Oldendorf (DD 972) - Naval Cruise Book

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Dedication . . . X This Cruise Book is dedicated to the men and women of USS OLDENDORF and to all of the families and friends who so faithfully sup- ported us during our six month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf I December 1995 to 16 May 1996. As a surface combatant assigned to Nimitz Battle Group, OLDENDORF performed superbly in every mission assigned. Starting with the pre-deployment work-ups. You trained to become a coordinated team of tactical experts and established an internal support system that en- sured the ship could go anywhere for almost any length of time. You maintained the highest levels of crew morale which not only increased the quality of life onboard but also enhanced the combat readiness ofthe ship. As recognized by the Battle Group and various Fleet Commanders, you dedicated your efforts to absolutely superb performances. The fol- lowing are some specific highligh ts.' Diversion to Hawaii to repair the Sonar Dome and subsequent independent transit across the Pacific Ocean and through the Malacca Strait. Numerous queries and boardings of vessels in the Northern Arabian Gulf during the Maritime Interception Operations in support of United Nation is sanctions. Superb performance as Nimitz Battle Group Tomahawk Strike Platform during Operation Southern Watch. Successfully supported thirteen Maritime Prepositioning Ships and Army War Reserve Ships at MODLOC station in the Central Arabian Gulf Expeditiously transit from the Arabian Gulf to the Straits of Taiwan for national contingency operations which culminated with 53 con- tinuous days at sea. Outstanding support of operations Desert Storm and Vigilant Sentinel and numerous Flight Quarters, Unreps, Conreps, Vertreps and many many more ... Those courageous volunteers back home also contributed enormously to the success of this deployment. The actively involved support structure was headed by a superb team of Ombudsmen and a Family Support Group. Their efforts kept the families informed, supported and involved in many events helping bide the time of separation. Their periodic newsletters and the weekly changing phone messages kept loved ones in touch with the lives and events occurring both home and aboard. To all of you associated with the deployment, many thanks and congratulations for a job well done. This book is dedicated to you.' S ,. ' A 9 ers N. , M223 4 fr.-.gg Q - YM.. .K lyw, .. f if-3:

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SI'IIP'S HISTORY Commissioned in Pascagoula, Mississippi on 4 March 1978, She was the 10th of 51 Spruanee class Destroyers to be Homeported In San Diego. She is the first U.S. Naval Ship to bear the name OLDENDORF. In 1980 she made a Maiden Westpac!South Pac deployment covering 55,000 miles over a period of 188 days, awarded the Navy's Humanitarian Service Medal by the Chief of Naval Operations for their rescue and assistance of nearly 150 cold and hungry Vietnamese refugees. In 1981 Embarked on second WestPac deployment serving as flagship for commander Destroyer Squadron Seventeen. In 1982 she changed Homeports to Seattle Washington for a nine Month overhaul to return to Homeport San Diego in 1985. In 1984 USS Oldendorf shifted Homeports to Yokosuka, Japan where she deployed to the Indian Ocean with the Midway Battle group in 1985.111 1986 visited Qingdao, China along with two other U.S. Ships to become the first U.S. Warships te visit the People's Republic of China in 57 years. In 1987 deployed with USS Midway QCV-415 Battle. group to the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea. In 1988 USS Oldendorf rescued 58 Vietnamese and brought them to Subic Bay Philippines, fulfilled peace-keeping role during the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul Korea, also Awarded CINPACFLT golden Anchor Award for retention program ex. cellence. In 1989 protected Amphibious Readiness Group Units of Manila Bay during Philippine Coup. In 1991 Desert Shield became Desert Storm in which she became the Northern Arabian Gulf Search and Rescue Coordinator, she also began an overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. In 1992 completed overhaul and returned to her original Homeport San Diego. In 1995 participated in EastPac counter-narcotic operations off Central America. In 1994 deployed on WestPac to the Arabian Gulf to enforce United nations sanctions against Iraq. In 1995 Commander Mark C. Nessel- rode took command as Commanding Officer of USS Oldendorf. Awarded CINPACFLT silver Anchor Award for retention program excellence and Surface Ship Safety Award for safety program excel- SHIP'S M SSIG USS Oldendorf is a versatile multi-mission destroyer capable of operating independently throughout the world or as an integral part of a powerful battle group. USS Oldendorf's principle missions are strike warfare against targets ashore, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface war- fare. Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles launched from the Vertical launch System enable the ship to attack land targets at long range with deadly accuracy. Anti-submarine weapons include vertical launch anti-submarine rockets, anti-submarine homing torpedoes and SH-60B LAMPS MR III anti-submarine helicopters which provide the ability to locate and sink enemy submarines at stand off ranges. Two 5 !54 rapid fire guns and Harpoon anti-ship missiles give USS Oldendorf a potent anti-surface ship weapons capability. The NATO Seasparrow Guided Missile System and Phalanx Close-In Weapon System provide protection against enemy aircraft and missile threats. SHlP'S ABILITY lence. USS Oldendorf is powered by gas turbine engines. These are the same engines used to power- jumbo jetaircraft with special marine modifications. She and her 50 sister ships are the first maj0f warships in the U.S. Navy to be gas turbine powered. The four gas turbine engines, with startup times measured in minutes, produce more the 80,000 total horsepower and give her a speed in 6X1 cess of 50 knots. Twin controllable, reversible itch ro eller ' ' ' nal de- gree of maneuverability. USS Oldendorf is one olf the rlnosli sopliigtlzsels iriyicileepfvgrld, US ing onboard computers to control and monitor her weapons, engineering plant and navigati0llg functions. I'Ier crew is, of necessity, comprised of highly skilled young technigians and equipmenfi 0Pef3t0fS- DiSPl3CinQ m0l'C than 9,000 tons, USS Oldendorf is one of the largest general PUTPOSC? destroyers ever to fly the flag of the flag of the U 't d Stat ' d US5i Oldendorf will serve our nation well into the 21st cgngiry. es. Bum with the future in min ' Wd wif flaw WAS ag meld ,MW xr lglllllim pivcfi SWL Nami Unlredl suvfl Suafi Gulf url flnuousl Oulsll mllllllf llwlf SIIUCIUH andlnvf lovedoi loall W

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Commander Mark C. Nesselrode C OM MANDI N G OJHQYCER