Suribachi (AE 21) - Naval Cruise Book

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Since commissioning, SURIBACHI has operated in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Medi- terranean and Indian Ocean with the SECOND, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH fleets. SURIBACHI supported U.S. Forces in Lebanon, Grenada and the North Arabian Sea. During the conflict in Vietnam, SURI- BACHI operated with Naval vessels of the SEVENTH Fleet in support of U. S. combat activities in Southeast Asia. The Battle E and excellence awards are regularly recorded in her history including the Battle E for the competitive cycle of April 1982 to Sep- tember 1983. SURIBACHI 'S crew is very dedicated and proud, boasting that their ship is First in her class, Best in her class . SURIBACHI has an overall length of 512 feet. Her max- imum draft is 31 feet and fully loaded she displaces approx- imately 17,500 tons. Her single screw is driven by geared steam turbines, with steam supplied by two distillate fuel- burning water tube boilers equipped with automatic com- bustion control. Her maximum speed is 20 knots, with a maximum sustained speed of 18.8 knots. There are accom- modations for 20 officers, 21 chief petty officers, and 309 enlisted men. 3

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The keel of USS SURIBA- CHI IAE-21j was laid in Jan- uary 1955 at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Sparrows Point, Maryland. The ship was com- missioned in November 1956 as the prototype of a new class of ammunition ship designed by the U.S. Navy. The ship's name is taken from Mount Suribachi, the extinct volcano over which the United States Marines raised the American Flag dur- ing the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. SURIBACHI's mission is to serve as a link between the production and storage of ammunition ashore and its use by combatant ships on the high seas. She has been specifically designed to carry and transfer the most advanced ammuni- tion, weapons and missiles. An extended helicopter platform enables the ship to simultan- eously replenish ships several miles away as well as those along side. During a major conversion in 1965, SURIBACHI was equipped with STREAM lStan- dard Tension Replenishment Alongside Methodj. This modern system, which features constant tension Winches, is designed to provide a fast, controlled method of transfer- ring ammunition, bombs, mis- siles and other required mater- ials. Since its installation, the system has been continuously modified to provide the latest and most efficient services to all type ships. 2 I I

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coMM DI G OFFICER COMMANDER STEPHEN P. DUERMEYER Commander DUERMEYER is a 1964 graduate of Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota Where he earned his Bachelor's Degree majoring in History. He was commissioned in February 1965 following completion of Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Following completion of Naval Mine Warfare School in Charleston, South Carolina, Commander DUERMEYER was assigned as Engineering Officer aboard USS ALBATROSS IMSC-2891 where he served from May 1965 to September 1967. After attendance at the Naval Destroyer School, Newport. Rhode Island, Commander DUERMEYER then completed successive tours as Engineering Officer aboard USS HARTLEY IDE-10291 from July 1968 to July 1969 and USS GARCIA IFF-10401 from July 1969 to September 1970. In November 1970, Commander DUERMEYER assumed command of USS TILLAMOOK IATA-1921 where he served until May 1971, and commanded USS NIPMUC IATF-1571 from June 1971 to Aug11Sf 1972. From September 1972 to December 1974, Commander DUERMEYER was assigned duties on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Naval Forces, Europe as War Plans and Eastern Mediterranean Bases Manager. He then attended the Royal Navy Staff College under the U. S- Personnel Exchange Program from January 1975 to October 1977. Upon completion of his tours in the United Kingdom, Commander DUERMEYER reported aboard USS SARATOGA ICV-60jwhC1'C he served as Main Propulsion Assistant from September 1975 to October 1977. In March 1978, following completion of Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander DUERMEYER served as Executive Officer aboard USS DEWEY IDDG-45j until December 1979. From January 1980 to July 1981, Commander DUERMEYER was assigned to the Naval S63 Systems Command where he served as Deputy Project Manager for the Steam Propulsion Plant Improvement Project. From August 1981 to June 1982, Commander DUERMEYER attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. Upon completion of advanced Surface Warfare and Sen' Off' ' ' der DUERMEYER reported aboard USS SURIBACHI - ' lor mer Trammg' Comman KAE 211 ln November 1982 d d d t'es aS Commanding Officer. Commander DUERMEYER's personal awards include tg? Nei? SLCIfJ11?11me?1ciati0I1 Medal fwith Gold Starj and the Navy Achievement Medal. y 4