Ponce (LPD 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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INDEX COMMANDING OFFICER 2 EXECUTIVE OFFICER 4 COMMAND MASTER CHIEF 6 DEPARTURE MARG 2001 8 EMBARK MSMC BEGINS! 10 THE BATTLE CAT!! 11 AIR DEPARTMENT 12 DECK AND WEAPONS 16 ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT 23 EXECMTIVE 39 MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 43 DENTAL DEPARTMENT 45 OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT 47 SUPPLY DEPARTMENT 55 COMBATCARGO 64 AM, CT, SBM 65 ACM-2 LCM 66 BEACH MASTERS 70 HM-266 72 GOLF COMPANY 74 1ST PLATOON 76 2ND PLATOON 80 3RD PLATOON 83 4TH PLATOON 85 M5SG 24 89 ENLISTED CEREMONIES 91 IN ROUTE 2001 98 TANGIER, MOROCCO 96 GAETA, ROME ITALY 98 BRINDISI, rTALY 100 CROATIA 102 MARMARI, TURKEY 104 VALLETTA, MARTA 106 SPAIN 108 LYMAS50L CYPRUS 110 MED SHARK 111 COOP PARTNER 112 ALBANIAN PHIBLEX 113 COMMMNny RELATIONS 114 NEWS DADS OR DADS AGAIN 117 MSMC HOMECOMING 118 ARRIVAL NORFOLK 120 NAVY HOMECOMING 121 Photos J Vieua! Memories fy holography r! Reunion Specialists Portraits Groups Books 5348 Stewart Drive Virginia Bcach.VA 23464 (757) 479-3564 phcmcrp@cox.nct AND Layout Design by LI2 (SW) I. P. MARTINEZ Thanks to everybody for their HELP | AND COOPERATION MADE THIS MED’Ol CRUISBOOK | POSSIBLE I Special thanks to I ABFC (SW AW) Robert L. Bensinger | (Big Bob)

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USS PONCE USS PONCE (LPD 15) is assigned to Commander, Amphibious Group two as a member of the Naval Surface Force, United States Atlantic Fleet. USS PONCE’s mission as an amphibious transport dock is to embark United States Marine Corps and Navy support elements, and by both water and airborne means, conduct amphibious landings to obtain beach heads, prosecute further operations ashore or deny areas or facilities to the enemy. PONCE during the year 2000 spent the winter months in Metro Machine Shipyard for a short three month shipyard maintenance period. Then she embarked on a grueling spring and summer filled with exercise, inspections, and workups for next spring deployment. Keel Laid: 31 October 1966 Commissioned: 10 July 1971 Shipbuilder: Lockheed Shipbuilding Construction Company Seattle, Washington Length: 567 Feet, 9 inches Maximum Speed: In excess of 20 knots Beam: Width 84 Feet; including catwalk 100 feet Displacement: 8,720 Tons (light) 16,320 Tons (loaded) Ship Company: 28 Officers 367 Enlisted Men Embarked Marines: 72 Officers 851 Enlisted Men

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER THOMAS J. CHASSEE Commander Thomas J. Chassee is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and a graduate of Michigan State University. He was commissioned in October 1983 through Officer Candidate School. Newport. Rhode Island. His first duty assignment was as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer in USS BADGER (FF 1071). In September 1987 he reported aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60) as Main Engines Officer, completing his tour in April 1989. Upon transfer from SARATOGA, Commander Chassee attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, graduating in December 1990 with a Masters Degree in National Security Affairs. Commander Chassee’s Department Head tours included First Lieutenant aboard USS LAMOURE COUNTY (LST 1194), and Surface Operations Officer in USS GUAM (LPH 9). In January 1995 he was assigned as an OPNAV Fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), Alexandria, Virginia. Commander Chassee reported aboard USS PONCE (LPD 15) as Executive Officer in September 1996. In March 1998 he was assigned as Future Operations Officer, Commander Amphibious Group Two. From August 1999 to June 2000 Commander Chassee was a student at the Marine Corps War College. Personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one gold star). Commander Chassee is married to the former Jennifer Cobb, of Nashville, Tennessee, and together with their lour daughters, Abigail, Samantha, Katherine, and Lauren, make their home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Commander Chasse taking care of some of the daily tasks as a commanding officer of the USS Ponce. 2 Commanding Officer