Mississippi (CGN 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER APRIL 1983-FEBRUARY 1985 CDR. F.J. DOBRYDNEY LCDR Frank Dobrydney was commissioned an Ensign in May 1971 via a NROTC Program after completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering at iowa State University. He reported to USS MORTON (DD-9AS) as the Fire Control and Gunnery Officer and participated in close gunfire support missions and Linebacker Strikes against North Vietnam. He was subsequently ordered to Michigan State University to participate in the Burke Scholarship Program and earned a Master of Science Degree in Systems Analysis. Following department head school at Newport, Rhode Island he reported to USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22) as the Weapons Officer and was accepted for training in the Nuclear Power Program upon completion of that tour. After training at Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida and propulsion plant qualification at the Nuclear Power Train- ing Unit at Idaho Falls, Idaho, LCDR Dobrydney was assigned to USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) as the Main Propulsion Assistant and later assumed duties as the Electrical Officer. He reported USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) as the Executive Officer in April of 1983. He is married to the former Mary Jo Fisher of Neola, Iowa and has two children, John and Vicky.

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A TRIBUTE This book is an historical tribute to the teamwork of the greatest cruiser crew in the world. The crew of the MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI, with the support and encourage- ment of their families and loved ones, brought the ship out of a shipyard availability, through an intensive and foreshortened training period and into the Mediterra- nean ready in all respects to work in a potentially hos- tile environment. Through out the work-up period sacri- fices were made by all hands and their families as the ship piloted its way through a myriad of requirements during the short six months between the yard period and deployment. From Seaman and Fireman to the Chiefs Mess and Wardroom, the crew maintained a high degree of readiness during the deployment even though subjected to frequent last minute schedule changes and short notice tasking. Additionally during the seven months the ship was away from homeport it was underway nearly 70 percent of the time. On the following pages you will find the chronicle of events that set MISSISSIPPI during our Mediterranean deployment. The fact that the ship was one of only two cruisers to receive the BATTLE EFFICIENCY Award from the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlan- tic Fleet and was specifically chosen for a sensitive operation (Operation SNAP LOCK), testifies to the out- standing abilities of each individual crew member and their effectiveness as a team. I salute the finest crew that a Commanding Officer could ask for to man his ship.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER FEBRUARY 1985-PRESENT CDR J. BROWN Commander Jim Brown was born in Akron, Ohio on November 15. 1946. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1968. After training at Nuclear Propulsion School in Bainbridge, Maryland and West Milton, New York, he was assigned to USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) in Long Beach, California. After deployment to Southeast Asia and completion of overhaul and nuclear refueling, he was transferred to the precommissioning unit of USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN-37) as Main Propulsion Assistant and later to duty in the Weapons Department. Following over four years on board the USS CAROLINA he was assigned as a Company Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Duty as Engineer Officer on board USS CALIFORNIA (CGN-36) followed including two extended deployments to the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. He then joined the staff of the Senior ' s Officers Ships Material Readiness Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho for three years as an Instructor of Thermodynamics, Operation and Maintenance of Automatic Control Systems. He then reported to USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) as Executive Officer. He is authorized to wear the Battle Efficiency E ribbon for service on CALIFORNIA, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Navy Expeditionary Medal, for service on board CALIFORNIA during the Iranian hostage crisis. Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. Commander Brown is very happily married to the former Diana Kay Dillon of Cleveland. Ohio. They reside in Virginia Beach with their three sons, Scott, Craig, and Kurt.