Suribachi (AE 21) - Naval Cruise Book

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Here we met the USS GREAT SITKIN, the ship we were to relieve. She gave us some good tips about operation in the Med and some valuable turn-over material. Two days later we said good-bye to the SITKIN as she left for home and then we sailed westward past the Rock of Gibraltar and entered the blue waters of the Mediterranean. We faced our first UNREP with the Sixth Fleet as we met and mutually replenished other units of the Service Force on 12 july. After success- fully completing this exercise we steamed towards the coast of France and entered the little Riviera town of. . . ff .1 ,' Z I 'l 2 1 l l xt l I i if l 3 1 Hr . -1 iE'f'f l-, fy-'F , .xi fwv' w ' sf J Y , W, 'W' ' UH- V 42205- Beaulieu is a busy little city in the summer. The scenery, the people and the unique. pleasure craft that dot irg little coastline and help make up the complexion of the French Riviera were welcome sights for our men. For those in the Liberty Parties who found Beaulieu a little quiet, 10531 transportation provided ready access to nearby CFNIHCS, NiC6, Villefranche and Monaco. A 4 K at 5 4

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'J lt began as we recall on a gloomy june 27, 1966 as the last line cleared the pier at the NAVAL AMMUNITION DEPOT, Earle, N.j. We were loaded out, well trained and ready to meet the Sixth Fleet who was waiting over 3500 miles to the east. The gloom of the day matched our spirits as we steamed down Sandy Hook Channel to meet the great Atlantic Ocean. However, when the coastline faded on the horizon we turned our thoughts and expectations towards things to come. . . During the days it took to cross the Big Lakel' we practiced for the duties that lay ahead. We practiced breakouts, manning rigs, fire drills, man overboard drills and many others. Then on one ungloomy morning our expectations met some satisfaction as we manuevered through the numerous fishing boats off the coast of Spain and steamed into. . . 449' Rot a., Spain it I 'xx Q NT, ', lp fx ,Reb xy !. X ii i-55 ill f ffl so 'mis is EURoPz P l

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U ' Lonesome guitars. Suribachi. Sh indig Fashion Show. During this period at sea We met for the first time Task Group 60.1 With the aircraft carrier, USS INDEPENDENCE and the sleek cruiser USS SPRING- FIELD. We Were to see this mighty group of com- batants many more times and we wanted to make a good impression. We met them and performed a Serviceg a service which was our ship's prime mission. . . Looking ahead to a long period at sea, we departed Beaulieu on 15 january ready for long hours and hard work. To help pass the time and give ourselves a little entertainment, we deco- rated the fantail, got some acts together, and had a . . . GO-GO Hg, 9 ,g,i Suribachi Choir.