Mississippi (CGN 40) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 112 of the 1982 volume:

Ill Til _,- ■ ' , SCJO DIISTAVIA I t 3t inij Mississippi CGN 40 Mediterranean Cruise August 1981 to February 1982 Life on the Mississippi 3 Men of the Mississippi 13 Operations : 17 Engineering 35 Combat Systems 57 Supply 67 Admin Medical 73 Ports 81 Homecoming 97 The official crest of the USS MISSISSIPPI, as seen here and on the cover, was designed by Mark Bridges, from Florence, Mississippi. The crest in- corporates the state colors: red, white, and blue, and the state motto Virtute Et Armis (By Valor and Arms). The four stars symbolize the four ships to bear the name MISSIS- SIPPI. The missile in the center represents the guid- ed missiles with which the ship is armed, while the electron orbits around the missile symbolizes the ship ' s nuclear propulsion. The ship ' s wheel and an- chor are traditional symbols of those who serve at sea. Dedication This is the cruisebook of the USS MISSISSIPPI, and as such it serves as an enduring record of six months in the lives of 500 men. But beyond reminding us of any six month period, this cruisebook attempts to remind us of our place in this world, and why we spent those six months the way we did. The USS MISSISSIPPI and the men who form her life ' s blood are part of a tradition that is older than any one ship or any one man. It is a tradition of Americans going to sea to protect their country and their country ' s interests. It is a tradition of bravery, of seamanship, of excellence. This cruisebook, then, is dedicated to that tradition, and to the thousands of brave American ships and brave American men who have gone before us. More than that, though, this cruisebook is dedicated to those thousands — wives, children, parents, friends — that we are forced to leave behind when we go to sea. As in years past, it is ultimately their welfare and their freedom that sends us to sea in the first place. Life on the Mississippi Life on the Mississippi. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, around the world ... Clockwise from upper left: Captain Taylor introduces VADM Rowden at the Sea Service Ribbon award ceremony; HT3 Allen Carver looks threatening with his cutting ma- chine; MSC L. Bautista discusses new wardroom menu concoctions with MS2 Ben Dayao; BM ' s Art Reilly and Mark Rathbone square things away after anchorage in Gaeta; Captain Taylor stands among nub chiefs CTTC J. Mell, RMC Wright, YNC HoUingsworth, EWC Holloway, and MSC J. Cantirino. Clockwise from upper right: SKCS B. Terry receives his 7th (or is it 8th?) Good Conduct Award; Rare photo of spooks at work; Amer- ican History PACE course in the library; The unknown phone talker has a coke and a smile (smile not shown); DK ' s Chuck Smith and Rudy Ortega behind closed doors; Tunisian visitor aboard in Gaeta, the Sheik Abdul de Rak; LTJG B. Newman demonstrates successful pipe patching tech- niques; Nukes at GQ — Ken Aeon, Grant Schneider, and Jim Op- perman. From the newest seaman to the Admiral himself, Clockwise from upper right: Last helo of the day; Sailors of the Quarter EWl Ron Hixson and RMS B McCormick; The Doc declares MM2 Herb Petersen healthy, at least physically; The helo ops crew poses after the 100th helo landing of the deployment; LTJG McFadden ' s talent show monologue drives the crowd wild. From the depths of the engine room to the pinnacle of the signal bridge . , . Clockwise from below: The fire party shows its winning fonn during the helo ops; Intensive twelve-ounce-curl training couldn ' t help the chiefs in their losing pul! against M Division; Praying, sleeping, or working — only the Navigator knows for sure ' .; GMG2 Andy LeTourneau catches up on his required reading in the after gun mount; MISSISSIPPI ' S own Shriner, STGl Dave Weeks. Working together Upper left, YNSN Dennis Adams tags out an Israeli baserunner; Middle left, members get all wrapped up in MISSISSIPPI ' S own brand of volleyball; Lower left, Chiefs D y and Ramsey whip out a quick 30 laps; Right, SK3 Killer Melendez after a winning bout. Playing together, learning together Upper center, MISSIS- SIPPI ' S 1981-82 basketball team, shown here with the third place trophy from a Gaeta tournament; Lower center, our Mediterranean Softball team poses at a kibbutz in Israel; Upper right, SN Don Brower leads the 1st Division team in another successful tug-of-war; Below, MM2 Randy Lane on his way to a wrestling win, one of many MISSISSIPPI wins that night in Gaeta. Doing the hard jobs, defending the country, getting things done . . . Clockwise from upper left: Excellent means never having to say you ' re sorry; HTl Jeff Rockhey displays the dedication required to get surface warfare qualified; LTJG Barraclough brings in yet another helo; MMC Canada plays his horn; MM2 Brian McClain and the infamous ORSE Bird. 10 Clockwise from upper right: LTJG Wray and BMCS Siddell conduct GQ fire fighting training; The prospect of Uberty call in Morocco brings a smile to ET2 Jack Gypin; One of 193 sunsets during the trip; Waiting for helos isn ' t so bad for HT2 Rob Nissenzone; Turnover day in Morrocro, with the TEXAS and the SOUTH CAROLINA in the background. The arrival of our reliefs brings an end to another chapter in the life of the MISSISSIPPI. PROVIDENCE Sloop, 12 guns, 90 men By June of 1775 the General Assembly of Rhode Island had grown tired of British men-of-war preying on the colony ' s shipping. The Assembly appointed a committee to obtain and fit out ships for the colony ' s defense. In a single day the committee chartered the sloop KATY from the Providence ship owner and appointed a captain, and that evening KATY captured a small British tender. The naval half of the War for Independence had begun. After cruising Narragansett Bay protecting coastal shipping throughout the summer, and an autumn trip to Bermuda in search of gunpowder for the impoverished Continental Army, KATY was formally purchased by Rhode Island on 31 October. KATY sailed to Philadelphia carrying newly enlisted sailors and was taken into Continental service. Her new name was PROVIDENCE, and she joined a squadron formed by Congress in January 1776 under the command of Esek Hopkins, designated the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies. Hopkins led his tiny fleet south to the Bahamas. On March 1 they seized two sloops, which were loaded with 200 marines and 50 sailors. Two days later the Americans staged an amphibious landing at New Providence; under the protection Of guns from PROVIDENCE and other ships. They captured Fort Montagne, and the next day took Fort Nassau. In control of the island, Hopkins and PROVIDENCE sailed into the harbor and loaded captured niuriiti !)nsi to. bring 6ine to the Continental Army. On the voyage back to New London, the Americans captured four British prizes. sailed alone tor iNe , , . PROVIDENCE again captured Fort Nassau, releasmg American prisoners, and taking : : - ' =+ '   f ' the American armies. She also capture. and five other ships which had bee the British. After returning her pr „, , -, Tfi PROVIDENCE in April captured HMS Brig DILIGEN1, 12 guns, off Cape Cod. In August PROVIDENCE was caught in Penobscot River in Massachusette when a superior British force moved into the area. She was destroyed by her crew to prevent her capture by the enemy. The tiny PROVIDENCE was the first ship to defend the new nation. Her success, daring, and able seamanship set the precedent for the proud American Navy to come. Men of the Mississippi 13 Captain Raynor A.K. Taylor, USN Commanding Officer Captain Taylor was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on December 22. 1935. He graduated from the U.S. Naval . ' cademy in June of 1960. He then joined the USS ABBOT (DD 629) in Newport, Rhode Island and served as Main Propulsion Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, and Engineer Officer until March 196.3. Duty aboard ABBOT included operations in the Artie and Mediterranean, with CENTO Forces in the Indian O cean and participation in the Cuban missile crisis and quarantine operations. Subsequent assignments in the Surface Nuclear Power Program included leading EOOW and Assistant to the Engineer for Training at the DIG Prototype in West Milton, New York. In 1966, he was assigned as Engineer Officer, USS HOEL (DDG 13) out of San Diego and participated in Northern SAR and gunline operations in Southeast Asia. In 1967 he was selected as a Navy Olmsted Scholar. This tour included studies at the Defense Language Institute, Institute of Political Studies at the University of Grenoble in France, and the American University in Washington, D.C. He was awarded a French Diplome d ' Etat with distinction and a Master of Arts in International studies. Captain Taylor then assumed duties as Main Propulsion Assistant, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), an assignment which included nuclear refueling and subsequent deploy- ment to Southeast Asia and to the Indian Ocean. In 1972 he reported to the USS HALSEY (CG 23) Precommission- ing Unit in San Diego and subsequently participated in HALSEY ' S commissioning in Bath, Maine and deployment to the Pacific. Duty in HALSEY included implementation of the first shipwide Combat Systems organization. He then served in Washington, D.C. as Head, Surface Nuclear Power Branch and Head, Naval Reactors Branch in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Captain Taylor assumed command of the USS SEMMES (DDG 18) in 1978 and deployed to the Mediterranean when he was ordered to command of USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN 40). His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. He is authorized to wear the Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Captain Taylor is married to the former Mary Jane Stevens of Newport News, Virginia, and they have two sons, Raynor and Andrew. •§■■ ' .: ;--v- ; ' ■ ' •■■;. ' : ■■:.:■ ' ' ' MBw Commander Ralph H. Lipfert Executive Officer Commander Ralph Lipfert was born in Washington, D.C . on April 7, 194f). He grew up a service junior living various places on the eastern seaboard. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1966, and immediately entered Surface Nuclear Propulsion School in Bainbridge, Maryland and West Milton, New York. F ' ollowing completion of nuclear power training, CDR Lipfert was assigned to USS TRUXTON (CGN 35) in Long Beach, California where his duties included Reactor Controls Division Officer and Electrical Officer Duty aboard TRUXTON included two deployments to Southeasl Asia and a trip to the Sea of Japan when the USS PUEBLO was captured. Crossing the country for shore duty, CDR Lipfert spent two yeais at the Maj8acii ' . ' .setta Institute of Technology studying Ocean Engineering. He next joined the Precommissioning Crew of the USS NIMITZ CVN 68) as Renctor MecbKnical Assistant. After that rewarding tour he was next stationed on the Commissicniiig Crew of the USS VIRGINIA (CGN US), as the Engineer Officer. This demanding but also rewarding assignment included the entire propulsion plant test program, commissioning, and the long weapons systems workup following commissioning. After a brief stay at the Armed Forces Staff Ci;ilege, CDR Liofert joined the staff of Admiral H.G. Rickover at Naval Reactors in Washington He then reported as B iecut.ive Officer of the USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN tOi. Hj is authorized to wear the Battle Efficiency E ribbo i for service on VlRGINfA, the National Defense Service M (!(il, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medc.l. CDR Lipfert is married to the former Christine Bonds and they reside in Virijini.! 3o h with their three children, Jennifer, Michael, and John. 15 CONSTITUTION 2200 tons, 175 feet The CONSTITUTION was one of six frigates authOTized by Congress in 1794 as a result of growing American interest in seapower and international affairs. Built with timbers brought from states from Maine to Georgia and copper bolts from the shop of Paul Revere, the CONSTITUTION reflected a distinctly American design; she was designed to be strong enough to overpower any other ship her size, and fast enough to run safely away from any larger ship of the line. Launched in 1798, she patrolled off the American east coast during the Quasi-War with Fra :ce. In 1803 the Barbary pirates threatened free trade in the Mediterranean, and CONSTITUTION sailed to Tripoli under Captain Edward Preble to become flagship of the Mediterranean squadron. A year of successful blockade and coastal attacks ;forced Tripoli ' and Algiers to come to terms, and after two more years of patrol, she returned to jthe United ' State , uhder the commahd of Captain John Rddgera. ' , In 1812 war with Britain loomed and COji- STITUTION put to sea with Captain Isaac Hull at the helm. During the War CONSTITUTION Irpamed the eritinei Atlantic, running the British blockade aft i Boston, and capturing nine merchantmen and five men of war. During this period she engaged and defeated the larger British frigate GUERRIERE. In this action the shot from the GUERRIERE bounced harmlessly off the stout hull of the American ship, earning the CONSTITUTION the nickname Old Ironsides. The dramatic victory was an important event for the infant country. In this battle the United States ' ros e to the rank of a first-class power ' ; the country was fired with fresh confidence and courage, and union among the States was greatly strengthened. The CONSTITUTION remained on active duty, patrollirig all over the world, from the South Pacific to the Mediterranean, until the ripe old age of 85. Her commanders duriiig that period included such notables as William Bainbridge, Charles Stewart, David D. Porter, and George Dewey. Decommissioned in 1882, CONSTITUTION was refitted with money from patriotic organizations and school children. She was recommissioned in 1931 and is today the oldest ship on the Navy List, berthed in Boston, and open to the public. The CONSTITUTION remains an enduring remiifder of the Navy ' s great days of fighting sail and 6f the heroic Americans who so successfully took :h«r 1) aea to {defend their freedom. 01 DIVISION When it comes to this division, and the job they perlorm, perhaps it ' s more appropriate to talk about the future rather than the past, because a walk into the Combat Information Center is Hke stepping into a scene from Star Wars . Operations Speciahsts are the Hfe support for the ship ' s nerve center, gathering information from over a dozen sophisticated sensors, evaluating it, and building it into a complex yet usable tactical picture. Pilots depend on them for directions, the bridge counts on their timely recommendations, and at any given time six or seven different ships or stations will be talking with them on as many radio circuits. The pace is non-stop and totally demanding, but the men of Mississippi ' s 01 division always rise to the occasion. LCDR M. Flaherty Operations Officer LT S. Kundrat W. Burge 0S2 W. Carlisle 0S3 R. Davis OSSN F. Tirade OSSN OSSN OSSN OSSN S. Hazell B. Hebel F. Kuebbeler J. Stevens OSSA OSSA B. Johnson L. Ponton OE DIVISION Electronic Warfare Specialist LTJG W. Barraclough EWC J. Joyce iiii EW2 C. Trimpey EWSN S. Stevenson ilfM-h In this age of air launched and sub launched cruise missiles, the Electronic Warfare Specialists of OE division are one of the ship ' s most valuable assets. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology in the AN SLQ - 32, they can, with great facility, identify electromagnet emissions from virtually any platform in the air or sea. But their usefulness doesn ' t stop there, because the SLQ-32 is quite a diverse and capable piece of gear. These men and their sophisticated equipment add a new and very important dimension to Mississippi ' s ability to engage and foil any enemy platform, at any time, anywhere. The Competition. A Soviet Kashin class destroyer trails our task group to learn a few things from the big boys. 21 LT M. Hoekstra BMCS E. Siddell BM2 D. Steel FIRST DIVISION Jack Tar, who climbed monkey lines, skirted across yardarms, and set the topgallants, singing sea chanties all the while, lives to this very day. Perhaps the days of wooden decks and canvas sails have passed, but the spirit of seamanship can be found on any given day in 1st Division. The Boatswain ' s Mates haven ' t changed, only the equipment they work on, and what a complex task that involves. Nothing compares to the sight of two massive ships, less than two hundred feet apart, bound together by wire and lines, sending tons of cargo across a tumultuous sea. Such is the work of 1st Division. Whether they ' re landing a utility boat alongside, or landing a thundering helo on the fantail, our Mississippi Boatswain ' s Mates are second to none. Who knows, you may even hear them singing an occasional sea chantey. Heave away cheerily, Ho! _ ..— . . ,_ BM3 C. Guessford SN BM3 S. Hernandez R. Whitlow BM3 BM3 B. Patterson S. Babcock SN SN D. Ervin S. Salisbury SN B. Avery SN D. Bible SN G. Figueroy SN E. Rivera SN D. Brower SN M. Rathbone SN S. DiBlasi SN C. Burton SA A. Reilly SA SA SA SA W. Billie A. Hinds R. Hughes J. Rogers 25 SA J. Hardirnan SA J. Kennedy SA J. Breaux SA F. Galban r SA L. Febles SA P. Kenney SA B. Thomas SA D. Wogoman SA J. Robertson 26 LT M. Kelsey ON DIVISION When Christopher Columbus sailed to the new world, his principal means of navigation was using the sun to determine latitude. Then, using a compass, he headed due west in search of India. As one can see, navigation is a relatively modern art, and our Quartermasters practice it with exceptional skill. Ask any member of ON division the famous question Where are we? , and they can draw on such things as celestial , Omega , Dead Reckoning , Sat Nav , and Piloting to tell you. It takes a special kind of talent to stand on the bridge wing at dusk, observe the altitudes of three or four stars from a rolling deck, and then boil that information down into a navigational fix. The next time you walk out on deck and see the lights of a familiar port fading with the dawn, you can thank the Mississippi navigators for guiding you safely there. QMS J. Hodges QM3 R. Stelle QM3 G. Herriman QM3 C. O ' Hare QMSN R. McBride Quartermaster OC DIVISION Radioman ■felfe It was the battle of Mar- athon in ancient Greece, from which the famous 26 mile race takes it name, in which a soldier ran from Thermopolae to Marathon in order to inform his fellow citizens that Greece had won the battle. Over two millenia later. Nelson was the first naval com- mander to employ tactical signal flags to emerge triumphant in such famous encounters as the Battle of Copenhagen and the Battle of the Nile. From long distance runners to Nelson, to the present day, naval communications have seen incredible change, utilizing methods that range from semaphore to satellite communications. The men of OC division, our Signal- men and Radiomen, make all that happen. Imagine having to wait months for messages and news from home to reach the ship by sail! Today ' s high speed communications are of infinite benefit to all facets of Mississippi ' s operations — one can easily see how invaluable the talents of OC division ' s personnel are. G. Hasick LTJG T. Herlihy RMCS RM2 S. Mikkelsen RM2 D. Wohlers RM3 R. Gannon RM3 C. Smith RM3 RMSN RM3 RMSN RMSA RMSA T. Devine B. McCormick P. Modlin T. Bailey D. Dismuke A. Chamblee Jk Signalman SMI M. Silvey Anyone seeking a definition of the word skill will find it on the ship ' s signal bridge. There one can observe our signalmen communicating at an amaz- ingly fast rate, utilizing morse code on the flashing lights, the choreography of semaphore, and the colorful speed of signal flags. And what ' s the identity of that ship on the horizon? The signal- men will be the first to let you know. The signaling tradition employed so successfully by the Royal Navy in the early ISOO ' s is alive and well today. SM3 H. Saenz SM3 L. Hill SMSN B. Harrell r a d ii iU SMSN R. Gennett SMSN L. Andes SMSA P. Sliker CLASSIC FOX Whenever the fleet wants to try out a new piece of equipment in an operational environment the first ship they come to is the MISSISSIPPI. Our latest tasking of this sort goes under the name of Classic Fox, an experimental command, control, and communications countermeasures system. Manned by a detachment of cryptological technicians as well as two civilian technical representatives, Fox was put through its paces for the first four months of the cruise. If the test proves successful, it will just be one more of many technologies Mississippi has introduced to the fleet. LTJG J. Blake CTTC R. Marron CTTC B. Swisher J. Bleakley S. Wong CTRl J. McNish CTTl S. Evans 31 Cryptologic Technician J LT R. Smith CTTC G. Baldwin CTTC J. Mell gj flBy m Bi B CTAl J. Streer CTOl J. Hester CTRl G. Monnat OT DIVISION World War II, western Pacific. U.S. militar ' specialists have broken the Japanese Imperial Navy ' s code, resulting in a complete routing of the enemy fleet in the Battle of Midway. Such intelligence operations are of even greater importance today, and Mississippi ' s Cryp- tological Technicians, nicknamed Spooks , provide an invaluable asset to the Mississippi ' s overall operational capabilities. The technicians of OT spend countless hours gathering and evaluating a tremendous amount of sometimes unrelated data, giving the ship and the force a notable tactical advantage. Because of the nature of their work, there isn ' t much you can say about them, but one thing you can say, it ' s great having them on ourside. They ' re the best in the world at what thev do. CT02 W. Griffin CTM2 K. Walsh CTM2 F. Potchak CTT3 M. Coogan MONITOR 987 tons, 172 feet MONITOR was designed and built in New York in 1861. She was small, and flat, with a single revolving turret for control, navigation, and fighting. She carried two eleven-inch guns, which protruded from the eight inch thick shielding of her turret. MONITOR left New York in March of 1862 and headead for the Virginia capes. As she approached Cape Henry, the crew could hear the roar of gunfire coming from Hampton Roads. It was the CSS VIRGINIA, a Confederate ironclad ram rebuilt from the captured steam frigate MERRIMACK. VIRGINIA was captained by flag officer Franklin Buchanan and was in the process of destroying the Union fleet of wooden sailing ships which were blockading Norfolk. One ship was rammed and sunk, another set ablaze, and a third, the MINNESOTA, run hard aground. As night fell, the VIRGINIA retired to Sewell ' s Point, and the MONITOR reported to the Union commander for duty. The next morning the VIRGINIA steamed out to finish off the grounded MINNESOTA, and was instead intercepted by the MONITOR. One astounded Confederate officer wrote that the tiny defender of the Union fleet looked like an immense shingle floating on the water with a gigantic cheese box rising from its center; no sails, no wheels, no smokestack, no guns. For four intense hours the two ironclads dueled in the waters only hundreds of yards away from where the MISSISSIPPI is now berthed. The battle was a draw, for neither ship could significantly hurt the other. Tactically, though, it was a Union success, as the wooden Northern ships were saved from destruction. The two ships never renewed their battle, because several weeks later the Confederate forces were forced to withdraw from Norfolk and the southern bank of the James River. The VIRGINIA was too deep of draft to reach Richmond, so she was burned by her crei The MONITOR steamed up the James, protecting the flank of the Union forces operating on the Northern of the river, and she continued to support the blockade in Hampton Roads for the remainder of the year. In December she was ordered south for operations in the Carolines. Leaving Norfolk on December 29, she foundered in a storm off Cape Hatteras and was lost on December 31. In 1973 the wreck of the MONITOR was found, due to the efforts of a group of midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. The ocean bottom where the brave and historic little warship now lies has been designated as the United States ' first marine Sanctuary. LCDR T. Etnyre Engineer MISSISSIPPI ' S Engineering De- partment makes the ship go through the water and supports the systems and men who ride aboard. The largest department on the ship, MISSISSIPPI ' S Engineers operate the two nuclear reactors and the dozens of auxiliary systems associat- ed with the daily life of the ship. MISSISSIPPI recently received a third consecutive Excellent on the annual Operational Reactor Safeguards Exam, a feat un- precedented in the history of the Naval Nuclear Power Program. For MISSISSIPPI ' S Engineers, as for the rest of the ship, being Excellent is just business as usual. iiiiii LT M. Hugel Damage Control Assistant LT M. Nesselrode Main Propulsion Assistant LT M. Donovan Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant YN2 D. McCoy LT J. Hutton Electrical Officer 36 Engineering Laboratory Technician f a f LTJG R. Wray MMC R. Breed MMl C. Grass MMl M. Micca MMl R. LaFrenierre MM2 D. Gibbs at MM2 G. Macy 1 i di a MM B Jn m tk MM2 J. Massa MM2 D. Nabers MM2 J. Martz MM2 W. Weisberg MM2 D. Altemus Today ' s Engineering Laboratory Technicians might be described as modern day alchemists, with one major difference. Their medieval predecessors spent year after year trying to discover a way to turn lead into gold, and, of course, they failed. But making an entire propulsion plant corrosion resistant, and keeping that same plant radiologically safe, is the success story of the specially trained machinist ' s mates of L Division. Water, that magical liquid that serves as the blood of MISSISSIPPI ' S powerful propulsion systems, is maintained in perfect health under the watchful eyes of L Division. Diligent analysis and precise chemical additions are ELT trademarks, and when they ' re not attending to the many different fluids that flow through the plants, they provide personal dosimetry for all to ensure that MISSISSIPPI ' S nuclear power plants remain totally safe for all personnel involved. Small but mighty L Division is just another reason why MISSISSIPPI ' S engineering department is the best in the fleet. •n% h i,Hir ' „ ' --i . , L DIVISION 37 M-1 DIVISION o« Many a man scoffed and laughed out loud when Robert Fulton began work on the first steam driven vessel. One has to wonder how those men would have reacted to the idea of machinery being driven by steam produced by heat of a nuclear reaction. In any event, one thing is certain: the machinists mates who operate and maintain the mechanical systems in  1 plant don ' t give that progression a second thought. The wonders of nuclear power are business as usual for these highly skilled mechanics, who care for everything from feed pumps to the main engine. In a very real sense, they are the descendents of Robert Fulton, and if he were here to see them, he would be very proud indeed. f - iB LTJG D. Palmrose MMC J. Haney e i H JH MMl R. Bolgen MMl J. Moyer MMl R. Sharp MMl I. Hanson ' f MMl R. Madjerich Hi Hi MM2 J. Brown MM2 C. Myers MM2 M. 38 Johnson MM2 S. Smith MM2 T. Noble MM2 J. Opperman Machinist ' s Mate i Hm mat Ifll MMl D. Pettit MMl J. Collins MMl R. Blair MMl R. Giles O MM2 N. Councilman a Hi m MM2 J. Gross Hi MM2 K Aeon MM2 C. McNeal MM2 J. Hoover 39 M-2 DIVISION MMl R. Poole MMl D. Wallace The machinist ' s mates of M-2 Division are instrumental in providing the other half of the hundreds of thousands of horsepower that push the Mighty Miss through the Seven Seas. Gone are the sooty sweaty firemen of old, stoking monstrous furnaces in the bowels of steam ships. They have been replaced by men like these, who can not only tell you how to take apart a pump and put it back together, but describe the theory of its operation as well. Look at it this way, when was the last time you met em auto mechanic who could launch into a eulogy on the principles of combus- tion engineering? The quality of these men and the work they perform is just one of the many reasons MISSISSIPPI goes by the number 4.0! mmm MMl L. Ness MM2 M. Reckner MM2 D. Frazier MM2 J. Larson MM2 D. Gallagher Machinist ' s Mate MM2 T. Fenstermacher MM2 D. Coltman MM3 W. Wern MM3 R. Casey 41 C DIVISION If the ship ' s eyes are her radars, her arms the weapons systems, and her feet the main engines, then her heart is undoubtedly the nuclear reactors which pump power to all those other parts. The men who take care of the reactors are in RC Division. RC stands for reactor controls, and the electronics technicians in RC Division spend their time maintaining and operating the wide assortment of systems which make the reactors produce power safely and efficiently. You won ' t often see them, since they spend their time down in the plants, continually testing and taking care of their gear, ensuring that MISSISSIPPI ' S nuclear reactors are among the safest in the world. But when you ' re operating a radar, or watching TV, or shooting the guns, remember that the power you ' re using comes from those reactors, courtesy of RC Division. P n ET2 D. Eddy ETl K. Morris ETl M. Walker ETl D. Hayes LTJG M. Knapp E f, ' f ET2 J. ET2 D. Brunner Wain ET2 P. Bertsch ET2 L. McCroskey mm m ET2 R. ET2 P. Dietz Beyer ET2 T. Fox ET2 S. Adams n 42 Electronics Technician - r % i o m ET2 L. Leo ET2 T. Chichester ET2 L. Mau8teller a( m m f ET2 J. Gypin ET2 D. Hosman ET2 S. Biellings ET2 R. Gee ET2 M. Ostrowski ET2 T. Mayo mm ET2 F. Purdy ET2 D. Rathbun ET2 K. Glenn ET2 D. Harvey ET2 D. Nadeau ET2 T. Revher 43 LT J. Wallace EMC T. Scheidler EMC R. Smith EMC C. SheU Each day the MISSISSIPPI puts out enough electrical power to light the Empire State Building ten times over, and that power is sent through enough wire to circle the earth about nine times. Add the ship ' s gyroscope and a sophisticated internal communications system to that and you begin to appreciate the awesome responsibilities of the Electrician ' s Mates and Interior Communications Technicians of E Division. The amount of equipment that depends on a steady and dependable source of electric power is truly phenomenal, and the men of E Division keep that source on the line, from the turbine generators, through the electrical panels down in the plants, all the way to the last light bulb above Seaman Jones ' rack. Perhaps the sign on the door of their V 2 J | | workshop best describes the pride they have in their work. It reads If we can ' t fix it, it ain ' t broke! EM2 T. Bertrand 44 Electrician ' s Mate E DIVISION EM2 L. EM2 J. Holets Bowers Interior Communications Technician EM2 J. Gartlan 45 ||AU||1 IC2 M. Marsteller IC2 R. Noice IC2 R. Blackwell r p. fl EM3 R. EM3 J. EM3 D. EMS R. EM3 T. EMS P. Christmas M Uington Mendlowitz Berger Bibey Huber f% iS S HI Hti ? |Bm1111I| d MA 1 ■ . i 10 IC3 M. IB EMS T. EM3 D. pUc j ' v , i . vd Blish Hanchett Robinson Hk _ . ' H 1 _ f M BvvT ' ' K . B H 4B EM2 M. Schares EM2 R. Moberly EM3 W. Vassal EM2 L. Stokes EM3 C. Sookram A DIVISION Once upon a time all a ship needed was sails to move across the water and a stove to cook meals for the crew. But today ' s modern warship requires an incredible amount of auxiliary systems to make our sai work efficiently and keep our crew comfortable. Air conditioners, computer-like galley equipment, prairie air compressors, sewage systems, ice machines, steering gear, ship ' s service steam for heating water and compartments, ice cream makers — all these and dozens more do our work for us every day and make our lives easier, due to the efforts of the Machinist ' s Mates and Enginemen of A Division. Add in the gigantic diesels which provide emergency ships power and the boat engines which take us ashore on liberty, and you can begin to appreciate the tremendous job A Gang does. Then, don ' t forget to add in duty on the flight deck, landing and refueling helos. Next time you take a hot shower or eat some cold ice cream, you can thank the hard workers of A Division. EN2 S. MM2 K. EN2 W. MM2 D. MM2 R. MM2 J. 18 Miller Hofferdietz Chisolm Lynch Bryant Durso ENFN J. Anderson MM3 W. Douglas MM3 M. Faucette MM3 D. Anderson MM3 C. Morro 49 o% MM3 C. GuUa ikM MMFN M. MMFN F. MMFN D. Littel DeValerio Roiger FN P. FN R. ENFN E. MMFN C. ENFN M, McKay Hilbert Roman Machinist ' s Mahan Mate Edwards 50 FA D. Bailey MMFA S. FA J. San Miguel FA T. Featherstone FR J. Croker Engineman 51 mBS 1 Hl ' ' •11 H 1 ■jLv mm HTl E. McLaughlin HTl J. Rockhey MRl J. Mayer R DIVISION Hull Maintenance Technician SJH ' ' T Mm ■ J . ' ■ r jf s HI I V LTJG B. Newman FN J. Games 52 HT2 C. Enriquez HT2 R. Boltinghouse HT3 R. Eagler f ft m FN R. FN G. Castle Madison H fs FA R. Hickok HT2 R. Nissen nne HT2 R. Pearson HT2 B. Spencer HT2 T. Toomey 1 dm MR3 M. Coggio HT3 A. Carver In the days of wooden sailing ships, fire was far more feared than storms or scurvy. One of the measures used to prevent fire was the smoking lamp , a single flame lit for the entire ship. There each sailor could light his pipe and smoke under the watchful eye of the master-at-arms. Today our method of fire prevention is called R Division. But beyond the At-Sea Fire Party, R Division mans the Rescue and Assistance Detail, the Flight Quarters Detail, and the Nuclear Accident Incident Team, and runs all the damage control repair lockers. Besides all this calamity prevention, the hull technicians and machinery repairmen of R Division are the builders of the ship. If anything can be manufactured or fixed or built or welded or drilled or cut or fitted or squared away, they can do it. Who ' s that fellow in the goggles welding in new shelves in your compartment? Who are those guys in red shirts out there bringing in a helo? That ' s R Division, doing the job it ' s supposed to be doing — superbly. Machinery Repairman T DIVISION Years ago training was accomplished only haphazardly, as the old salts would pass down to the younger men tips on how to splice a cable, mend a sail, or find the ship ' s position. Captain Isaac Hull in the CONSTITUTION used to pull into Mediterranean port s to buy books, and he then required his midshipmen and junior officers to read whatever was available. The tremendous amount of knowledge required to operate a nuclear power plant requires a more formal and efficient approach to training. The men of T I, Division teach each new man in engineering the intricacies of the MISSISSIPPI reactor plants. They also maintain an intensive continual training program for those already qualified to run the plants, giving weekly lectures, administering exams, and monitoring the training of each operator as he progresses in his qualifications. As the Navy ' s impressive nuclear safety record shows, our training is the best in the world. And the Excellent on the Operational Reactor Safeguards Exam shows that MISSISSIPPI ' S small but mighty Training Division is the best of the best. ETC Hewitt ETl Bowling MMl Koch ETl Nelson EMI Turcott MM3 Brewster MM ' 2 Amoroso EM2 Schneider 54 Newcomers I As the months roll by, new faces crop up, and older faces disappear from among the crew. Here are some of the new faces aboard the MISSISSIPPI, men who have arrived recently and were un- able to be placed with their division due to cruise book deadlines. Just think - next cruise book, they ' ll be old MISSISSIPPI salts! Top row, left to right: GMM2 R. Broshears, MM3 J. O ' Rourke, MM3 F. Nolin, ET2 G. Branch. Bottom row: EM3 C. Sookram, MM2 T. Glassmire, MM3 A. Faile, ET2 G Wilson. Top row, left to right: GMMC W. Roberts, OSSN W. York, OSSN D. Robinson, SR J. Copeland. Bottom row: GMMSN R. Scott, CTT3 J. McGuire, SR J. Aydelott. 55 OLYMPIA 5600 tons, 344 feet OLYMPIA was built in San Francisco and after commissioning immediately sailed west to become flagship of the Asiatic Squadron. For three years she cruised the Far East, visiting Japan, China, and the Philippines. In April of 1898, while the OLYMPIA was in Hong Kong, war was declared with Spain. She sailed to engage the enemy fleet based in Manila, with Captain Charles Gridley in command and Commodore George Dewey embarked as Fleet Commander. The Americans darkened ship and slipped past the harbor defenses at daybreak. Dewey remembered later, When we were within a distance of 5000 yards, I turned to Captain Gridley and said, ' You may fire when you are ready, Gridley ' . . . The very first gun to speak was an 8-inch ... of the OLYMPIA ... By noon the Americans, led by Dewey and the OLYMPIA, had destroyed Spain ' s entire Asian fleet. The battle was pivotal in the history of the Far East, and thus of the world. After the war OLYMPIA patrolled actively throughout the world, roving the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and along the American east coast. In World War I she escorted convoys and served as flagship for the Atlantic Fleet Patrol Force. In 1921 she brought home from France the remains of the Unknown Soldier for interment in Arlington National Cemetery. The OLYMPIA was decommissioned in 1922. She is now the Navy ' s oldest steel ship still afloat, berthed in Philadelphia, and preserved as a memorial to those who sailed her. Gunner ' s Mate LCDR T. Cooper Combat Systems Officer LT E. Baron CO DIVISION ( ( GMGC D. Chapman GMMl M. Downey GMGl C. Norman GMMl M. Young GMG2 L. Stephens GMM2 T. Machen TM02 L. Carter GMM2 C. Morse The ancient Greeks used rams, grappling hooks, and catapult-launched Greek Fire to wage their version of surface warfare. Our Gunner ' s Mates (Guns) and Gunner ' s Mates (Missiles) have replaced those weapons with the Standard Missile, the Five Inch Gun, Anti-Submarine Rockets, and the Mk 46 Torpedo. Ordinance is their business, and a very effective business it is — the wreckage of countless drones and surface targets destroyed by Mississippi gunners attests to that. Whether it ' s delivering Naval Gunfire Support to Vieques Island, or handling a high pressure ammo transfer underway, CO division is there to do the job, and the Missile and Gunnery E ' s they share with the rest of the Combat Systems Department is testimony to the calibre (no pun intended) of the job they do. 58 p f GMG3 D. Heerdt GMM3 S. Rumbaugh GMG3 H. Hayes TM03 G. Russell GMG3 GMMSN A. LeTourneau M. Bonestele WrU m 14 iA Jl J GMMSN GMMSA R. Ridenour M. Roberts GMGSN A. Brill GMGSN GMMSA R. Givens K. Wagner GMMSA M. Crawford DIVISION The need for a viable, effective means of hunting submaries became all too apparent when in September of 1914, three British destroyers were sunk by a single German U-boat off the coast of Holland. Since that time, antisubmar- ine warfare has evolved into a tech- nological art. and the Sonar Tech- nicians of CA division are well schooled in their demanding discipline. Aided by state of the art sonar equipment, they can listen to the noise a submarine thousands of yards away is making, and by the characteristics of that sound alone, they can identify what kind of submarine they ' re listening to. This small but vital division rounds out Mississippi ' s all-mission weapons capability. Submarines can Run Silent, Run Deep if they want to, but chances are, the Sonar Technicians of CA division are listening in, ready to take action at a moment ' s notice. 60 STG2 R. Meyer STG2 J. Sanders STG2 C. Cross STGl D. Weeks m 3 STG3 W. Clark STG3 M. Keene STGSN W. Kendall STG2 J. Tarpey It is difficult to comprehend the number of calculations modern mar- iners have to make on a daily basis. But if you took them all, and tried to do them by hand, there wouldn ' t be enough room on the ship for the paper, pencils, formula books, and men to perform those calculations. The speed and accuracy with which so many of our shipboard systems function would be impossible without the computer software and hardware maintained by the Date Systems Technicians of CD division. When you talk about our technological edge, and realize that Mississippi ' s computer systems are similar to the ones that put Americans on the moon, the talent and profession- alism of our computer technicians becomes readily apparent. DSl DSl K. Benson J. Osburn r DS2 L. Willis DS2 J. Prevost CW04 E. Thomas DSC D. Allen IM P DS2 K. Brooks Data Systems Technician CD DIVISION DS3 D. DeHart 61 ENS C. Murphy CE DIVISION History tells us that Ben Franklin discovered electricity. One has to wonder if the jolt he received in that lightning storm gave him any clue as to the power modern man would harness from the simple flow of electrons. Mississippi ' s Electronics Technicians fully realize and utilize the almost infinite capabilities of the newest branch of electricity — electronics. An assembly of vacuum tubes the size of a suitcase has been replaced by micro chips that can easily fit on the end of a man ' s finger. And not only do our ET ' s work with these components on a daily basis, they fix them too. Countless divisions depend upon the expertise of these skilled technicians to trouble shoot and repair millions of dollars worth of equipment, not to mention their own. TACAN, the AN SPS-40 radar, and the AN SPS-55 radar are constantly up and running thanks to the talent and dedication of the men of CE division. ET2 ET2 r V ' JlSbI M J ET2 K. Davis ET2 G. Foley 62 Electronics Technician 1 w IC2 G. Stultz . - ET3 L. Devine ET3 J. Odell ET3 J. Gump ET3 G. Bangos It Mm ETC W. Baranski ET3 M. Pewarchie ETSN R. Todd ETSN J. Tarrant 63 In the days of John Paul Jones and Ho ratio Nelson, the only method of tire control commonly used was to hang a weight from a long piece of line as a pendulum. As the ship rolled the weight would swing back and forth, and when positioned directly over a certain point corresponding to a level deck, the guns would be fired. Less than two hundred years later, our Fire Control Technicians, in both Guns and Missiles, maintain and operate the most advanced aiming and targeting systems in the world. Our FT ' s provide for the care and feeding of a three dimensional air search radar, and three sophisticated fire control radars. Fire control solutions are solved by the division ' s missile and fire control systems, while black powder and fuses have been replaced by space age missile fire and gun control consoles. Additionally, the one hundred yard cannons of old have been replaced by the FT ' s impressive surface-to-surface missile system: Harpoon, CF division ' s valuable contributions to Mississippi ' s gunery and missile performance helped the ship win the coveted E ' s for both weapons. LTJG J. McFadden FTGC W. Cook FTMC F. Germo f CF DIVISION AHmIIHI FTMl W. Geller FTM2 FTM2 M. Easter F. Peirick 64 FTM2 FTM2 FT(;2 J. Martin J. Sidlauskas B. England Fire Control Technician HP IH P HIH WB ' r l • 1 V  it BH FTM2 J. Hurnyak FTM2 C. Hirschy o t m FTM2 FTG3 J. Brooks M. Newborn FTG3 T. Goering FTM3 A. Gales FTMSA P. Hamilton NEVADA 27,500 tons, 583 feet NEVADA was built in Quincy, Massachusetts and commissioned in March of 1916. She was the first American battleship to burn oil instead of coal to make steam. NEVADA cruised the east coast and the Caribbean until World War I came, when she returned to Norfolk to train gunners for the war. In 1918 she served with the British Grand Fleet, keeping the German fleet at bay, and NEVADA helped escort President Wilson when he sailed to Euroi e after the war. After operating with the Atlantic Fleet throughout the 1920 ' s, NEVADA was modernized in Norfolk and sent to the Pacific in 1930 for duty. When the Japanese attacked on 7 December 1941, NEVADA was in Pearl Harbor, but moored seperately from the other battleships. She was able to get underway, but was hit by al least two Japanese bombs. While trying to leave the harbor, she was . struck again, and her captain feared she might sink in: the channel, blocking the harbor. Instead, he ordered her run aground at the mouth of the harbor. and sent to Alaska to provide fire support for operations there. She then sailed to Norfolk for further work and in April 1944 reached British waters in time for the Normandy invasion. During the invasion, her mighty guns pounded not only permanent shore defenses ... but ranged as far as 17 miles inland, breaking up German concentrations and counterat- tacks. Shore batteries straddled her 27 times, but failed to diminish her accurate fire. After further duty in southern France, NEVADA sailed for the Pacific, arriving in February 1945 to support the Marine landing at Iwo Jima. Though struck by a kamikaze plane, she remained on station throughout the entire Okinawa campaign. After the Japanese surrender and a short time spent in Tokyo Bay in occupation duty, NEVADA was chosen as one of the target ships for the Bikini atomic experiments. The NEVADA survived the test and was eventually decommissioned in August of 1946. She was sunk by gunfire and torpedoes off Hawaii in July of 1948. This brave old veteran received seven battle stars for her years of faithful service to the nation. Refloated two months later, NEVADA, was repaired S-1 DIVISION LCDR S. Scudder Supply Officer Storekeeper Admiral Bull Halsey once remarked that a ship is always referred to as ' she ' because it costs so much to keep her in paint and powder. That saying is as true today as it was then. But paint and powder do not adequately describe the tremendous material support required by a ship of the line like the Mississippi. Our Storekeepers magically turn requisition chits into anything from fuses to amplifiers to pumps, working long and hard to keep every piece of equipment on the ship in top condition, either by drawing the part from ship ' s stores, or expediting its delivery from any number of sea and land-based supply sources. Mississippi is one happy lady because S-1 division does such an outstanding job of keeping her in all the paint and powder she could possible want. SKCS B. Terrv SKI C. Lee SKSN SKSN R. Rodriguez M. Smith SKSN SKSN F. Melendez L. Gordon S-3 DIVISION 1 1 Mm Twice a month, S-3 division becomes the moat important division on the ship, because they have the special task of distributing the fruits of our labor, our pay. From base pay, to BAQ, to VHA, to COMRATS, there are over thirty different types of pay. Multiply that by five hundred crew members, add cashing checks, exchanging foreign currency, and running the ship ' s store, barber shop, and fountain. Divide all that by a handful of Disbursing Clerks and Ship ' s Serviceman, and you are left with the realization that these men are very hard workers indeed. Money may not buy happiness, but twice a month, this division always seems to put big smiles on everyone ' s faces. SHSA B. Genung SH3 C. Rouse SHSN C. Chatman SHSN F. Myre SH3 C. Garvin Disbursing Clerk Ship ' s Serviceman S-2 DIVISION Napolean said than an army marches on its stomach. The nav-y, in turn, sails on its stomach. The sailors of Napolean ' s era existed on a diet of salted pork, biscuit, briny water, and if they were lucky, an occasional fruit or vegetable to ward off scurvy. Compare that to the Surf and Turf the men of S-2 division provide for those always ■ welcome Mississippi Sundays at Sea. Feeding five hundred with hearty appetites fives times a day is no small task, but our Mess Management Specialists seem to do it all with ease, and, best of all, with taste! Even those battle messing box lunches are good eating — just ask the helicopter crews that keep coming back for more of them. If only Napolean had had S-2 division under his command, things might have turned out differently at Waterloo. Thanks to Mftl Abordo, specialty cakes, like this one for Truck Stop Sunday, ' add an extra flair to Mississippi Sundays at Sea. i m mM mk MSCS K. Stephens MSC L. Bautista MSC J. Cantirino ENS J. Glenn Mess Management Specialist MSl MS2 MS2 MS2 MS2 MS3 P. Zumel C. Farrales R. Southern D. Stevens K. Osselborn M. Bennett 1 MS3 MS3 R. Consemiu R. Golden MSSN MSSA MSSA MSSA R. Turber K. Mails M. Doerrer G. Soresino ENTERPRISE 19,800 tons, 810 feet The ENTERPRISE was built in Norfolk and, was the eleventh American ship to bear that illustrious name. She ■••as commissioned in 1938 and, after a year of Atlantic operations, ordered to the Pacific for duty. ENTERPRISE was on her way back from delivering a Marine Corps fighter squadron to Wake Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Planes from the Big E arrived during the battle and helped to defend the airbase, and the ENTERPRISE herself sank a Japanese submarine just after the attack. After making runs in December and January through the Central Pacific islands, where ENTERPRISE ' S task force sank three ships and damaged eight, her next job was the escort of the carrier HORNET westward. HORNET carried General Jimmy Doolittle ' s Army bombers within 600 miles of Tokyo. From there they flew on to bomb the Japanese capital in what proved to be a major shot in the arm for American morale. . ' After covering the successful Tokyo raid, ]?; ENTERPRISE returned to Pearl Harbor to begin preparing for the expected Midway campaign. She sailed in; late May with Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance aboard, and with orders to hold Midway and inflict maximum damage on the enemy by strong attrition tactics. With the carriers ENTERPRISE. HORNET, YORKTOWN, eight cruisers, and sixteen destroyers, the Americans did just that. The Japanese lost 4 carriers, 1 cruiser, and 272 aircraft, while the U.S. lost only 1 carrier, 1 destroyer, and 113 aircraft. The tide of war in the Pacific had been turned in the United States ' favor. Ranging the ocean from Honshu to California, the rest of the war for the Big E sounds like a description of a map of the Pacific: Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Makin Island, Kwajalein, Truk, Yap, Ulithi, Palau, Saipan, Guam, the Marianas, Okinawa, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Iwo Jima, the Japanese islands Honshu and Kyushu. ENTERPRISE was there, constantly hitting, constantly being hit and repairing herself and going back to hit some more. And along the way she scored some firsts: the first carrier to be awarded a Presidentfal Unit Citation (presented by Admiral Chester Nimitz), first carrier to conduct night fighter ops, first carrier to make night radar bombing runs. Through all the major battles of the Pacific War, from Midway to the Philippine Sea, from Guadalcanal to the kamikaze runs off Okinawa in 1945, ENTERPRISE helped form the backbone of the U.S. effort in that theatre of war. She remains one of the first ladies of modern American warships for her valor and for her success. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Wooden ships, iron men. The men had to be, just to survive the medical treatment or lack of it. Those were the days when the only anesthesia for a critical operation was a shot of rum and a bullet to bite on, days of pox and scurvy. The art of medicine has come a long way since those times, and medical treatment aboard war- ships has progressed right along with it. The crew of the Mississippi receives first-rate medical attention from the ship ' s outstanding Doctor and Hospital Corpsmen. There is no better feeling than to walk into sick bay with some ailment, and not only know that you ' re going to receive the best possible treatment, but that the men who give it are concerned, caring shipmates. H division gives added meaning to the phrase The Navy takes care of its own . Hospital Corpsman HM ' 2 R. Glasgow HMl M. Knappen Q HMl W. Briiwn HM3 J. VanCott i Religious Program Specialist CDR B. Lovejoy p Chaplain c. Hefner As long as sailors have gone to sea, certain members of the crew have risen to places of stature within the community of the ship. These senior men emerge as leaders because of their rank and experience, and they have in turn been given higher responsibilities and rank because they have shown themselves to be leaders among their peers and juniors. The chiefs fulfill this vital role of big brother to the crewmen of the Mississippi. They serve as models to the younger men, and look out for the interests of the crew as a whole. All the men of the Mississippi are indebted to these men for their dedication and straightforward guidance. 1 C MC R. White ] Command Master Chief Navy Counselor ENCS W. Ackerman 3-M Coordinator HH NCC M. Burns Career Counselor 75 X DIVISION PN3 W. Gray YNSN D. Adams YNSA D. Poulin Personnelman Who said No job is finished until the paperwork is done. ? Ask any one of the Personnelmen or Yeomen on board, because they have the guy ' s picture on a dartboard in the ship ' s office. It has also been said that the Nav-j ' has more tonnage in paper than it does in ships, and X division does a truly remarkable job in keeping it all moving. They can do on a typewriter what Chopin and Beethoven did on the piano: create! Whether it ' s a letter of commendation, your leave papers, or a service record entry, X division does it all with style. Where would each of the departments be without their respective Yeoman? Up to their ears in paperwork, that ' s where! Thanks to these dedicated men, every ship ' s job does get done, in a most timely and professional manner. Master-At-Arms Postal Clerk Journalist PCSN J. Miklas SN K. Smith JOS J. DeAngio The ship ' s Chaplain and the Master-at-Arms have very similar jobs: they both look out for souls that have gone astray. But just about everyone would agree that a visit with the former is much less painless. Even the most powerfully armed and sophisticated ship in the world is worthless without the very important idea these men support: morale. No two words seem to possess more magic than the phrase Mail call , and the long hours the ship ' s postal clerks put in sorting and cancelling all those letters can turn a bad day into a great one. And thanks to the untiring efforts of our journalist, the men of the Mississippi and their families are kept complete- ly up to date on what ' s happening in their lives, not to mention the remendous benefit the Site TV system brings everyone on board. When you see one of these men walking around the ship, take a little time out to thank them for helping to provide the spirit that makes Mississippi the greatest ship in the world ' s greatest Navy. R MORE NEWCOMING PERSONNEL - Top, left to right, PC3 A. Williams, MS3 B. Dayao, MSC L. Bautista, SN P. Kenney. Bottom, YNSN W. Taylor, SR A. Charette. s II Top, left to right, SR K. Greene, SR J. Simmons, BM3 S. Little. Bottom, SR A. Langron, SR A. Gibbs. BELIEVE IT OR NOT . . . THE MISSISSIPPI traveled 46,160 nautical miles, turning her propellers about 17 million times. ENGINEERING spent 23,000 manhours in training lectures and drills, performed 16,000 chemical analyses, and made 3 ' 2 million gallons of water for crew use. OPERATIONS ran 226 helo landings requiring 142,450 flight deck manhours, sent out 12,0.52 lbs of mail, and received 25,134 lbs of mail in return. COMBAT SYSTEMS fired 8 missiles, 486 rounds of 5 ammo, 2960 machine gun rounds, and 6500 rifle rounds. SUPPLY fed 250,521 meals to the crew at a cost of $325,000, cooking 41,768 cheeseburgers, 142,248 eggs, and 3180 lbs of coffee. They also washed 100,000 lbs of clothes. ADMIN MEDICAL sold $281,284 of money orders and $14,452 of postage stamps, advanced 173 crewmembers, ran over 1600 hours of TV programming, and administered 237 annual physicals and 1322 immunization shots. i i PA 3 August 10 August 18-19 August 24 August-2 September 4-6 September 9 September 14-17 September 18-22 September 1-4 October 5 October 6 October 26 October- 11 November 14 October 18-24 October 27 November-4 December 10-14 Decem ber 17 December 23 December-4 January 11-15 January 17 January 18-25 January 31 January 12 February Depart Norfolk Reported for duty in the Mediterranean Open Ocean MIS ' SILEX, Gulf of Sidra Inport Athens, Greece ENCOUNTEREX with SIXTH Fleet Units Exercise at Salto Di Quirra Range Inport Tunis, Tunisia Inport Naples, Italy DISPLAY DETERMINATION EXERCISE with NATO Forces Inport Venice, Italy Emergency Sortie from Venice due to President Sadat ' s assassination Inport Gaeta, Italy OPERATION BRIGHT STAR with Egyptian Forces Exercise ILES D ' OR with French Forces Inport Livorno, Italy Inport Haifa, Israel MISSILEX at Namfi Range Inport Gaeta, Italy for Christmas Inport Tangiers, Morocco Turnover Day NATIONAL WEEK EXERCISES with SIXTH Fleet Units Departed Med for transit to CONUS Arrived Norfolk 79 RIVER PATROL BOATS (PBR) 8 tons, 32 feet As many contemporary historians point out, the Viet Nam War was an armed conflict in which modern and primitive technologies clashed, a war with no borders and an unseen enemy. It required an almost complete departure from standard methods of warfare. The United States Navy met the need for water borne control of coastal and river systems in late 1965 with squadrons of small powerful River Patrol Boats (PBR) and the larger Patrol Craft (Fast), more commonly referred to as Swift Boats. Powered by twin engines, these highly maneuverable riverine craft could attain speeds of up to thirty knots, speeds essential to their survivability. . Typical armament consisted of a twin fifty calibre machine gun mounted forward, and an eighty one millimeter mortar with a fifty calibre piggy-back mounted aft. Armed with these weapons and an array of small arms, the PBR ' s and PCF ' s operated from the Demilitarized Zone to the Gulf of Tonkin, and into Cambodia. They ran up rivers just slightly wider than the boats themselves, with a riverbed just inches below the keel. Six Navy men normally formed the crew of each boat: a lieutenant or a lieutenant junior grade, a quartermaster, a radarman, a boatswain ' s mate, a gunner ' s mate, and an engineman, all cross-trained to perform each other ' s jobs when necessary. No two missions were alike. One day could find them conducting psychological warfare in villages upriver, while another was spent searching fishing vessels along the coast. The boats also participated in several major inland military operations during the course of the Hundreds of these small, swift vessels heavily contributed to the overall Navy mission in Viet Nai They once again underscored our fleet ' s ability to meet any foe, any time, on any body of water. tttttn .7,. If Athens was our first port and a welcome stop after several hectic weeks at sea. Fantastic weather, plenty of tourists, and a city that generally en- joyed American sailors made for a pleasant stay. Clockwise from upper right: The Parthenon sits high over the city on the Acropolis; street scene outside Athens; ancient ampitheatre built at the base of the Acropolis; view from the Parthenon toward the sea, where the MISSIS- SIPPI lies anch «| Mobil Super , «apn,a OTO 82 Clockwise from upper right: Venus, Hermes, and Pan; Dawn on the Saronic Gulf; CTMl Jim Potchak contemplates one of Greece ' s finer products; View from a cafe table near the Plaka marketplace; An ancient temple as seen from the hill of the .Acropolis. ifeii Athens, Greece 83 Venice is one of the most colorful and exquisite cities in Europe, and was an unforgettable experience for those who were lucky enough to get ashore. Unfortunately, a general recall follow- ing the death of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt cancelled all liberty, and cut off our already too-brief stay at that famous port. Those who did see the city found it even more charming, elegant, and interesting than all the legends suggest. Opposite page, clockwise from upper right: The Basilica of Saint Mark; Venice and Saint Mark ' s Square after dark; The Bridge of Sighs ; taxi traffic under the same bridge: Venetian mosaic. This page, clockwise from upper right: Annual gondola race in Saint Mark ' s basin; FTM2 Jay Joe Cool Martin makes new friends in Saint Mark ' s Square; Going for an afternoon boat ride; Saint Barnabas canal, one of the many back streets of Venice; Statues in the square watch the people go by. Venice, Italy S ' ETTOR lOCHATELLVrfECre Il .. UUIIllH.. 86 Tunis, Tunisia Tunis was our first visit to Africa, and this old city, the descendant of ancient Carthage, provided new experiences to those accustomed to the towns in Italy. Spain, and Greece. Tunis was two cities, the newer side reflecting the French influence of the mid twentieth century, and the older side mirroring the Arab influence which dominates North Africa. From sophisticat- ed hotel discos to the traditional -■Xrab Medina. Tunis had it all. Clockwise from upper right: GMGl C. Norman explores some Arab architecture; The Catholic Cathedral in the center of town proves Tunis ' s varied religious and ethnic makeup; .A shop on the outskirts of the old marketplace; Potential recruits line up for a joint ID card photo; The gate is all that is left of the old wall of the city, and marks the dividing line between the business section of town and the Medina marketplace. Gaeta, Italy Gaeta is a small town on the Italian coast between Naples and Rome, and was our home during a ten day maintenance period at the end of October and during the Christmas break. Built on a small peninsula, the city lives on tourism and its fishing trade. For MISSISSIPPI sailors, however, Gaeta was the gateway to Rome, which was only an hour or two away by train. Almost everyone made the trip up to Rome at least once, and all who visited learned why Rome always has been and always will be one of Europe ' s greatest and most impressive cities. Clockwise from upper left: Gaeta fisherman mending his nets; Typical fish market scene; Piazze Barberini in Rome; A panoramic view of Rome; Michelangelo ' s Moses, in the cathedral of Saint Paul. k..L. ■-% %m 87 mM , ss 8 •1 Opposite page, clockwise from upper right: The dome of Saint Peter ' s Basilica; Rome ' s most famous resident, Pope John Paul II; The Creation as depicted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; Pope John Paul II in the procession at Midnight Mass, which was attended by a busload of MISSISSIPPI sailors; The Pieta in Saint Peter ' s, sculpted by Michelangelo when he was 24 years old; Saint Peter ' s Chair, created by Bernini, and placed at the head of the Basilica. This page, clockwise from upper right: Night view of the Colosseum; The Colosseum interior — The main arena was built of wood and placed on the stone supports shown. The area could also be flooded for water battles, if desired; Trevi fountain after dark; Saint Peter ' s Square. The Sistine Chapel, where the College of Cardinals meets to elect a new pope. 88 Rome, Italy - i!? 89 Haifa, Israel •-flyt.-Sff - ? - ' l :::::::::: ::r:: i ' rr - o ti- MM fca ; :EP- ' ' ' ?a.-- -S - - -vati BM Haifa, Israel, our anchorage in early December, was considered by many the best port we visited. Good weather, friendly Israelis, sports events, and an extraordinary array of historical places to visit made Haifa memorable for everyone. Many MISSIS- SIPPI sailors took the opportunity to visit Bethlehem, Nazareth, .Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the local kibbutz, while others found everything they wanted to see without ever leaving Haifa. Whatever the preference, the visit to Israel was ranked by all among the highlights of the cruise. Opposite page, clockwise from upper right: The old and the new Jerusalem as seen from the mount of Olives; An Arab and his camel pose in front of the Abraham mosque in Hebron; The shrine built at the scene of Christ ' s birth, beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem; Church built in the Garden of Gethsemane — some of the olive trees there are 2000 years old; scene outside the city; Jerusalem native. This page, clockwise from below: Beduin woman carrying water the way it has been carried for 2000 years; The dome of the Great Mosque in Jerusalem; Arabic mosque outside Jerusalem; An overview of Haifa as seen from Mount Carmel. 90 2 ■ p¥1 .:;iiir Perhaps no other port epitomizes American sailors in Europe as much as Naples. Sometimes exciting, sometimes humdrum, poor monetarily but rich in culture and spirit, Naples has a character all her own. From the Hey Joe ' s on the landing to the quaint backstreet restaurants, from the ruins of Pompeii to the posh villas of Capri, Naples and the surrounding area offers something for everyone. Opposite page, clockwise from upper right: MISSISSIPPI men walk down a scenic road in Capri; A face from Naples ' past stares out over the square; PN3 Bill Gray and new friend Ben Gazzara in Capri; Some of the ruins at Pompeii; Mount Vesuvius. . This page, clockwise from upper right: A view from Mount Vesuvius out over the Bay of Naples; FTM2 John Hurnyak relaxes in Capri; Scenic waterfront resort, the famous Naples castle at the waterfront. 1 -i i5 J H Naples, Italy 93 Livorno, Italy Livorno is on the western coast of Italy near Pisa and Florence. That port visit is remembered well for the bad weather which left the crew stranded — some on shore, and others onboard. Those on shore spent their nights in the gym at Camp Darby, and their days visiting Pisa, Florence, and the Alps. Those on board spent their time rolling with the ship and waiting for good weather so they could get ashore and try to get stranded themselves. Clockwise from upper right: The most famous sight in Pisa, the Leaning Tower. Galileo once conducted gravity exper- iments by dropping different sized cannon balls from its top floor; An overview of Florence; A Matterhorn ski resort; J02 Jim DeAngio is part of the group of MISSISSIPPI sailors who sampled the Alpine skiing season; The famous Matter- horn, located in the Italian Swiss Alps. T . 94 ' iis Ir Tangiers, Morocco Tangiers was our last port visit before returning home to the states. Heavy winds and high seas kept liberty boats secured during part of the visit, but everyone was able to get ashore at least once to sample the Morrocan experience. The French Arabic town provided rugs, b rass articles, Arab cloth- ing, and local cuisine for those willing to buy. All in all it was a pleasant end to an interesting string of port visits. Upper left, a typical Moroccan street scene; Upper right, a view of Tangiers and the sea beyond, Center, an evening view of the Grand Socco, or main market; Below, LTJG Larry Cooper participates in a little local culture during a MISSISSIPPI dinner at a Tangiers hotel. m s y M  ' Sp ' „ ' S l ' ... • (H l Ih - S ' fl - - ' i 95 MISSISSIPPI 11,000 tons, 585 feet MISSISSIPPI is among the newest in the long line of proud Navy ships. Commissioned in 1978 the fourth ship to bear the name, MISSISSIPPI ' S purpose is to provide anti-aircraft and anti-submarine protection to a carrier task group. Her nuclear propulsion plant provides the endurance and flexibility required to make the best use of her extraordinarily capable weapons and tracking systems. In her brief life so far, MISSISSIPPI has distinguished herself as the hottest ship in the fleet. Winner of innumerable E s is all phases of shipboard operations, she has consistently raised the bar and dared other ships to match her performance. The unmatched string of Excellent ' s given to her Engineering department and the unparalleled gun and missile shoot records stand out as examples of the prowess of the ship and her crew. With a first Mediterranean deployment, sea service ribbon, and a Top Hand award from the Sixth Fleet Commander under her belt, the MISSISSIPPI is proudly continuing in the best Navy tradition. The ship and the men who sail her fully deserve to take their place in the proud lineage that has produced the likes of PROVIDENCE. CONSTITUTION, MONITOR. OLYMPIA, NEVADA, and ENTERPRISE. Homecoming 97 MISSISSIPPI arrived in Norfolk on February 12 at about 9:30 a.m., after 193 days away from home. It was a joyous homecoming, and that ' s all that needs to be said! Clockwise from below: Tug pulls alongside to deliver the pilot for the final journey into the berth; Mighty Miss backs into Pier 25; Sign echoes the thoughts of every man on board and every woman on the pier; Linehandlers tie the MISSISSIPPI to a solid founda- tion for the first time in 6V2 months. l WWiBJ — mm.. .-..-- ' ■ ss.ii Home is the sailor, Home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill. — Robert Louis Stevenson After what seemed like forever, the brow was lowered, and the wave of families and friends washed aboard and into the arms of the MISSISSIPPI crew. Clockwise from upper right; SMSN Bobby Harrell has a cheering section waiting for his arrival; Peggy and SN Sam DiBlasi wait on the messdecks for results of the homecoming raffle; Martha and LT Mark Nesselrode with daughter Lauri wait for the customs to clear so they can go home; Ruth and 083 Jim Hammond wear their homecoming smiles; The Captain meets with Ombudsmen and their families in his cabin; Jill and LTJG Butler Newman hug on the quarterdeck. In recognition of your superior sustained performance as a miember of Battle Force Sixth Fleet during the periodll August 1981 to 31 January 1982, 1 take great pleasure in presenting USS MISSISSIPPI the Battle Force Sixth Fleet Top Hand Award. Your exceptional performance in every aspect oif shipboard operations and the superb ambassadorial merit of your port visits fully support your being the recipient of this recognition. Beginning with your sterling performance in the Gulf of Sidra Open Ocean Missile Exercise in August 1981, you continued to demonstrate exceptional operational competence throughout your deployment. In complex multi-national maritime operations such as Display Determination and lies D ' Or 81 your resilience, combat system knowledge and exceptionally adroit shiphandling abilities were special contributions to the success of these operations and were a source of great pride for the U. S. Navy. In all manner of operations, from night steaming to the recently completed and very demanding National Week XXXI, your aggresive and spirited performance has been clearly evident. Your significant advances in the area of electronic warfare are an additional contribution to the operational readiness of the SIXTH FLEET. Your exemplary record ashore throughout numerous port visits frojj Haifa, Israel to Tangier, Morocco continuously demonstrated to our allies the positive influence of America ' s Blue Jacket Ambassadors. It is further indication that every member of the USS MISSISSIPPI crew is imbued with the pride and professionalism so important to our Navy and our nation. You unquestionably displayed the hallmarks of professional excellence in all areas. USS MISSISSIPPI is indeed a Top Hand. Well Done. — VADM Rowden Commander, Sixth Fleet -V.J The cruise is over, and with it the excitement and the tedium, the camaraderie and the loneliness, the work and the play, the elation and the disappointments. Looking back, we can be thankful for many things: we are safe at home with our family and friends, we serve on a proud ship with a strong crew, and we have had the opportunity to do our part for our great nation. For the past, the tradition has been established by ships and men long gone: do the job, and do it well. For the present, we can be proud that we are ready to take our place in that long line of ships and men. For the future, we must remember that jiist as surely as our current liberties depend on the efforts of ships and men that; have gone before, the welfare of generations to come depends on what this ship, this crew, and this Navy do today. Cruisebook Committee Editor - Business Managers - Layout Help - Copy Help - Photography Help - Officer In Charge - J02 Jim DeAngio FTM2 Jay Martin 0S2 Rich Trout RM2 Stacy Mikkelsen HM2 Joe VanCott SK3 Willie Wolfe LTJG J. McFadden FTM2 Frank Peirick ET2 Larry Devine LTJG R. Wray Thanks to: Cathi Hall and the U.S. Naval Library for historic data. The Photographers aboard the USS Nimitz for photo and developing support. Special Thanks to FTM2 Martin, FTM2 Peirick, and 0S2 Trout for their versatile and complete support. 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