Rankin (LKA 103) - Naval Cruise Book

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. K , ,, . Egg:-' s V T, , - X 33' ' T - , 5 A gi'-1 DP RATIONS Our cruise to the Mediterranean Sea was divided into two maior parts: the amphibious exer- cises and the port visits. The amphibious landings were designed to maintain our sta e o prep ' th Med As art of the Sixth Fleet RANKIN and Amphibious Squadron Four were directly in e . p , involved as members of the United States forces in NATO. Our landings were four in number: Porto Scudo, Timbakion, Saros Bay, and Carboneras. These assaults tested the concept of landing a str: e orce o in which our artici ation would be ordered by the President. Approaches and actual operations P P were conducted in simulated conditions of battle. All of the landings were successful for the RAN- ll ll T n KIN, and our men and equipment proved themselves Ready Now as always to accomplish a y t f aredness for action while 'k f f US Marines for any contingency iob which we are directed to undertake. The am hibious task force anchored at each beach and set the Marines ashore with their equip- P ment and supplies for sustained operations on land. At the conclusion of the exercise, the men and vehicles would be loaded back aboard. While the Marines moved on the beach, the ships practiced gunfire support, sneak attack de- fense and other covering measures. Foreign officers and dignitaries were welcomed aboard and briefed on the operations in an atmosphere of mutual cordiality with our allies. ' ' ' h' h RANKIN - Our o eratin schedule was altered by some contingency steaming, during w nc P 9 ' th M d when so directed by higher author- Stood ready to proceed to one of the Hot Spots nn e e lty. th M d was the training and evaluation achiev- The main accomplishment of our operations in e e ed in keeping RANKIN prepared for action. 45

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T0 CU ,SAR r -I8 AUQEQUST ff Zig, ,if l Salvage boat to the rescue X We re ready, Captain A Visifor What am I doing here? Surface Action Port! 46 Xl ll