Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS LEFTWICH DD 984 USS LEFTWICH (DD 984) is the twenty-second SPRUANCE Class Destroyer to be designed and boilt by Ingalls ShipbuilrVng Division ol Litton Industries in Pascagoula. Mississippi. Homeported in Pearl Harbor. Hawaii. LEFTWICH is assigned to Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Five. The SPRUANCE Class Destroyer is unique among today's warships in that it is the first major class to be powered strictly by gas turbine engines. LEFTWICH. as her sister ships, is powered by four General Electric LM-2500 engines. Designed originally for large aircraft (C-SA 747), these engines have been modified for marine use and produce 20.000 horsepower each Her engines, in conjunction with twin controllable-reversible pitch propellers, are capable of moving LEFTWICH through the water at speeds in excess of 30 knots and give her a degree of maneuverability unequalled by any other warship her size. LEFTWICH's electrical generation plant is also driven by gas turbine engines (three Allison 50l's) which arc designed to output 2000 KW each Crow comfort and habitaWdy were also ol prime consideration in LEFTWICH's design. Berthing areas are spacious and considerable care was taken to equip the ship with features uncommon to most destroyers Such features include a ship's library, crew lounge, a wen equipped gymnasium and many other items aimed at crew's comtort As a highly versatile multi-mission destroyer. LEFTWICH is capable of operating independently or in company with amphibious or carrier task forces. Although oqu pped to handle a wide variety of mission areas. LEFTWICH's primary missions are Anti- USS LEFTWICH (00984) began her 5 W month deployment to the North Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean on July 27. 1987. Embarked on LEFTWICH was Commander, Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-FIVE and his staff, also homeported out of Pearl Harbor. Also, embarked were the Air Crew and Pitots ot Helicopter Squadron (HSL-37) Detachment 5 based out of Barbers Point, Hawaii. LEFTWICH is the first SPRUANCE Class destroyer to deploy with two SH-2F Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) MK I HeKopters. The ship's 400-man crew steamed across the Pacific to Subic Bay. Republic of the Phiippines for last minute preparations tor the deployment. LEFTWICH then traveled to the North Arabian Sea where she spent 102 straight days at sea as part of the MISSOURI Battleship Battle Group SIERRA prior to entering its first port LEFTWICH steamed in company with USS MISSOURI (BB 63). USS BUNKER HIL (CG 52). USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9). USS KANSAS CITY (AOR 3). USS CURTS (FFG 38). AND USS HOEL (DDG 13). LEFTWICH conducted several operations in support of the reflagged tanker escort missions. Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Strategic Strike Operations. LEFTWICH possesses somo of tho most advanced ASW equipment coupled with extensive sound s encng features to fac tatc her accomplishment of these complex and demanding tasks. The ship is equipped with a sophisticated bow-mounted sonar, the SOS 53A. that is capable ot active or passive detection and tracking ol submarine contacts. In addition to her sonar. LEFTWICH's ASW weapons suite consists ol one or two helicopters, an Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) launching system and two triple barreled Mark 32 torpedo tubes. All ol these systems integrate with a digital computer system, the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS). For the Strategic Strike mission area. LEFTWICH is eqr pped with TOMAHAWK, the Navy's latest cruise missile system This integrated combat system with its enhanced target information processing capability and resultant reaction time provides LEFTWICH with an accurate, long-range Strike capability against surface targets unprecedented in destroyer-sized ships. LEFTWICH also boasts two 5-inch 54 caliber Mark 45 fu»y automatic gun mounts controlled by the digital Mark 86 Fire Control System. Additionaty. the Harpoon antiship cruise missile. NATO Seasparrow Missile System and two Close-in Weapons System (ClWS) mounts are consolidated mto the weapons suite providing offensive and defensive fire-power. Integrated with NTDS. these systems aBow LEFTWICH to excel in her secondary missions ol Naval Gunlire Support. Surface Warfare, and Anti-Air Warfare. The highlight of the cruise was LEFTWICH's participation m Operation NIMBLE ARCHER, the naval gunfire attack on Iran's Rashadat Oil Platform in the Persian Gulf on October 19. 1987. The operation was the first direct relaxation for an Iranian attack against a U.S.-flagged vessel LEFTWICH was the lead ship of a four ship Surface Action Group (SAG) tasked with tho attack. The destroyers that took part in the attack wore USS LEFTWICH (DD 984). USS KIDD (DDG 993). USS HOEL (DDG 13). and USS JOHN YOUNG (DO 973) Over 1000 rounds were fired against the platform, over 460 were from LEFTWICH, Commander of the SAG was Commander. Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-FIVE. Captain I. Larguier. Jr. onboard LEFTWICH. During the transit home. LEFTWICH made port visits to Fremantle. Western Australia; and Sydney. Australia. Crewmembers enjoyed sightseeing and shopping during the Holiday Season. Many crewmembers opened their hearts to make donations and to visit some of tho orphanages and children's hospitals during our visits in Australia. 2

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BATTLE GROUP SIERRA BATTLE GROUP ECHO

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 THE SHIP’S CREST The colors blue and red are symbolic of loyalty and courage, attributes of Lt. Col. Leftwich who was killed in action in Vietnam. The areas of blue refer to the lowlands or delta areas of Vietnam and the yellow sections rising toward center allude to the highlands. The chevron-like shape, simulating a mountain, stands as a symbol of Lt. Col. Leftwich’s courageous effort during an emergency extraction by helicopter from enemy infested territory during which he met his death. The vertical band refers to the numerical designation of the First Marine Division, the organization with which he served. The gold stars allude to the awards of the Silver Star Medal. The gold cross patty represents the award of the Navy Cross. The trident and dolphins are symbolic of vigilance and maritime dominance. SHIP DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS Built By ...........................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries Pascagoula, Mississippi Keel Laid ..................................................................12 November 1976 Christened.......................................................................27 May 1978 Commissioned ..................................................................25 August 1979 Sponsor ............................................................Mrs. Jane (Leftwich) Michael Length.........................................................................563 Feet 4 Inches Beam ..................................................................................55 Feet Draft .................................................................................30 Feet Displacement ........................................................................8500 Tons Complement.........................................................................Officers-21 Enlisted-310 Speed .............................................................................30+ Knots Armament......................................................Two 5 inch 54 Caliber Gun Mounts Mk 112 ASROC Launcher Two Mk 32 Torpedo Tubes NATO Seasparrow Harpoon Close In Weapons System (CIWS) Tomahawk Aircraft...................................................One SH-3 or Two SH-2 Helicopters Propulsion. Four General Electric LM 2500 Marine Gas Turbine Engines (Total - 80,000 Shaft Horsepower)