Lewis Puller (FFG 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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RACINE SUMMER CRUISE TO POHNEPI, FSM Pepper. Coconut oil. Wooden sharks. Who on the USS RACINE {LST-1191) NRF would have thought these would be among the memories brought back from a tropical cruise to the South Pacific? As Racine departed Long Beach on June 25, 1991 her crew expected to perform their normal missions. Two months and twelve thousand miles later it would be the unusual missions they were called upon to do that they would remember. Pohnpei Island, a member state of the Federated States of Micronesia (F.S.M.), was to host the 22nd South Pacific Forum. The forum is a meeting of Pacific island nations to discuss issues affecting their countries. Fifteen countries, among them the F.S.M., Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga, had committed to sending delegates. The United States had promised to assist the F.S.M. by providing facilities for the media and other persons supporting the forum. This assistance came in the form of the USS RACINE. First stop was Pearl Harbor in time for the Fourth of July. A detachment of Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Division embarked for transportation to Guam. On arrival in Guam the Marines went ashore for jungle training and Seabees and a medical dental team took their place. The Seabees, a Civic Action Team (CAT) from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Four based in Okinawa, would provide skills and material for several Humanitarian Civic Assistance Projects on the island. The medical dental team would provide support for the island ' s medical facilities. After a pierside welcome from F.S.M. Government delegates and the American Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal everyone got busy. The Racine ' s first task was to turn into the Four-Star Hotel Racine . Accommodations were provided for over seventy members of the media that had come to cover the Forum. The reporters stayed in the troop berthing normally used for carrying Marines and were provided meals onboard. The Seabees split into three teams with each team being supported by six to ten Racine crewmembers. One of the teams restored portions of the Historic Spanish Wall first built by the Spanish in the 19th century. Parts of the wall had been missing since World War Two. Another team provided much needed repairs and preservation to the Pohnpei State Hospital. Many times they were working in the same rooms were patients were being treated. A Utilityman and a Racine Engineman were able to hookup a new boiler for the hospital. The third team added two new rooms to a local school. During their breaks they discovered the Pohnpean students could play a mean game of volleyball. The medical dental team consisting of a physician, two dentists, two dental technicians, and two hospital corpsman traveled to several hamlets on the island. With limited supplies and working in buildings with no electricity, the team treated the locals for a variety of ailments. Often times a flashlight was the only source of light. Another two man dental team spent a week with the Pohnpei hospital dental staff sharing knowledge and skills of dentistry. Racine off-loaded 98 pallets of Project Handclasp material. Sixty-three pallets were educational books for the Department of Education to distribute among thirty-one schools. More than 8,000 pounds of animal feed was presented to the Pohnpei Poultry Association to supplement its feed supply. Several pallets of me dical and hygiene supplies were delivered to the hospital. Only a third of the Racine ' s crew could be on liberty at any time to avoid overwhelming the island ' s facilities. Shopping for woodcarvings, snorkeling, diving, and visiting the waterfalls were popular pastimes. Viewing the ruins of Nan Modal provided an insight into the island ' s history. The 13th century buildings were made of stone logs weighing several tons on man-made islands. After the Forum concluded, Racine returned to Pearl Harbor. There she shifted from goodwill ambassador to amphibious warrior. Operation Barracuda, conducted with the Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Division, was a three day exercise to provide training in surgical strike techniques. For the first two days Marines in Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts (CRRC ' s) and helicopters practiced attacking enemy communication and supply sites. The General of the 3rd Marine Battalion flew out to observe part of the exercise. The final attack, launched at dawn, was an outstanding success due to the excellent coordination and preparation. During the exercise Racine crewmembers safely performed sterngate operations, over two hundred Deck Landing Qualifications with helicopters, and close to shore navigation. During the transit back to Long Beach the Racine had more guests onboard. Seven Tigers, family members of the crew, were able to observe, and take part in, the daily routine aboard a naval vessel. Some of the many activities observed included a gun shot, a General Quarters, and Engineering drills. Through the deployment Racine was augmented by 156 Selected Reservists (SELRES). Most came for one of several periods approximately two weeks long. Thirty SELRES were onboard for a month or longer. Forty-six came from Racine ' s own SELRES crew permanently assigned to the Racine. The others came from all parts of the country including Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Arizona, Washington, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Florida, Vermont, Utah, Wisconsin, and California. The SELRES were completely incorporated into the ship ' s company. They provided a solid base of experienced performers to assist the Racine in fulfilling her mission to Pohnpei. Among the many tasks accomplished by the SELRES were filling in as a division officer and assistant department heads, divisional LCPO ' s and LPO ' s, stood watches, conducted training for SELRES and Regular Navy personnel, and provided administrative support. As the USS RACINE pulled into Long Beach her crew knew they had successfully performed every task they were called upon to do and did it as a One Navy ship. 223

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k. i,.i; i .- SHSN SMITH AND BMSN GOMEZ SELLING SHIP SOUVENIRS THE THEME FLOAT FROM THE ROSE FESTIVAL 91 FLAG TWIRLERS MAKE THAT JOUR- NEY ROSE FESTIVAL FLOAT A VIEW OF THE CITY OF PORT- LAND FROM THE COLUMBIA RIVER ET2 HUNDERSMARCK AND OS2 MILLNER WAITING FOR LIBERTY CALL CDR COVER! RECEIVES BOUQUET OF ROSES FROM ROSE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE 222

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Play Ball Says HMCM MORRIS Ship Tours A Full Day Evolution This Bud s For You Chief Where Do I Put The Firemain Bring On The Dancing Girls 224