Telfair (APA 210) - Naval Cruise Book

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T ELFAIR TR VEL LOG TELFAIR left the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in July of l965 after her first maior yard period since being recommissioned in l96l. Recognizing the staleness that inevitably crops up following several months of inactivity COMPHIBLANT assigned us to refresher training atGuantanamoBayinthe middle of August. Several weeks of intensive training under the auspices of Fleet training Group, GTMO, broken only by a weekend iaunt to Montego Bay Jamaica, renewed seagoing skills for the old hands, and introduced new men to the operational routine. While at GTMO, we learned that we were destined to make MED Cruise 3-65 along with units of PHIBRON 8 and IO. Many felt that we could not be sufficiently prepared for an extended deployment by the proiected departure date of October 4. We were already scheduled for two weeks amphibious refresher training at Little Creek during September, and upon completion of that, would have slightly over two weeks to accomplish the myriad details that accompany an amphibious cruise. Dutifully the officers and men of TELFAIR set themselves to the task and succeeded with flying colors. We were ready in all respects for sea on the appointed date. A maior event occurred on TELFAIR a few days before our departure. Much- respected Captain AUBREY SEILER was relieved as skipper by Captain DAVIS BUNTING who came to us from a long career in Submarines. We wished Captain SEILER well in his new position on the COMNAVAIRLANT STAFF and eagerly looked forward to the iob of assisting Captain BUNTING regain his sea legs in a deep draft ship October 4 dawned clear and cold and we set out for the short trip to Morehead City, North Carolina, to load our Marine contingent and their equipment. For many, it was not until we saw the endless lines of green-clad fighting men waiting to board did we realize the significance and breadth of our undertaking. i Some four hours later, we had two companies of Marines and enough equipment and supplies to keep them battle ready for some time. lt was our good fortune to have as CO of Troops, Captain JOSEPH HOAR, whose cooperation and spirit was instrumental in maintaining the close-knit relationship between Sailors and Marines that characterized the entire cruise. The Atlantic crossing took us two full weeks. We occupied our time with firing exercises, battle problems, and steaming drills. It soon became apparent that Commodore E.G. MILLER was going to demand the highest performances in tight ship-handling. Errant ships were frequently blasted over the radlo.nets for sloppy performance. It seemed to us on the bridge that TELFAIR received fewer calls than other ships but some of the mistakes we did make were really beauts.