Long Beach (CGN 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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MMCM(SW) DONALD J. SPRINGER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) Master Chief Springer was born in Coos Bay, Ore- gon. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1965 and received Basic Training at San Diego, California. He reported aboard USS TICONDEROGA (CVA 14) where he was advanced to Machinist ' s Mate Third Class in July 1969. He reenlisted aboard TICON- DEROGA, and then transferred to Service School Command, Naval Training Command, San Diego. Fol- lowing rate training, he reported aboard USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13) in March 1970. where he achieved the rate of Machinist ' s Mate Second Class. A tour of duty at Naval Station San Diego, from Febru- ary 1972 to May 1974 led him to USS TOWERS (DDG 9) where he reenlisted and was advanced to Machinist ' s Mate First Class, he served in USS DEN- VER (LPD 9) from May 1975 to June 1979. There he achieved the rate of Machinist ' s Mate Chief and also qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Master Chief Springer served at Fleet Training Group, San Diego from July 1979 to June 1982, where he reenlist- ed, and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He then reported to the Navy Management Systems Sup- port Office Detachment Pacific, where he advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer on 16 June 1985. He served in USS ALAMO (LSD 13) as Command Mas- ter Chief until December 1988, and reported to USS HOEL (DDG 13) in January 1989 as Command Mas- ter Chief. He departed USS HOEL (DDG 13) in July 1990, and reported to SIMA, San Diego as Command Master Chief. Master Chief. Springer departed SIMA, San Diego July 1991 and reported to USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) as Command Master Chief. Master Chief Springer wears the Navy Commenda- tion Medal with gold star. Navy Achievement Medal with gold star. National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal (six awards). Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, and various cam- paign and service medals. Master Chief Springer is married to the former Christine Elizabeth Ward of Flint, Michigan and resides in San Diego, California. They have two daughters, Michell Lee and Jill Elizabeth.

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USS I.ON(; BKACHs foiirtecnlh WKSTPAC deployment was an cvcnitui nm.- and one in which she enjoyed a series of successes — the resuh of 950 men working together on a daily basis lo achieve the goals mandated hy our operational task- ing. As always, the last minute repairs and testing by the engi- neers and the final loadoiits by the Supply department insured the ship was fully prepared to get underway from San Diego on 28 May. The initial high speed run lo Pearl Harbor, in com- pany with I ' SS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, set the lone for ihc pace of the enure six months. Our trip from Pearl Harbor to Subic Bay saw us di crl through the San Bernadino Strait in order to avoid Typhoon Yunya. Whenever we were in the South China Sea and West- ern Pacific, we found ourselves closely watching the weather and adjusting our transits because of the large number of major tropical storms during the 1991 typhoon season. Arriving in Subic Bay the day following the eruption of Ml Pinalubo. the entire crew threw itself wholeheartedly into the demanding and crucial task of evacuating Navy and Air l-orce dependents. In two trips, we transported 1200 people five hun- dred miles south to Cebu. where Air lorce planes waited lo return them to the United States. The unending stream of heartfelt thanks we have received from those people made our humanitarian efforts in June the highlight of the cruise. Every man shared in the satisfaction of participating in OPERA- TION FIERY VIGIL. Departing Cebu. we immediately commenced the demand- ing annual Operational Reactor Safeguard Exam, and the engi- neers once again came through with Hying colors. The reward was a port call in the exciting city of Singapore. An unexpect- ed bonus was a follow-on week in the resort city of Phuket, Thailand. The next three months were spent in the demanding envi- ronment of the Persian Gulf, supporting OPERATION DESERT STORM. The pervasive heat, sand and dust from ihc oil wells still burning in Kuwait made every day a challenge. For the entire three months. LON(; BKACH and the entire battlegroup remained on alerl lo resume operations against Iraq in support of the United Nations icsolulions W ilhiujt question, it was this ready force which gji c credence lo the President ' s policies and forced Saddam Hussein to back down and allow United Nations inspectors access to Iraq ' s nuclear weapons lacilities. While in the Persian Gulf, LONC BEACH also participat- ed in valuable training exercises with the navies of the coali- tion forces, including those of France. Great Britain and Aus- tralia. We also enjoyed the opportunity to serve as flagship for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces. Central Command, RADM R.A.K. Taylor. Whether in operations at sea or as diplomatic representatives ashore. LONG BEACH earned the praise and respect of both VS. and foreign officials. The round the clock efforts of the men in the Operations and Weapons Department insured the continuing high slate of combat readiness which has always been the ships hallmark. It was appropriate that LON(; BEACH be on the frontlines defending America ' s interest overseas when she celebrated her . Oth Birthday dunng ceremonies in Bahrain on 9 September 1991. The final stages of our deployment included a return to Subic Bay and a we 1 1 -deserved liberty call in Hong Kong. Our last port of call before returning lo San Diego was Pearl Har- bor There, we embarked I 14 fathers, sons, brothers and friends for our final week at sea. When the lines were put over on the morning of 27 November. 950 men could take pride and satisfaction in knowing they had played a significant role in a highly successful deployment. I am proud to have com- manded those men throughout the six months at sea. I appreci- ate their untiring dedication and the unwavering support of their families at home. This cruisebook will serve forever lo commemorate their conltibuiions during 1991. in the service of a great Navy and the greatest Nation on Earth. Md W. R. BURNS. JR Captain U.S. Navy Commanding Officer