John McCain (DL 3) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 68 text:

S W V , 'fy 'fee i ' f EVM' T Q 9 .M p f .ji I? wf 'X Z7 l 1 fltttll he' 2, Sv N K .n. -agus.. But IX. . 1 You Said BOX the Compass Los! at Sea Skivy Wavers Coffee Break OC DIVISIDN The OC Division is comprised of the personnel who operate radio central, the bridge, ship's office, and the post office. The ratings in this division include RlVl's, SM's, TE's, YN's, PN's, and QM's. During the cruise it was OC Division's job to keep the ship and the Squadron Commander well informed through every means of naval shipboard communications. Radio central processed thousands of messages during the cruise and also published our ship's newspaper, which helped to keep us up to date on the news at home and around the world. The signal bridge, where all our visual communicating takes place, was kept busy throughout the cruise with semaphore, flashing light and flag hoist. The Quartermasters, working in close liaisonwith the Signalmen and the navigator, had the important job of assisting the navigator guide the McCAlN through 35,000 miles of steaming, in fair weather and foul. The Yeomen and Personnelmen in the Ship's office assisted the Executive Officer in keeping abreast of the paper mill, which is a necessary part of any cruise. The ship's post office was perhaps the most popular and important space on board ship immediately after arrival in any port. The mailman was seldom without volunteer mail sorters, hoping to short-stop their own mail three minutes early. OC Division played an indispensible role in making possible our very successful and enjoyable tour of the Far East. Iwata? Sh ,Q CJ X-4. ' . 5 Tex SZ I 1 f H C3315 , 1 fy ,FL p L s X r :rr as Q? 1, my -A I , 0 . I , Q , ful-W , . '! ' -5 V -Qc: - ' qrl -I f A 2232? A 'lm' Sums Ornct CT i X-J TERNHQNS G Q E 0 Q' Op Q 2 PM 4 edit A ,ff 000 QD E X tv ' 4 00 E J I A 0 'zbqlax loc' . ta his X ll l 5632 4' . ' V. 212- '71 ' 5:1 'oy' l - - f 1 f-! 'A A ggi - ,. f xy -14 :Lahti 1 4 P' f - S2 .rd I .Q 'KV L' TXRDIONCN Q50 id N .S Xa At Quarters Moments Leisure

Page 67 text:

'r THIRD DIVISION The Third Division is the smallest division on board, yet it plays one of the most important roles in determining the McCAlN's battle effectiveness. Qne of the primary missions of the Navy is to search out and destroy enemy submarines, and the delivery of an effective attack against one of these sub- merged vessels by an AXS ship demands a degree of proced- ural teamwork found in few other naval operations. Preparation for attack involves a knowledge of enemy tactics, solution of the fire control problem, and readiness of personnel and equip- ment. Firecontrolmen, Torpedomen, Sonarmen, and Gunners Mates make up the ASW team, which handles the direction of the underwater fire control system, underwater search equip- ment, torpedo counter-measure equipment, and anti-submarine armament including depth charges, torpedoes and rockets. The equipment aboard the MCCAIN is among the most modern and efficient available in the fleet today. Old Weapon Able

Page 69 text:

OI DIVISION I V Duty lookouts Duty ET If 'I thought I saw a puddy cat The eyes and the ears of ships have moved indoors Radar has extended the Officer of the Deck s vision to 100 miles and more Radio brings information from even greater distances The nerve center for these long range senses is Combat Information Center ClC is the collective center for all tactical information. Here the important is sorted out from the routine and passed on to those who must know. Keeping the bridge informed is the never ending task of the Combat team. The Ol Division is composed of Radarmen and Electronics Technicians. The Radarmen man ClC. Their work consists of watching radar scopes, maintaining up to the minute plots on all Sydney sailor contacts, solving maneuvering board problems, operating radio circuits and manning the DHT to name just a few. Aboard the MCCATN, the presence of the staff of Desfton 2l makes the radar- men's job even more challenging. The work requires constant vigilance and often split second decisions. There is little room for error when operating in close quarters with another ship in an ASW attack. Air defense exercises require an exact up to the minute plot of all aircraft, their identity, course and speed and a rapid flow of information to and from other ships. The Electronics Technicians must keep the electronic gear on the ship operating and in peak condition. This includes 3 radars, 22 repeaters, many radios and a host of special equipment such as ECM. This is an enormous job for the handful of ET's aboard. And when the radar stops working in the middle of the night, it must be fixed right then, not the next morning. lt is tedious work, requiring the sharpest of minds and dogged persistence. Ed. Note: Unfortunately, the whole division was on watch when the group picture was taken, however we have managed to cap- ture a few of these busy beavers during their 10 micro-second coffee break. Heading home S d Head up, chest out Cope cpe Mole man Studying for second Rebel radarman