Fletcher (DD 992) - Naval Cruise Book

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US$ FLETCHER (00-992) USS FLETCHER (DD-992) is the thirtieth SPRUANCE Class Destroyer to be designed and built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Homeported in San Diego, FLETCHER is assigned to Destroyer Squadron FIVE. The SPRUANCE Class Destroyer is unique among today ' s warships in that it is the first major class to be powered exclusively by gas turbine engines . . . four General Electric LM-25CX) engines which produce 20,000 shaft horsepower each. Twin controllable-reversible pitch propellers work in conjunc- tion with the engines to move FLETCHER through the water at speeds in excess of 30 knots and give her a degree of maneuverability unequaled by any other warship her size. Built with future growth in mind, FLETCHER ' S design is modular. This allows for easy installation of entire subsystems within the ship. This ease of installation also will allow new weapons and electronics systems to be placed on FLETCHER, thus allowing the ship to be used as a proving ground for new military technology. FLETCHER is truly a ship of the future as well as the present. Crew comfort and habitability were also prime considera- tion in FLETCHER ' S design. Berthing areas are spacious and considerable care has been taken to equip the ship with features uncommon to most destroyers. Such features include: a ship ' s libraryi a crew ' s loungei a gymnasiumi a hobby shopi and many other features which enhance crew comfort. In addition to these specifically designed-in comforts, the many automated weapons and engineering systems onboard FLETCHER aWow for reduced manning levels. This results in more space and easier living conditions for all. As a highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, FLETCHER is capable of operating independently or in company with amphibious or carrier task forces. Although equipped to handle a wide variety of mission areas, FLETCHER ' S primary mission is that of Antisubmarine Warfare. FLETCHER carries the most advanced ASW equipment in existance to facilitate her accomplishment of this complex and demanding task. The ship is equipped with a sophisticated sonar, the SQS-53, which is directly integrated with a third generation, digital computer system, the Naval Tactical Data System. In addition to her sonar, FLETCHER ' S SW weapons suit includes an Antisubmarine Rocket (ASROC) and two triple barreled Mark 32 torpedo tubes. This integrated combat system provides FLETCHER with an enhanced target information processing capability and an extremely fast threat reaction time. FLETCHER also boasts two 5 inch 54 caliber Mark 45 fully automatic gun mounts controlled by the digital Mark 86 Fire Control System. Also integrated with NTDS, these systems allow FLETCHER to excell in her secondary mission areas of Naval Gunfire Support, Surface Warfare, and Anti-Air Warfare. In conclusion, USS FLETCHER constitues a destroyerman ' s dream. She incorporates the best of modern technology. Her exceptional propulsion system and fully integrated combat system combine with her modular construction to make FLETCHER a platform not to be surpassed.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SHIP ' S HISTORY 4 CO 6 XO 7 DEPLOYMENT DAY 8 HAWAII 12 GUAM 15 SUBIC BAY 16 PROJECT HAND CLASP 20 OFFICERS 21 OPERATIONS 24 NAV X 31 RECREATIONAL THERAPY 33 KOREA 37 JAPAN 41 KEEPING FIT 44 ENGINEERING 49 SUPPLY 55 MEMORIES MILESTONES 59 HONG KONG 60 MANILA 64 KJAK NEWS 67 ESWS 68 COMBAT SYSTEMS 69 HELO DETACHMENT 75 PORT MORESBY 77 CAIRNES 79 GOLDEN SHELLBACKS 81 HOMECOMING 88 CHANGE OF COMMAND 92 ODDS AND ENDS 94 SHIPS COMPANY 95

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Ship Des ign Characteristics Built by ... Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries Complement Officers 19 CPO ' s 16 Enlisted 259 Pascagoula. Mississippi Armam ent Two 5 54 Cal. MK 45 Gun Keel Laid ... 24 April 1978 Mounts Christened ... 21 July 1979 MK 112 ASROC Launcher Commissioned .. ... 12 July 1980 Two MK 32 Torpedo Tubes Sponsor ... Mrs. Harry D. Train NATO Sea Sparrow Missiles Length ... 563 Feet Harpoon Beam ... 55 Feet Aircraft One SH-3, Two SH-2, or Two SH-60 Antisubmarine Draft ... 29 Feet Displacement ... ... 7800 Tons Helicopters Speed ... 30 + Knots Propulsion Four General Electric LM-2500 Marine Gas Turbine Engines (Total - 80.000 Shaft Horsepower) ,.«. ■• . ' •• :;— : :x«4t«