Kinkaid (DD 965) - Naval Cruise Book

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OFll Commanding Officer CDR Gordon G. Higgle Lit I Commander Riggle grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and graduated from Lafayette College. He was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. In his first sea tour, Commander Higgle served i n the Weapons Department of USS CHEVALIER (DD-805) in San Diego. During the Vietnam Conflict he was Officer-in-Charge of PCF-89, a fast coastal patrol boat based in Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam. Commander Higgle then attended the United States Naval Destroyer School and joined the commissioning crew of USS KNOX (FF-1052) as Operations Officer and Navigator. Commander Higgle ' s next assignment was in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Subsequently he became a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). Sea duty followed as Executive Officer of USS LUCE (DDG-7) homeported in Mayport, Florida. Returning to Washington, D.C., Commander Higgle was Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. In his most recent tour he was a member of the Chief of Naval Opeartions ' Long Range Planning Group (OP-OOX). Commander Higgle assumed command of USS KINKAID (DD-965) in July of 1980. Commander Higgle is a graduate with highest distinction of the Naval War College and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. He also completed the Program for Senior Executives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commenda- tion Medal with Combat V, and Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V.

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USS KINKAID (DD-965) USS KINKAID (DD-965) is the third SPRUANCE class destroyer and the second to join the Pacific Fleet. KINKAID is homeported in San Diego, California. Designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, KINKAID is a member of the first major class of surface ships in the United States Navy to be powered by gas turbine engines. Pour General Electric LM-2500 engines, marine versions of those used on DC-10 and C-5A aircraft, drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Twin controllable reversible pitch propellers provide KINKAID with a degree of maneuverability unique among warships of her size. A highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, KINKAID is capable of operating independently or in company with Amphibious or Carrier Task Forces. The ship displaces 8200 tons and is 563 feet in length. KINKAID ' s primary mission is to operate offensively in an antisubmarine warfare role. KINKAID ' s sonar, the most advanced underwater detection and fire control system yet developed, is fully integrated with a digital Naval Tactical Data System, providing the ship with faster and more accurate processing of target information. Integration of the ship ' s digital g un fire control system into the NTDS provides quick reaction in the mission areas of shore bombardment, surface warfare, and antiaircraft warfare. The ship ' s weapons include two MK 45 lightweight 5 inch guns, two triple barrel MK32 torpedo tubes, an antisubmarine rocket (ASROC) launcher, and facilities for operating antisubmarine helicopters. The ship is armed with the NATO Seasparrow Missile System, a short range, surface to air defensive weapon, and the HARPOON Missile System, a medium range, surface to surface, anti-ship cruise missile. For defense against anti-ship missiles KINKAID employs the MK 23 Target Acquisition System Radar, two MK 15 (PHALANX) 20 mm Close-in Weapons Systems, Super RBOC Chaff, and topside armor. Crew comfort and habitability are an integral part of KINKAID ' s design. Berthing compartijients are spacious and the ship is equipped with amenities not usually found aboard other destroyers, including a crew ' s library, lounge, and gymnasium. Although KINKAID is as large as a World War II cruiser, a high degree of automation permits a reduced crew of 19 officers and 277 enlisted to operate the ship. KINKAID is one of the world ' s most modern destroyers with an advanced propulsion system and fully integrated combat systems. Her growth potential ensures she will remain a potent force for freedom for decades to come. Design Characteristics Statistics Built by Keel Laid Christened Commissioned Sponsor Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries Pascagoula, Mississippi 19 April 1973 1 June 1974 10 July 1976 Mrs. Thomas C. Kinkaic Length 563 Feet 4 Inches Beam 55 Feet Displacement 8200 Tons Personnel Officers 19 Enlisted 277 Armament 2 Five Inch 54 Caliber Lightweight Gun Mounts 1 ASROC Launcher 2 MK 32 Triple Barrel Torpedo Tubes 1 NATO Seasparrow Missile Launcher 8 HARPOON Missile Cannisters 2 PHALANX Close-in- Weapons-Systems 4 Super RBOC Chaff Launchers Speed 30 Plus Knots A Destroyer is a lovely ship, probably the nicest fighting ship of all. Battleships are a little like steel cities or great factories of destruction. Aircraft Carriers are floating flying fields. Even Cruisers are big pieces of machinery, but a Destroyer is all boat. In the beautiful clean lines of her, in her speed and roughness, in curious gallantry, she is completely a ship, in the old sense. John Steinbeck

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Former Executive Officer CDR W. Keating CDR KEATING was commissioned through the NROTC Program at Villanova University in December 1968. CDR KEATING served his first tour as ASW Officer and later as Weapons Officer in USS ZELLARS (DD-777). He was assigned as ASW Officer on the Commissioning crew of USS LOCKWOOD (FF-1064). CDR KEATING served his first department head tour in USS LOCKWOOD (FF-1064) as Weapons Officer. CDR KEATING ' s next assignment was Aide to the Commandant, Thirteenth Naval District in Seattle, Washington. Following this tour CDR KEATING was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. CDR KEATING returned to sea duty via the Surface Warfare Officer School Department Head Course. He served as Weapons officer in USS PAUL F. FOSTER (DD-964). CDR KEATING next attended the Naval postgraduate School, Monterey, CA where he was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Manpower, Personnel and Training. CDR KEATING next served as Executive Officer in USS KINKAID (DD-965). CDR KEATING is currently serving in OP-393. CDR KEATING was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V while serving in USS LOCKWOOD (FF-1064) . He is married to the former Lora Lynn Yount of Alexandria, Virginia. Executive Officer LCDR J. Mayberry Lieutenant Commander Jack B. Mayberry is a graduate of California State University at Los Angeles. He entered the Navy through Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island. His previous tours include: USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH-11), Navy Recruiting District, Fardo, North Dakota, USS JOHNSTON (DD-821), USS WHIPPLE (FF-1062), Staff of COMDESRON 25, and Flag Lieutenant at COMNAVSURFPAC. His decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (Three Awards), the Vietnam Campaign Medal (Four awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. He is married ' o the former Sharon Boone and they have a daughter Lau-a.