Iowa (BB 61) - Naval Cruise Book

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Six Months inthe Life of Table 01 Contents 4 Commanding Officer 6 Executive Officer 8 Command Master Chief 10 The Cruise 26 Naples 8 36 Istanbul 48 Nat'l Week 58 Blue Nose 86 Shellback 121 Bob Hope 126 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders 142 On Station 150 Homecoming 155 The Crew L- 'x

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Although the hard work continued, IOWA took time out of her busy schedule to make a brief port visit in Trondheim, Norway. Many sailors vis- ited Norwegian homes, taking advan- tage of the hospitality they were of- fered. Also, for an opportunity of a lifetime, over 6,000 Norwegians en- dured long lines in the bitter cold to walk the decks of the Big Stick. Departing Norway Nov. 8, IOWA continued her journey to the Mediter- ranean, and eventually the Indian Ocean. On Nov. 11, IOWA stopped in Rota, Spain to onload supplies. While in Rota, IOWANS were allowed to visit the base exchange to restock sup- plies. Before sailing for the next phase of this deployment, IOWA headed for Marseille. Marseille was a key port call of this deployment. Much of the time spent there was devoted to making material improvements in order to maximize lOWA's capabilities in her upcoming Indian Ocean mission. However, it was also a chance to give her sailors a little more rest before proceeding to the Middle East. This visit also proved beneficial to the community of Mar- seille. It gave them their first opportu- nity to get a look at a battleship. IOWA hosted yet another reception in Marseille. Proving they had the right stuff, IOWANS carried out their duties flawlessly. The American Counsel General was extremely im- pressed and the Mayor requested that IOWA visit again. Prior to depart- ing Marseille, the Marine Corps added another year to its life. IOWA marines celebrated the occasion with a birth- day dinner, which they shared with some of lOWA's sailors. On Thanksgiving Day, IOWA took her place in line for the day-long tran- sit of the Suez Canal. Knowing ship- mates would be yearning for some of that home-style cooking on this spe- cial day, lOWA's chefs prepared a feast like only Mom could cook. There was turkey, dressing and all the trim- mings. There were a variety of des- serts, including pumpkin pie. Decora- tions on the mess decks gave that festive spirit that could only be found at home. Still headed for her station in the North Arabian Sea, IOWA knew that long and grueling times awaited her. The days got hotter, the working hours longer. In a few hours, IOWA was on station in the North Arabian Sea. lOWA's reason for enterting this theatre was not to present a threat to anyone, but to ensure the protection of U.S. flagged shipping. Like all combatant ships entering this region before her, IOWA re- mained on station waiting for her call to duty. When that day come, IOWA was ready and her crew eager. When the alarm sounded General Quarters, they knew it was time. It was finally lOWA's turn to take position and en- sure no harm came to the reflagged Kuwaiti tankers flying Old Glory . The nights were long but the crew remained alert. Not wanting anything to happen to their shipmates, lowans went in prepared for the worst, always hoping they would never be required to use the training they had received for this mission. On these night missions, no one slept. After each mission, a tired crew would effortlessly climb into their racks for a brief rest before resuming the normal work day. They were tired, true, but pleased knowing they had performed another successful escort mission. This scene would be repeat- ed three more times before IOWA fi- nally exited the North Arabian Sea heading for the Mediterranean, and on her journey home. The tensions were gone as IOWA departed this troubled region for the last time. Spirits were up because Io- wans realized they had carried out all assignments and would soon be re- united with family and friends day they had long awaited. lOWA's Welfare and Recreation Department stayed busy keeping the crew entertained during the deploy ment. They organized everything from Bingo to basketball tournaments to talent shows. There were boxing smokers, triathlons, and decathlons Thanks to a lot of effort by Welfare and Recreation personnel, Valentines Day was hailed as Super Sunday. It started with boxing smokers on the fantail followed by a Steel Bench Picnic. At 7 p.m., the granddaddy of all Bingo parties was held on the mess decks. This would also be the day lowans would prove how generous they were It was a day that would live in infamy High stepping lowans would walk right out of the Persian Gulf to the tune of S20,000. That was the amount contributed to this years Team Walk America by a bunch of warm hearted guys. An event coor dinated by BMCM QSWJ Bobby Scott Team Walk gets larger every year Scott set Teamwalk's goal this year at 810.000, a total which proved to be far too small for these generous Americans. Although eager to get home, IOWA had one more stop to look forward to After 83 continuous days underway IOWA entered Flota, Spain on Feb 26, for last minute repairs and for some much needed relaxation The crew was then raring to go IOWA took to the sea on the morning of Feb. 29 on the final leg of her jour ney. IOWA arrived at Pier 11 on Thurs day, March 10 at 9:30 a.m. Yes, IO WA's motto was once again a reality The Big Stick is Back! - a lOWA's Command Master Chief,

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Captain Seaquist has also com- manded USS BEACON lPG 991, USS BRONSTEIN lFF 1037l, and USS DA- VID R. RAY QDD 9711. His earlier sea duty included tours as Assistant Navi- gator in USS NORTHAMPTON CCC tl, Anti-submarine Warfare Officer in USS DAMATO QDD 8711, and Weap- ons Officer in USS O'HARE tDD 8893. Ashore, Captain Seaquist's most recent assignments focused on the Maritime Strategy, first as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations' Stra- tegic Studies Group 11983-84l based at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, then as Director of the Strategic Concepts Group QOP-6031 within the Office of the CNO in the Pentagon. Prior assignments in . . . 1 .., -. . Q---'-ff--f:'v -- CAPT LARRY SEAQUIST Commandin fffcer Washington, D.C. were as Aide and Administrative assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations iSurface Warefarel QOP-031, as a financial pro- gram analyst on the Program Plan- ning Staff lOP-901l, and to a one year Federal Executive Fellowship at the Brookings institution 11975-761. He has also headed the Combat Sys- tems Rediness and Training branch on the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force. U.S. Pacific. Fleet in San Diego, California. A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Vale, Oregon, and a 1963 graduate of Oregon State University, Captain Seaquist enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1962 and recieved his commission through OCS in October 1964. Prior . ' K 3 btyl it -IP. to beginning active naval service, he worked in polar meteorology - win- tering over both in the Arctic at Barter Island, Alaska, and in the Antarctic as U.S. Representative to the Argentine Expedition to Ellsworth Station - and as a research assistant at NA- SA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His wife Carla Seaquist is a writer at work on a novel. Her credits include the Washington Post and Christian Science Manitou Formerly Equal Op- portunity Officer for the city of San Diego, she resides in Washington. D.C. Captain Seaquist's awards include the Legion of Merit and the Meritori- ous Service Medal. .Na ' 1 -,,,. .-',3,. -- :'.7 :uf 'Ii-lfrtgiiitt-13-15?.i, ' f ' 1-Q., 1 -Mg,,.vr3-9-'Q 7-A: -, - -Lil. '.i :-.,f ' A