Firedrake (AE 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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e-„ USS HANCOCK CVA-19 What types of ships receive this deadly, destructive cargo? Our largest and most important customer is the aircraft carrier, a magnificent city of steel, a floating airfield — sensitive, versatile, and potent. Perched on her flat giant deck and hidden in her behemoth hangars are her swift aircraft. They will ruthlessly pound vital Viet Cong positions and infiltration routes with bombs delivered efficiently by FIREDRAKE. To carry out its mission as a lethal weapon, an airplane must be loaded with bombs, rockets, missiles and projectiles. Providing those weapons is our mission in the fleet and the purpose of the rendezvous. CARRIERS THIS CRUISE: USS KITTY HAWK iCVA-63) USS BON HOMME RICHARD I CVA-31 USS HANCOCK (CVA-19 USS RANGER 1CVA-6I) USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14) USS ENTERPRISE CVA(N)-65) USS HORNET CVS-12

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DESTROYER CUSTOMERS: USS BAINBRIDGE (DLG(N)-25) USS WADDELL (DDG-24) USS JOSEPH STRAUSS (DDG-16) USS EDSON iDD-946) USS BARRY iDD-933) USS HAWAKINS (DD-873) USS HAROLD J. ELLISON I DD-864 1 USS MASON .DD-852) USS RUPERTUS iDD-851 ) USS SMALL iDD-838i USS CARPENTER i DD-825 USS HIGBEE DD-806 USS HARRY E. HUBBARD DD-748i USS SAMUEL N. MOORE iDD-747) USS BRUSH iDD-745) USS INGRAHAM (DD-694) USS WEDDERBURN (DD-684) USS VANCE tDER-387) Although ammunition replenishment is our spe- ciality, FIREDRAKE is often called upon by operal ing units unable to satisfy their needs during extended periods a) sea. Thus we transfer oil and water, deliver passengers, Heel freight, Christma trees or anything else vitally needed by our sistei units of the SEVENTH Fleet; and we ' re always willing td lend a welcome hand. SHIPS ALONGSIDE: USS TOPEKA (CLG-8) USS MARS (AFS-1 I USS HALEAKALA (AE-25) USS NAVASOTA (AO-106) USS CALIENTE (AO-53) USS GUADALUPE (AO-32) USS IMPLICIT iMSO-455) USS ESTEEM (MSO-438) USS WEISS (APD-135) Although comparatively small in size and less demanding of us, the destroyer is an impor- tant customer. She provides invaluable assistance to the U. S. and South Vietnamese ground forces routing the Viet Cong from their jungle hiding places by providing Naval gunfire support along the coastline of South Vietnam. She peppers the verdant jungle with shells from her potent 5 guns. She bows, swoops and skims gracefully over the seas, trailing her carrier charge like a loyal puppy. Sometimes she assumes the responsibility of lifeguard for men pre-occupied with transferring ammunition, and at other times she is at the receiving end to satisfy her own munitions requirements. —■ .