Galveston (CLG 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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OS DIVISION Progress is the term which best describes the history of the Signal Gang aboard the GALVESTON. The Division started to assemble in Norfolk in Jan- uary, 1958, and by March a basic nucleus of three First Class, three Second Class, two Third Class and eight Seamen had been formed. The men in this group came from many different ships and stations and brought with them different ideas on visual communi- cations and how a Signal Bridge should be run. Nall and Thomas have done a fine job in developing the Division into a working 01'gaH1Zal310H, 9-S have First Class Petty Officers Slover and Preble. By the time the ship enters the yard in 1960 most gf the Original gang will have left the ship. However, many capable new men have reported aboard, and the cycle is starting again - a new gang, new ldeas, and plenty of training. After commissioning in May, the Signal Bridge started to take shape. There wasa great deal of work to be done converting a World War II Bridge into a modern Signal Bridge. However, by the time the ship left Philadelphia the Division spaces were in good shape, and the emphasis shifted towards molding the signal gang into an efficient cohesive unit. To achieve and maintain a smooth working or- ganization requires a lot of sea duty. Thus, the Signal Gang looked forward to 1959 with expectations Throughout the year the Division developed into an increasingly effective organization, and it has proved itself in all fleet exercises. At the present time the Division can favorably compare itself to any other Signal Gang in the fleet. The advancement record for a Division this size is especially noteworthy. In the first year and a half of its existence the Division ad- vanced three men to Chief, two to First Class, four to Second Class and three to Third Class. Leadership for the OS Division has been provid- ed by the following Division Officers and Junior Divi- sion Officers: . Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Plein, Mr. Moon, Mr. Cuth- bert, Mr. Craft and Mr. Washburn. Chiefs Belicka, I

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l 1 the skill of the crew, but most important, to test the Hring Capabilities of the Talos missile. The men in Charge were good teachers, andthose who had to learn were good students. Hard times were encount- ered, errors made, but ill AQT11 Whell We feturlled to Philly, we had done a good .jobr 'fA Well Done was received from the communications oflicer. Philly, another yard period, and changes to be made. Men left, leaving us short. Then new men Came aboard, and the cycle started again. We taught these new men, and molded a new team. Then in August, 1959, to sea we went. A difficult exercise, this time with the air-force. Success! We proved we are still by far the best Navy in the world. GALVESTON is not a ship to play With, We earned our respect. Then came another rest, short but well deserved. Christmas and New Year's leave period. As always, senior men left, inexperienced men came aboard. Training continued and paid off. This brings us up to the present day. Our missile iirings went of fairly well. We are familiar with their capabilities against enemy aircraft. Now to what every man has waited patiently for, a visit to our sponsoring city, Galveston, Texas. Then on to Philly, our second home for another yard period and a well deserved rest. Who will be aboard when the ship is again ready for sea? It is hard to tell. In 21 months, 10 men are plankowners of an original radio gang of 32 men. The outcome of our iirst two years? With the help of the most modern equipment in the world, the radio gang is maintaining a constant vigil in keeping the GALVESTON in-the-know. The radio central, a battery of brains coordi- nated communications with CIC, the bridge, and the various departments of the ship. T-his is not indi- vidualityg it is teamwork, training which helps this team excel in communications. It must be reliable, have security and speed. n The GALVESTON is prepared to establish and maintain reliable communications when called upon. The basic job of the radio gang is that of passing information, whether primarily concerned with a fleet-Wide exercise, individual ship exercise or evalu- ations such as in missile test firing, Radio central S1 ighe communications coordination center for the The teletype network carries news from ashore, and Supplies the weather to the ships at sea 24 hours iday- The news? The GALVESTON goes way out als' news. All day long. Teletypewriters pounding deal' to give to the ship messages for the many partments, ,personal messages, etc. be When feasible, high seas telephone calls may ,madl-1. When the GALVESTON is a few hundred Rules Offshore, yOu may talk to the folks at home as YOU were next door. haVeAs reliable as communications are, we must also Word iecuflty- There is always the scuttlebutt 1 ut nevertheless, security is paramount. exp1a21L:fcm0tt0, Get That Message Through is .Self 0nM,S0m0E'Y, and what the radio central team thrives hegiigghee lmeiwhen passing radio central, you can a m thf1V1Hg a sound from under the ground, .. U 1 if I T - ' . xgqghgge srggyfatlqn from around the nation. There Qt X 0 present hum from the busy bees sending, -1 gl I'0ll1T1hn' +1r-nnqn +.lf1V'fX11ff1'1I111+ +110 Q'h1Tl. -47 Q .

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