Harry Hill (DD 986) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS HARRY W. HILL (DD 986) USS HARRY W. HILL (DD 986) is the twenty-fourth SPRUANCE class destroyer and the twelfth to join the Pacific Fleet. HARRY W. HILL is homeported in San Die- go and assigned to Cruiser Destroyer Group Three and Destroyer Squadron Seven. Designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula. Mississippi, HARRY W. HILL IS a member of the first major class of surface ships in the U.S. Navy to be powered by gas turbine en- gines. Four General Electric LM-2500 engines, marine versions of those used on DC-1 and C-5A aircraft, drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Twin controlla- ble-reversible pitch propellers provide HARRY W. HILL with a degree of maneuverability unique among war- ships of her size. A highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, HARRY W. HILL is capable of operating independently or in com- pany with Amphibious or Carrier Task Forces. HARRY W. HILL ' S primary mission is that of anti-submarine war- fare. Her sonar, the most advanced underwater detec- tion and tire control system yet developed, is fully inte- grated into a digital Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS), providing the ship with fast and accurate processing of target information from other ships and aircraft. Integra- tion of the ship ' s gun and missile f ' e control systems into the NTDS provides quick reaction in the performance of the ship s other warfare mission areas including amphib- ious (shore bombardment), anti-surface, and anti-air- craft. Crew comfort and habitibility are an integral part of HARRY W. HILL ' S design. Berthing compartments are spacious and the ship is equipped with amenities not usually found aboard destroyers: a crew ' s library and lounge, an electronic game and vending machine area and a gymnasium. Automated weapons and engineering systems per- mit operation of the ship, the size of a World War II light cruiser, by a crew of 23 Officers, 24 Chief Petty Officers and 293 Enlisted. HARRY W. HILL is one of the world s most modern destroyers, possessing advanced propul- sion systems and a fully integrated combat system, with space and weight reservations available to ensure a for- midable seaborne platform well into the future. Since commissioning on 17 November 1979, HAR- RY W. HILL has completed three SEVENTH FLEET De- ployments as a unit of Carrier Battle Groups and Surface Combatant Task Groups. As a unit of the Pacific Fleet ASW Squadron, HARRY W. HILL has also participated in numerous ASW operations. HARRY W. HILL has re- ceived the auspicious James F. Chezak Award, the Bat- tle Efficiency Award (twice), the Meritorious Unit Citation and a SEVENTH FLEET Unit Letter of Commendation. A major asset to the fleet. HARRY W. HILL is always pre- pared to carry out any tasking with speed, surprise and success.

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Foreword On September 16, 1988. USS HARRY W. HILL began her fourth deploy- ment, the first in four years, to one of the world ' s most treacherous regions - the Persian Gulf. Nearly two-thirds of the crew had never made a major de- ployment and only a handful of seasoned veterans remained onboard from the last deployment to lend experience and insight. The next six months would be a true test of the HARRY W. HILL and her young crew. During the time the ship was assigned to Destroyer Squadron Thirty-one, HARRY W. HILL ' S sub-hunting abilities and all around outstanding perform- ance had earned her a reputation as the finest destroyer on the San Diego waterfront. But ASW exercises off the California coast and Persian Gulf pa- trols present vastly different realities. In February 1988, the emphasis shifted from anti-submarine warfare to anti-surface and anti-air warfare. Gunnery stations utilizing 25mm and 50 cal. machine guns along with 40 cal. grenade launchers were installed to counter small boat threats. Men whose previous responsibilities had centered on ASW were now training to be top-side gunners. Plans were made for mine watches and a detachment of surface-to-air Stinger missiles to be added lat- er. During several Middle East Force exercises, the ship ' s 5 inch guns, mis- sile systems. Close In Weapons System, and newly installed top-side weap- ons were employed through a variety of possible threat scenarios. While learning to fight and defend the ship above the surface was vitally important, refresher training (REFTRA) taught the crew how to save the ship if disaster should occur. As the pieces came together, HARRY W. HILL and her crew evolved into a deadly force capable of defending itself while protecting vital interests in the Persian Gulf. In September the long months of preparation ended - we were ready. No single division or department can claim credit for the success of this mission, for without the combined efforts of all hands it would not have suc- ceeded. This book is a testimonial to a proud and proven warship and the valiant, highly professional crew that sailed her into danger and brought her safely home.

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Built By: Design Characteristics Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation, Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula. Miss. Keel Laid: 3 January 1977 Launched: 10 August 1978 Christened: 7 October 1978 Commissioned: 17 November 1979 Statistics Length: 563 feet 4 inches Beam 55 feet Displacement: 8000 tons Personnel: Ship ' s Company Officers: 26 CPO: 24 Enlisted: 270 Air Detactiment 4 1 12 Aircraft: Lamps SH-2F Helicopter Armament: Guns 2 - MK-45 5 inch (127mm) .54 Cal. Gun Mounts 2 - MK-242 25mm Rapid Fire Machine Guns 2 - MK-16 Close-in Weapon System (PHALANX) 4 - .50 Cal. Machine Guns 4 - M60 Machine Guns Main Engines: Anti-Submarine Weapons 1 - 8 cell MK-16 Anti-Submarine Rocket Launcher (ASROC) 2 - Triple MK-32 Torpedo Tubes Missiles 8 - Harpoon Missile Cannisters 1 - 8 cell Nato Seasparrow Launcher 4 - General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbine Engines 2 - Shafts 80,000 Shaft Horse Power Generators: 3 - Allison 501 -k1 7 Gas Turbine Generators 6,000,000 Watt Power Maximum Speed: 30 -t- Knots Endurance: 2,600 Nautical Miles at Maximum Speed 16,880 Nautical Miles at Trail Shaft Fuel Capacity: 512,829 Gallons