Mobile (LKA 115) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 96 of the 1980 volume:

.. . R- DEDICATED To The 53 Hostages And Their Families, That Our Efforts May Bring About A Peaceful End To The Conflict Abroad. CAPTAIN J. H, CONNELLY JR. Captain James H. Connelly, Jr., a native of New York, received his commission through the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1956. Captain Connelly served in a utility squadron and two operational night fighter squadrons. He instructed in all flight phases at the West Coast ' s Demon and Phantom 11 Replacement Air Group for three years commencing in 1960. In 1963, Captain Connelly ' s first Surface Officer assignment was as First Lieutenant of USS LENAWE (LPA-195). This was followed by a two year tour of duty as Operations Officer of USS fvlONTICELLO (LSD-35). In 1967, Captain Connelly was ordered to duty under instruction to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, where he received his BS Degree in Engineering Sciences. Captain Connelly then served as Executive Officer of the Amphibious Force Flagship, USS ELDORADO (LCC- 11) from August 1969 to April 1971. From f lay 1971 to February 1973 he served as Commanding Officer of USS FREDERICK (LST-1184). In July 1973, Captain Connely reported to the OPNAV Staff for duty as head of the CNO Operations Briefers in the Navy Command Support Center and from November 1976 to August 1978 he was head of the fvlobile Logistic Support Force and Auxiliaries Section in the Ship Acquisition Division. Before Captain Connelly assumed command of USS MOBILE (LKA-1 1s), he served as Chief of Staff for Commander Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific from Septembei 1978 to April 1979. COMMANDER J.D. WHITE II I hope this book will keep us all mindful of the cooperation, comraderie, professionalism and perfor- mance that we have experienced with our shipmates, both Navy and Marine Troops, and which has made the USS MOBILE the Number - One Gator . It has been my pleasure to be associated with all of you and I hope we have the opportunity to serve together again in the future. DEPARTMENT MEDICAL DEPARTMENT HEAD LT HARLAN DECK DEPARTMENT HEAD- LCDR BISHOP (BOTTOM CENTER) WITH CW02 CRAWFORD, ENS WORTHAM, BMC LOPEZ, CAPTAIN STRAHAN, SSGT MCKENZIE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HEAD LT MOON HEADS OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT LT ANNIS SUPPLY DEPARTMENT HEAD LT CURRY 1ST DIVISION CROUCH, SA From left to right. SN BASTIAN. SN HUTCHINGS. BM1 MCCULLEY, BM2 FITTS. LTJG SILVIRA, BM3 STUBBLEFIELD, SN ROSKY, SA PRICKET, SA MURILLO, BM2 WALEROWICZ- DIVISIONS 2ND DIVISION, From left to right, BtVIC LOPE SN SLACK, ABH3 ST GERMAIN, SA WADE, SN RAIvlSEY, SN ROBINSON, SN SCHNEIDER, ENS WOODS, BW1 CHIANTARETTO, Blv12 HOOD, BM3 REID, SN LACEY, SN STARCRUISER. 2ND DIVISION. Left to Right, SA CRAWFORD, SN OUARLES, SA RAY, SA RANSOM, BMSN JOHNSON, SA HOFFMAN, SN DRAKE, SA CHAPMAN DIVISIONS 3RD DIVISION, Left to Right, ENS BOOTH, BMSN WEBSTER, SA TYREE, SN BARKELY, SA STALL, SN STAUB, SN SILKEY, BM1 VOGT, BM2 REICHE, BM2 SHEWMAKE, BM2 KARR, BM3 SANTOS 3RD DIVISION. From Left to Right, BM2 CADOTTE, SA SCOTT. SN CONSON, LTJG GRAYBILL. SN PATTERSON, SN ROSSITER, SN ' JACQUES, SA GAINES, BM3 ASBURY, SN STAIMIROViCH, BM1 WOLRIDGE, SA CHAMBERS DIVISIONS 4TH DIVISION, LTJG ENCINO, SN VEZZANI, GMG2 KRIZ, GMG2 PRESTON, GMG3 SKALA, GMG2 MEYER, GMG2 BERTA, GMGSN WILLIAMS MEDICAL. HM2 GREGORIO. HN SIMMONS. LT HARLAN. HMC MYERS. HM3 SCOTT. HM2 MCCLELLAN. HM1 DAY DIVISIONS OPERATIONS SPECIALISTS. LTJG ANNERS, 0S3 BROWNING. 0S2 ELLIS, 0S2 MEDEIROS, 0S2 FOX, 0S1 FISCHER. 0S3 MORRIS, 0S2 BROTHERS, OSSN HULL. OSSN HENDERSON ; ; ,i A ' n ET DIVISION. From Left to Right, ENS BUELL, ET2 BAKERS. ET1 PEDERSON. ET3 PITSINGER, E T3 CASS DIVISIONS OC DIVISION, From Left to Rigfit. RM MATCHETT, RMC WILLIAMS, RM3 WATSON, RIVI3 GASTINEAU, RM3 GROZINSKI, RM2 BROWN. LTJG CAHILL, RIvlSN CINTRON, RMSA HERNANDEZ, R(v12 SUNDSTROM, RM3 BUELL, RMSR BAILEY m t 5 i ft NAVIGATION. QMSN DRAPER, QM3 PEREZ, 0M1 LOCKETT, LTJG GOODMAN, LTJG FREDERICK, 0M3 JACKSON. QMSN MABRY DIVISIONS SIGNALMAN, SM2 COBLE. SMI SONS. SMSN EASTER. SMSN CHRISTY. SMSN BETTERTON. SM3 MCCARTER. SMSN LOWRY MESS MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS. From Left to Right, MSSA HERRING, MSSA STRUCKMAN, MS3 EARNER. MS3 ROSS. MS2 CHRIS- TENSEN. MS1 DIOSO, MSI ANTAZO, MSI FIRME, MS2 CASAOL. MSC CALUCAG DIVISIONS STOREKEEPERS. From Lett to Right. SKC BALIWAG. SK2 OBANA. SK3 BOTELLO, SK3 AMBROSE. SK3 KING. SKI POTTER. SK3 ANTONIO PERSONNEL DIVISION, PN3 VAN HESTEREN, PNC PETT. LTJG O ' KEEFE, PN3 COVINGTON, YN1 LIBUNAO, PN3 PARISI, YN3 JOHNSON DIVISIONS SUPPLY, From Left to Right, SHSN BALL, SH3 PIERCE. LTJG WARCHAL. SN MELENDEZ, SN LUCAS. DK3 OUINTOS. SHSA SMITH. SH3 SIKKENGA. SHI FROST ' ' SK2 TIESO SHEERING A FEW OF SK3 BOTELLO ' S LOOSE ENDS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, SK3 ANTONIO, SK3 BOTELLO, SKC BALAWAG, SK2 OBANA. E DIVISION From Left to Right. EM3 CONNER, FA HOWELL. EM3 NEWMAN, EM3 BROMLY, 102 LUNDEEN, EMCM ROMBOUGH. 101 HICKS, EM2 CASTEEL. EM3 HERNANDEZ, EM3 HELF, FN MARTAIN DIVISIONS E DIVISION, From Left to Right, EM3 KINEKE, 103 BRYANT, 102 USBORNE, EM2 MCKENZIE, EMFN TURNER, EMI ABRAZADO, LTJG KRANZ, EM3 BABBITT, EMFN MCLAUGHLIN, IC3 KING, EM3 BRITT, EMFN DEBUSE A DIVISION, From Left to Right, EN1 RYAN, EN1 WILLIAMS, EN3 DENTON, ENFA EDSTROM, EM3 FREEMAN, ENFN MAGNUS, ENFN SALTERIO, EN2 PADILLA, EN2 GOODE, ENFN NGUYEN, ENS PARKER, EN3 GAHIMER, ENFR BROWN, ENFA BRISBIN DIVISIONS A DIVISION, From Left to Rigfit, ENFN OUINCE, MM3 HUGHES. ENFA PERRON, ENFN SMITH, EN3 ZAROBELL, EN2 DEITER, MMFA STEVENSON, MM3 GATCHALIAN, FA JUAREZ, MM1 ANGELES, ENFN MOORE, ENFA BURNS, R DIVISION, From Left to Right. HTC SCOTT, HTFN BOOTHBY, HT3 SCOTT, FA BUXBAUM, HTFN BRYANT, FA WILLIAMS, HTFN TAYLOR. HTFN HAGGERTY, LTJG HASSLER, HTFN HEINZ, HTFN BRICKELL, HTFN NELSON, HTFN USCOLA, HTFN NICHOLSON. HTl SCHMIDT. HT2 WEHAGE DIVISIONS M DIVISION. From Left to Rigtit. MM3 ABUGAN. MMFN FREDERICKS. MM3 ERICKSON, MMFN BARRY, MM3 PRUITT. MM3 ABEL. MMFN BLOCK CRUISING MOBILE STYLE M DIVISION, From Left to Right, MMCS MARKLEY, MMFN REGER. MM3 ABEL, MMFN BLOCK, MM2 LAYTH- ORPE. MM2 ABENES M DIVISION, From Left to Right, MM3 MERTZ, MM3 PRUITT, Ml 2 QUICK. MMFN NICHOLS. FR PEREZ, CW02 PACE, FA GILGE. MMFN BARRY B DIVISION. From Left to Rigtit, BT3 SYLVESTER, BT1 MABALOT, BT3 LAMB. CW02 PACE. BTFN GRAALFS, BTFN LAUHARN, BT3 MONTOYA B DIVISION From Left to Right, BT3 OSBORNE. BTFN MALSTROW, BT2 BUDD, BT3 LEDESMA. BT3 MONTOYA, BTC BARIAL, BT1 HACKWORTH. BT3 LAMB. BT1 MABALOT. FA SALISBURY. BTFN JAMES, BTFA SMITH, BTFN CASEBOLDT, BT3 ALLEN, BTFA MORRIS, BTFN GRAALFS, BT2 LEWIS, BTFN LAUHARN The E ... it stands for things money can ' t buy, it symbolizes the comraderie o f professionals, it separates the average from those that found the energy to push themselves that added step, it stands for dedication to duty, perseverance, and that intangible quality so many seek yet so few achieve - Pride in a job well done. - The Battle Efficiency Award (Shipwide) - The Engineering E (M DIV, B DIV, A DIV, E DIV, R DIV) - Gunnery E - Combat Inforrmation Center E - Amphibious Assault Award E it stands for excellence! I ' lillliijliljji LIVING TOGETHER, WORKING TOGETHER . . . UNITY GENERAL QUARTERS B A N G ! I AA DO YOU THINK HASSLER KNOWS HOW HOT THIS IS ' ' GQ CONDITION ONE-ALFA c : =_ CONDITION ONE-ALFA 29 ! Vt.. % PROJECT: HANDCLASP On this WestPac Cruise, once again the USS MOBILE proved itselt as the No. 1 Gator by successtully delivering hundreds of pallets of goodwill and friendship through Project Handclasp. Onloading of the pallets was done in San Diego, offload in Subic Bay, Thailand and lloilo, Philippines went smoothly and efficiently gaining the Deck Department a well deserved Bravo Zulu. On the overall Project Handclasp and its purpose was successfully accomplished by the MOBILE crew, creating the positive im- pression of America ' s extended goodwill to others. 35 UNREP: MOBILE STYLE FLIGHT QUARTERS UP, UP, AND AWAY FLIGHT QUARTERS COOKOUTS A TIME TO RELAX WE CAN SAY THAT THE CRUISE WAS NOT ALL PEACHES AND CREAM. BUT THESE DAYS WERE NEITHER PEACHES NOR CREAM, BUT HOT DOGS AND HAMBURGERS THE SMOKE WAS BAD, BUT NOTHING AN HT COULDN ' T HANDLE DISCO ANYONE IMOKERS, THE OLD ONE PUNCH . . . hfjw I (Vr 11 GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD, A FINE NAVY DAY MARINES MSSG-3i As the crew and officers of thie USS MOBILE traveled through the waters of the Pacific and Indian Ocean they were not alone. They were accompanied by W ar ne, MSSG-31 (lyiAU Ser- vice Support Group) which provided supply support for 31st IVIAU. They were composed of Communications Division, Head- quarters, Motor Transport, Engineer Support, Landing Support, Maintenance, Supply and TOW Section. As the troops and crew traveled through the Western Pacific waters, there were many exercises to be done. LANDEX 1-80 Zambales, Philippines. One that toon concentration, aching muscles, and long hours for all in- volved. MSSG-31 also maintained 31stMAU at 1 % or less combat readiness rate throughout deployment. Also MSSG-31 provided data processing support throughout deployment for mechanical maintenance, supply and distribution. They continued training for embarked Marines with a high level of academic, military and technical education was also maintained over the 5 ' 2 month period they were on board. PROMOTION CONGRATULATIONS MOBILE: ITS EVER CHANGING HISTORY The USS MOBILE (LKA 115) became an integral part of a balanced, mobile and modern 20 knot amphibious force of the United States Navy on 20 September 1969 when she was commissioned and became a unit of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The Honorable Lambert C. Mims, Mayor of the City of Mobile, was the guest speaker. The keel for the USS MOBILE was laid in January 1968 and the ship was launched on 19 October 1968. Mrs. John J. Sparkman, wife of the Alabama Senator and sponsor of the ship, christened the MOBILE at 10:30 A.M. Senator Sparkman, senior senator from the State of Alabama, delivered the principal address. An LKA. amphibious cargo ship, is designed to transport and land combat equipment and material, with attendant personnel, in amphibious assaults. Navy cargo ships such as MOBILE have a most impressive record of achievement in providing support to our forces ashore and afloat. MO- BILE perpetuates such a proud heritage. Armed with 13 assault boats and improved cargo handling systems, the 575 foot, 20 knot MOBILE possesses a pow- erful capability for supporting amphibious assaults that is beyond the reach of older LKA type ships. Her four Mike 8 boats, capable of landing 60 ton tanks, are the largest landing craft now hoisted aboard a Navy ship. Her im- proved cargo handling systems include 12 booms, of which two have a 70 ton lifting capacity; special elevators; and an enlarged helicopter platform. The engineroom can now be handled by five or six men instead of 14 because of the automated system. USS MOBILE (LKA 115) Air conditioning aids comfort throughout the ship, includ- ing roomy living quarters for the 367-man crew and 249 troops, recreation rooms and library. Besides wartime victories, LKA ' s have accomplished sig- nificant peacetime achievements. They have been visible symbols of power for peace statesmanship in times and places of crisis; they have brought medical care, food and supplies to persons striken by hurricanes, floods and earthquakes; they have rescued seafarers in peril on stormy oceans; and they have been goodwill emissaries to other nations. Interesting facts that make MOBILE an outstanding ship in the fleet are the following: MOBILE can provide enough electricity to supply approximately 2,000 homes with all electrical power they need; MOBILE can provide enough steam to heat 35,000 homes or more; MOBILE can pro- duce 40,000 gallons of fresh water per day from sea water; MOBILE ' S 13 boats have the capability of carrying over 400 tons or the equivalency of 200 automobiles; MOBILE carries enough food supplies to feed 600 people three meals a day for 90 days; MOBILE ' S Supply Department carries 23,000 items to support the operation of the ship or the equivalency of the number of items carried in a large department store; MOBILE ' S ship ' s store can sell anything from diamonds to razor blades; and MOBILE has many of the facilities of a town, including barber shop, hospital, ice cream parlor, soda fountain, dry cleaning and laundry plant, post office, and bank. Regardless of MOBILE ' S materiel capabilities which are good, its greatest assets are the people that man her - they are outstanding. 49 THE GONG SHOW A TIME TO RELAX, AND SHOW YOUR STUFF!!! • ' ■■ ' ' ' v.- Ni V. PORTS O ' CALL ALL ASHORE HAWAII PHILIPPINE IS OKINAWA THAILAND SINGAPORE KENYA AUSTRALIA i nM||UBpina THE LION CITY SINGAPORE 53 ' ' - ' - ii ' - Ai;-vv4 |U J M. 5 ALL ASHORE!!! SUBIC BAY PHILLIPINES i ' WEST-PAC PORT CALL . . . A TIME TO RELAX, HAVE FUN AND TO SEE HOW THE OTHER SIDE LIVES. ■ ■1 M H H H H H H 1 E ' sl 1 1 v — i i 1 ■ n H H 1 1 H 1 1 m- ' ,JI i l H m ' HH HE 1 wP 1[ ' p.: «f 1 1 1= lBr _ FAR AWAY • PLACES FAR AWAY TIMES, MEMORIES TO LAST FOREVER! i?ifc T ll . -: g iii6i«i ' rrrrrrrprrrr -rrrrrrrr ,_ Hillllll ' ., ' iiiiiiirr ADVENTURE, MOBILE STYLE I , _ « K., r=:= I TIMES TO REMEMBER ' fi 63 w-f ■ , ' i0 %r I AUSTRALIA J THE LAND DOWN UNDER • i. i t ' - ip . ■■■■ ■ 5f r!?Si ' . fijif: . ' -C THAILAND HAWAII PHILIPPINES ■mMH :. - — — J A ? ' CROSSING THE LINE . . . KENYA BOUND Jl w - ,• It ' THERE WAS NO MERCY ON THE DAY OF THE WOG MOBILE GAS ■UELING, AND BEING FUELED . . . THE INDIAN OCEAN CRUISE 1980 HISTORY IN THE MAKING A WestPac cruise is bound to have its surprises but the big surprise tor the MOBILE and her crew was in the schedule. The cruise basically entailed a routine 6 month tour of the Western Pacific Ocean, but on the 17th of March 1980, the MOBILE along with four other ships entered the Indian Ocean for the first time with embarked Marines since World War II. The reason for the presence of the Amphibious Ready Group was the notification of world powers that the U.S. is not limited ykj A k ' ' ' capacity to built a substantial force and maintaining that C iVVAMNi force for long periods of time at great distances from supply lines. Overall the time spent in the Indian Ocean provided every man involved an opportunity to find out within themselves their maximum efforts to put forth and do the best job required of them. It was the continuous positive attitudes of the crew and command that made our stay in the 1.0. the finest for the Amphibious Ready Group and made the MOBILE the Number One Gator in the Fleet. The following is a listing of the schedule of events that occurred during our time in the Indian Ocean: 17th March Entered Indian Ocean via Malaccan Straits 2nd April 1st Indian Ocean Camel Crossroads Half-Marathon 15 April GONZO I! wargames with all Indian Ocean Forces. 16 April Crossed the Equator 17 April Arrived Mombasa, Kenya 22 April Departed Mombasa, Kenya 27 April Arrival Diego Garcia 30 April Departed Diego Garcia 22 May Arrival Perth, Australia 28 May Departed Perth, Australia 01 June Left Indian Ocean via the Straits of Lombok TIGER CRUISE SEVEN DAYS OF NAVAL EXPERIENCE AT ITS BEST RESCUE OF THE FRIENDSHIP On June 28th 1980, while the MOBILE was enroute to San Diego from Hawaii. There the MOBILE encountered a rescue mission that summed up the word and manning behind Navy, true seamanship and adventure. The 35 foot sailing sloop Friendship was rescured at sea by the USS MOB ILE. The yacht was towed alongside by the MOBILE ' S motor whaleboat through eight to 10 foot seas. After determining that voyage repairs could not be accomplished, the Friendship crew (four men and one woman) were brought on board. The Friendship had lost her rudder 700 miles out from her Hawaiian destination and was making poor way in moderate seas on the 13th day of San Francisco to Hawaii Transpac Yacht Race. The five crewmembers were welcomed aboard and were given the finest hospitality that the USS MOBILE had to offer. Members of the Friendship included Warren Sward, Russel Barnett. Ruth Suzuki, David Hankel, and Stephen Zchanou. K my I WEST PAC 80 CRUISE BOOK STAFF LTJG HASSLER (ADVISOR) CONTRIBUTORS: LT GRAYBILL-COPY LTJG FREDRICKS RMSN HERNADEZ-PHOTOGRAPHY SN MALLORY-COPY SA VEZZANI-ART WORK SN ROBINSON ' (LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY) 102 LUNDEEN ' i (PHOTOGRAPHY) YN1 UBUNAO (TYPIST) 83 THEBEAOTY OF IT ALL Wl P C80 ■ f k ' k St . . R-