Ponce (LPD 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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February 1995 to Present Captain Mahoney graduated from Seattle University m 1969 with .p clbgree m Political Science, l ie earned his commission from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island that same year. Following his commissioning, he served as Combat Information ('enter ( fficer in the.commissionlng crew of USS KANSAS CITY (AOR '). From 1971 to 1972 he was assigned to the Naval Advisory Group in the Republic of Vietnam, serving in the Vung Tail and Camau areas of operation. After completing his “in country” tour, then LTJG Mahoney reported to USS MYLES C. FOX (DD 829) as First Lieutenant. In 1973, he attended Naval Destroyer School and subsequently reported to USS MFYFRKORD (FF 1058) as Weapons Officer, the first ship of a split department head tour. Between his department head tours. Captain Mahoney was a Combat Systems instructor .'at Surface Warfare Officers School, in Coronado. California. In 1979, he returned to sea duty aboard.USS DENVER (LPD 9) as Operations Officer and Overhaul Manager and completed his second department head tour. Captain Mahoney assumed the duties as Executive Officer in UNMOUNT VERNON (LSI'S 59) in August .1981. Upon completion of his Executive Officer tour in January 1983, he reported to Commander, Amphibious Group THREE in San Diego, California as Flag Secretary. He assumed command of USS SCI 1ENE(TTADY (LST 1185) in January 1986. Upon completion of his command tour in May 1988, Captain Mahoney was assigned duties as Chief Staff Officer to Commander, Amphibious Squadron SEVEN, completing that assignment in April 1990. He then assumed command of Surface Warfare Officers School Pacific from May 1990 to August 1992. Captain Mahoney’s most recent tour of duty was from October 1992 to October 1994, as Chief of Staff for Amphibious Forces SEVENTH Fleet, homeported in Okinawa, Japan. Captain Mahoney's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and Gold Star, the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Captain Mahoney is originally from Lowell, Massachusetts and is married to the former Pamela Jane Turner of Muncic, Indiana. They have three daughters; Erica, Jessica, and Rebecca.