Ponce (LPD 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS PONCE Some Capabilities Which Might Surprise You • PONCE carries enough fuel to steam over 10,000 miles (nearly halfway around the earth without refueling. 0 The ship has its own doctor and dentist, with a twelve bed medical ward, bacteriological laboratory, X-ray facilities, sterilizing room, and dental operatory. 0 Storerooms and refrigerated spaces which can subsist 1,500 men for 60 days, or 500 men for 90 days. © We can make nearly 50,000 gallons of drinking water a day from sea water in our distilling plants. O We operate our own store in which we serve everything from candy, toothpaste and clothes, to cameras. When loaded, PONCE carries balanced unit of 917 Marines and their combat vehicles (tanks, artillery, ammunition, tracked landing vehicles, etc.). 0 The after end of our ship (stem) has a hinged gate which can be lowered. We use this gate in conjunction with a ballast system to fill our well deck area with water. In this manner, amphibious assault crafts and boats can drive in and out of our well deck. The well deck area is large enough to fit two full size basketball courts inside, and the ballast tanks used to flood the well deck have the capacity of 2.3 million gallons of water. © Cargo carrying capacity: There is enough in our two storage areas to hold 110 medium size automobiles. © Air capability: The flight deck is large enough to accommodate three complete tennis courts and 11 trips around it is equivalent to 1 mile. There is sufficient room on the flight deck to operate four helicopters simultaneously. It is certified to operate practically every type of helicopter in the world, even the largest and most sophisticated. In addition, vertical takeoff and landing type aircrafts may operate on USS PONCE’s Hight deck.

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Table of Contents Gitmo, Cuba Jamaca......... 3rd Battle “E” Maine... Rota, Spain.™ Toulon, Spai Malaga, S Valencia, S gSgt' African Ea Duress, Albania. Naples, Italy.. Odessa, Ukraine.. Rhodes, Greece... Haifa, Israel.... Home Coming... Cruise Book Sta: . k: Mm

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Sherrangc was born in Eric, Pennsylvania, die Naval service in September 1966 under 'didate Program, while attending Gannon n in May 1969, he received a Bachelor of] jnent and was commissioned as an Ensign in itial sea assignment was in USS GREAT 1 Ktfigatnr with at subsequent tour in USS | 390) as Weapons Officer. Mtfndcd destroyer school, Newport Rhode Island, )$tyvembor 1972, served as Engineer Officer in H dtomeported in Yokosuka, Japan. After three | IfA ril 1976, Qtptain Sherrangc was assigned to n hd as part of the 12C0 PS1 Steam Propulsion Ml) with duties as Director of Training and 1 wic;i duty in January 1979 completing tours of | mSssistant in USS AMERICA (CV-66) and [MC( A NI LESS (FIM080). March 1993 to February 1995 Upon completion of his sea tour in USS Sherrangc attended Old Dominion University in Finance. Returning to Washington, D.C OPNAV Staff, Surface Warfare Directorate, as and Budget Coordinator. In June 1987 Captain Sherrangc assitymr . AINSWORTH (FF-1090) and completed tWo de Mediterranean Sea during his tour. Detaching in Decei as Operations Officer for the Commander, Second FI major NATOcxcrcises and eight fleet exercises. Captain command of USS PONCE (LPD-15) in March 1993. of Training at Tactical draining Group, Atlantic, His personal decorations include the liegion of Service Medal (3), Joint (Commendation Medal and Medal as well various service and campaign; CaptaiivShcrrange is married to the forn Erie. Pennsylvania. Captain and Mrs. Sherriuigi and Jixscph ami currently reside in Virginia Bcachi