Stark (FFG 31) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

UNITED STATES SHIP STARK QFFG-311 FAST FRIGATE GUIDED MISSILE SHIP Built by .................... Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation, Seattle, Washington Keel Laid ...... ....... 2 4 August 1979 Launched . ............... 30 May 1982 Commissioned ......... 23 October 1982 Sponsor ..................... Mary Stark Semans, daughter of the late Admiral Harold R. Stark USS STARK QFFG-311 CHARACTERISTICS Feet Meters Length ....................... 445 ...................... 135.7 Beam ......................... 45 ........................ 13.7 Draft .......................... 24 ........,.............. 7.3 Displacement ........... 4100 Tons .......... 3280 Metric Tons Crew .......................... 203 Total C188 Enlisted, 15 Officersj Maximum Speed ..... 28 Plus Knots Propulsion ................ Two General Electric LM 2500 Gas Turbines Q40,000 SHPJ Two 360 HP Electric Auxiliary Propulsion Units One Controllable Reversible Pitch Propeller Electrical Plant ...... Four Detroit-Allison V-16 Diesel Generators Weapons ................... 20 MM MK 15 Close-In Weapons System CCIWSJ MK 13 Guided Missile Launcher - Harpoon Anti-Surface Missile - SM-1 Standard Anti-Aircraft Missile 76 MM MK 75 Fully Automated Rapid Fire Naval Gun MK-32 Torpedo Tubes fTwo Triple Tube Mounts! - MK 46 Anti-Submarine Torpedo Combat System ....... ANISPS-49 Air Search Radar ANISPS-55 Surface Search Radar MK-92 Fire Control System ANISLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System ANISQS-56 Digital Hull Mounted Sonar MK-36 SRBOC Decoy Launching System ANISLQ 49 Anti-missile Decoy System Naval Tactical Data System Joint Operation Tactical System Aircraft Capability. Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter: SI-I-2F Ship's Statistics 5

Page 8 text:

Si? 53 , USS STARK FF -311 lVI'ssion and Histor SS STARK CFFG-315 was launched on May 30, 1982 and commissioned October 23, 1982 in Seattle, Washington. STARK is the twenty-fifth of fifty-tive Oliver Hazard Perry class Guided Missile Frigates, the largest class of ships since World War I1. STARK was named for the former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold R. Stark. The ship is the result of a careful plan to provide a portion of the in-depth protection required for military and merchant shipping, amphibious task forces and underway logistics groups. In executing this mission, STARK will help meet our nation's far-ranging international commitments and keep the vital sea lanes open. In order to ensure a large class of capable yet relatively inexpensive ships, many innovative concepts are incorporated into her design. Some of these concepts include modular construction techniques and the utilization of numerous labor-saving devices toreduce the number of personnel required to operate the ship. STARK also incorporates many improvements in habitability, including lounge areas for the crew and improved messing facilities. 1 In today's combat environment, the ability to respond rapidly and effectively is the key to success. All of S'I'ARK's systems are designed to meet this important requirement. The propulsion system is a computer- controlled gas turbine power plant with engines similar to those found on the Air Force C5A strategic transport and the civilian DC 10 jetliners. STARK'S propulsion system can be brought 'on line' and made ready in less than one-eighth the time required for a conventional steam or nuclear poweredship. STAR K's combat system integxaiieesia computerized command and controlsystexnyvith ship's sensors and weapons. Digital computersugprovide rapid evaluation of - potential threats detected by sonar and other sensors. Should tha L ' or surface-to-Surface missiles, rapid giinnsfyrantij submarine torpedoes, close-in weapons system QCIWSJ, or the Airbornetglitiltipurpose MK l helicopter can be employed to counter anypotential surfaoeaornisub-sitrface piatforms. since its commissiodng in ocwblf aff'l982, sraiuc has miles, visiting 69 dilTercnt ports in 31 'separate countries around the world. include Middle East Force 11,118-,nap 19841, or-pat Lakes UunfAug 19851, Middle East Forpp qreb-Augi19871. During the 1987 ap- . ,g, f i .-' P UTARKWAQ-stmck by two missiles fired by Iraqui aircraft The tires thatlresulted claimed 37 lives itaiotxx 'gg' 3 ii 1 ' ' . ,W ,, , ,. ,, ,. N., , . ' 9 ww ' ' 1 it ' ga '- .1 , - 1 1 i s heroic action ofthe crew saved the ship. Today the only reammrng sign of this tragic event is the S , A H ' - remember 37ishipmates who gave their lives. Later deployments include Standing Naval 'H' , 3 Q I Y F g .1 1 V .9 5319158 11101151611 IH time III-ldSh1D8 passageway which lists the names of the lost sh1pmates, but the may mi Middle nw Force lAug 1991-Feb 19921. STARK has participated ip ' , Solid Shield 85,CORTRAM1D 86, Operation Sharp Spear 89, Pco I Schoo1,Ship 91, PCO Operations 92, the Haitian humanitarian operation, 89- V,f, B181 Firlbbean counter-dnig operations. STARK's notable achievements include res- . Am '55 000 iH:'1Ch11111 V555 1111 by Iranian missiles in the Persian Gulf in 1984, welcoming 5 1- d 1 1111118 the Great Lakes Cruise, rescuing two downed helicopter pilots in the 11119 1991- 0011101611118 77 50111111185 111 just 25 operating days during Red Sea Maritime Interdiction ti . . . Opera ons' Scum! 8 df'-18 boat loaded W1111 OVCI' 14,000 pounds of marijuana during counter drug operations, . th , , u - ' eammg e nomination for the Marjorie Sterret Battleship Fund Award and winning the Battle ,E award for the 1992 competitive cycle. vm ,p.,,,,,. . . Vg. , Ji .-,ttf ,fr 1 4' 5 ,,,,,,..i.-I .fi 1 -'B . , V A , - ...-......: tri- . '........-., W ,ptgqgi-giNosQs' 5.-A .....,.p..,.... 'fr f----1 V '4 A A so ,T ,rf

Page 10 text:

COMDE RON 20 1. 1,8 . ,. ga' Mn gi..-gl r V yxf. ?,t.L -Q: -Q lf. ' . H .g O! C PTAIN OLIVER K. SPEARS III 1 U ITED STATES N Captain Oliver K. Spears. III, a native of Maryville, Ten- nessee. entered the United States Naval Academy in 1963. Upon graduation and commissioning in 1967, he reported to the USS BOYD CDD 5441. where he served as Navigator and Main Propulsion Assistant. Subsequent sea tours and billets include Chief Engineer USS CONE CDD 8665, Ex- ecutive Officer. USS DESOTO COUNTY CLST 11711, Op- erations Officer. USS VALDEZ QFF 10965: Executive Officer, USS CONE QDD 8665: Executive Officer. USS NICHOLSON QDD 9821: Commanding Officer. USS JESSE L. BROWN CFP 10891: Surface Operations Officer. Commander Cruiser- 6 USS STARK Destroyer Group TWO. s ed as In previous shore assignments, Captain Spefffs Seniwiuc Officer Programs Officer, Navy Recruiting District NQSF Tennessee and as Officer in Charge of the Navy Sclenu lc Technical Group Europe, based in Munich, Gefmanyil re ht Captain Spears reported from Washintoll, DC' W eChid served for three years as Special Assistant to the DCPUW of Naval Operations CNavy Program Plannlllgi- d also Captain Spears is married to the former Donna'C21 adam of Maryville, Tennessee. Their daughter, Christy, is ai atm at Clemson University and their son, Kelly, is a Stllden College of Charleston.