Long Beach (CGN 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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TA DIVISION The ship's main battery, the powerful Talos missile, is an integral part of the Long Beach air defense system. The Talos Missile Division C'TA j is responsible for the pre-launch phase of this Weapon's firing, while the after-launch phase is handled by FA Division. Talos is the largest anti-aircraft missile used on board naval vessels, weighing over 7,000 pounds with its solid-propellant booster fover 500,000 pounds of thrust in the first five sec- ondsj. Thirty-one feet in length, this bird', is fired aloft by the largest piece of ordnance hand- ling equipment in the Navy - over 350 tons. The pre-launch operations of UTA include the vital maintenance of the missiles and their launching gear, intensive training on 'cdry runs , actual Talos shots., and firings against drones prepares these men for the areal thing should it ever occur. Implicit faith in their weapon and its launching equipment, and the same degree of confidence in their own skilled maintenance and operation fplus an equal trust in FA's ability in the after-launch phasej, leads the personnel of TA to be certain of a Hdownl' target when the bird roars aloft. A high degree of technical knowledge and skill is required ofihose responsible for the missiles aboard, top, left. Men of TA Division, handle the pre-launch phase of firing Talos, left and right.

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--vs!---H , - - Above, Missile Ere Control Technicians are constantbi checking, re-checking ana' aafusting the complex electronic gear as- signed to them, to assure its 4.0 opera- ti'on. This Mark III, Mod I computer looks confusing on the outsicle, impos- sible on the inside. Right, top, men working on the Mark 56 Director have the benefit of fresh air ana' sunshine while other FTM? monitorscopes below clecks, below. 24 FA DIVISION Ask an uninitiated civilian what a navy firecontrol technician does, and you'll probably be told he is number one hoseman on fire truck No. 6 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. On Long Beach, however, firefighting is left to the Repair Parties, while the FT's are assigned the electronic components of the weapons systems. NFA7, Division personnel operate, maintain and repair the Talos fire control equipment. Operating with HTAH Division on the ship's long range air defense system, they must behigh- ly knowledgeable in both the theoretical and practical aspects of electronics, and must likewise be familiar with the mechanical components of the systems. Constant study is involved for men in such assignments - whether striking for a rate or al- ready holding the badge of a CPO drawing pro- ficiency pay. Behind the mechanical and elec- tronic skills must be a marked ability to read and interpret schematics, blueprints and wiring diagrams. NFA Division is also responsible for the fire control equipment on the ship's 5 38 gun bat- tery. All hands can rest assured that HFAN will ukeep 'em firing with an accuracy CGJV39 can be proud of.