Gateien, R.S. Palmer, A.C. Gorton, R. Estrada, L.A. Rogers, R.E. McKinney .l.L. Mendenhall, R. Duke, D.R. Butler, J.H. Andersen, R.W. Middaugh, V.O. Walton, D.W. Shrout, R.J. Waliszewski, H.P. Ellis, W.J. Conners, P.D. Connell, B.D. Chief, B.D. WynDham.