Gearing (DD 710) - Naval Cruise Book

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As the final liberty port of the cruise, Athens proved to be the most ','Arneri- Can of cities in some ways, the most unusual in others. We were greeted at Fleet Landing by a large display of flags, which turned out to be not for us but in preparation for the passing of the Olympic Torch that evening on its way to Mexico City. The ships in the harbor had ringside seats for a fireworks dis- play after the ceremony. In Athens itself, we found broad boule- vards, U.S.-size automobiles and traffic jams, and refreshing beaches to assuage the disappointment of the Riviera. Some chose to explore independently, others took advantage of several excellent tours that gave an insight to the long, important history of Athens and Greece. . The mighty Acropolis, topped by the Parthenon, dominated the city and was the most popular at- traction. In the evenings a ' ' sound and light presentation brought the mins to life once more: Longer tours ranged to Corinth and the Oracle at Delphi, perhaps the most beautiful spot in Greece. ' 0ur stay in Athens was also the culmination of over a month of work by a Navy camera crew which had been filming a television documentary on destroyermen ever since we had left Naples. Starring were four Gearing navymen, including Commander Leis. Parts of their liberty hoursein Athens were taken up with the filming of the final segments of the program. r When we finally said ' 'Goodby to Greece, it was with mixed feelings. Our next liberty port would be Newport, but that was still nearly a month away. A-,Qin xv ,s N Nb Lg - . 'H f ' W From the top of Mars hill, next to the AcrOpOl1S, Qngthgfuilnmgggi Sjlihggite of the city of Athens, including the modern O1YmP1C a ' of the ancient one. .

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The Enemy ' A destroyer operating with the United States Sixth Fleet is called upon to perform a myriad of tasks. So may utilize practically every capability the ship pos- sesses' others are endured as suspense-filled periods ! waitingy. t Fleet units. GEARING is primarily an anti-submarine vessel, so the most common adversary encountered during the many exercises is the submarine. The sensors, abilities, and even weapons of a United States submarine are pitted against those of a destroyer. The tried and true tactics of Anti-Submarine Warfare are rehearsed over and over, while new ASW concepts are tried under realistic con- watching, or providing services for other Sixth ditions. ' Certainly the heart of the Sixth Fleet is the aircraft carrier. Much of the deployed destroyer's time is spent operating with one of two attack carriers, acting as an ASW scr en, life-guarding While the carrier carries out flight operations, or participating in the large-scale exercises that are scheduled from time to time. Mean- while, the carrier provides air protection, mail and trans- portation services, and occasionally even fuel. The five-inch guns on board GEARING are used both against surface targets and for short-range Anti-Air Warfare. Sometimes the practice targets are cloth sle- The Friend The Target tives towed by aircraft. A safer, more practical target is the drone aircraft, launched from any ship of at least destroyer size. Exercises in this, well as surface and shore-fire bomllafdment, are provided from time to time. EIS Arg? Mediterranean is not an u lcan sea, though we do main- result it. ll Fleet there. As a unit if IS not uncommon to sight .S O other nations, including the potential enemi e s. Both tam the Sixt UHVICS Of sid imie take advantage of close. prox- It . . fomlyifgatheriny intelligence in the 0 Plctures, written observation experience. The very reports: and presence . tions of SO many different na- Warshion Phe Sea with merchant and ohh PS IS 21 tribute to the freedom C Se ' - . the ' Ei which IS a cornerstone in mis . NavY' Sion of the United States and Of GEARING. The Real Thing