La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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STAFF OF COMMANDER MIDDLE EAST FORCE r . ' i f Established 1 January 1949. the Middle East Force is one of the US Navy ' s smallest major commands in terms of ships assigned Normally comprised of a flagship and two frigate destroyers, the force operates in an area of more than eight million square miles of international waters, encompassing numerous islands and bound by 30 countries To cover this vast area. fvlEF ships are deployed independently on a rotating basis to the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and eastern Indian Ocean. Commander Middle East Force further extends his coverage by traveling via flag aircraft to inland capitals and other important cities, meeting with government and military leaders and U.S. diplomatic representatives A primary mission of MEF is to promote goodwill, understanding and mutual respect and acceptance between Americans and the people of countries visited by ships of the force. CDR CLINTON D SCHNEIDER CDR JOHN GOSH-BARKER, MC CDR JOSEPH A BROWN

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CAPTAIN ALLEN SMITH, III CHIEF OF STAFF COMMANDER MIDDLE EAST FORCE Captain Allen Smith, III. was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned an ensign on 4 June 1954. His first assignment was on board the destroyer escort USS DAMATO where he served as the antisubmarine warfare officer. Additional shipboard assignments include commanding officer of the minesweeper USS AFFRAY and the guided missile destroyer USS BARNEY, executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS BIDDLE, and operations officer navigator on the destroyer USS R K HUNTINGTON Following graduation from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I , in 1965 he reported to Washington, DC, where he became the strategic plans officer in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Captain Smith returned to Washington in 1972 to assume the post of special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research and Development) In October 1974. he returned to the Office of CNO where he became the PHfvl ship coordinator Captain Smith is married to the former Donna Rae James and they have three daughters and twin sons The Smiths ' now reside in Springfield, Va Captain Smith has twice received the Navy Commendation fvledal with Combat V

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' LCDR GERALD F. HUNTER. JR. LCDR FRANK A LEHARDY LCDR JOSEPH K HENDERSON MAJ RAYMOND A. STEWART, USMC LCDR DAVID W MONAHAN rp -• y -AV ' -I LCDR GEORGE B HUMMER. CHC iWffl V LCDR MICHAEL L PAYNE LCDR ARCHIE BARTLEY LT WILLIAM E SKINNER LT LARRY D FISER LT DAVID L CHRISTIANSON ' S u