Tulare (LKA 112) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP'S HISTORY The USS TULARE QLKA-1121 is one of the modern Navy's newest and fastest attack cargo transports. Named for Southern California's Tulare County, the ship was commissioned on 12 January 196 . Possessing some of the most recent innovations in naval technology, the TULARE is capable of meeting a wide range of responsibilities. Her cargo handling ability is enhanced by four large cargo holds and four 60 ton cargo booms. The flight deck located on her stern en- ables the ship to medivac patients and transfer urgently needed sup- plies to beach heads. To assist in transferring men and material, the ship's compliment of nine LCM-6 assault craft are effective and de- pendable. Six 3 f50 caliber gun mounts proved the TULARE with the best defensive capability for an amphibious ship. Despite her large size - 564 feet in length, 76 feet in width, and displacement of 18,000 tons - the TULARE is capable of speeds greater than 22 knots. The TULARE set sail on 30 January 1969. While overseas, the ship served as a unit of the Navy's Seventh Fleet and as a part of Am- phibious Ready Group BRAVO. While serving with the ready group, the TULARE was combat-loaded with Marines, equipment, and logistic back-up supplies. The ship's company demonstrated the high degree of readiness during Operation Brave Armada. After serving seven and a half months in the combat zone, TULARE returned to San Diego on 15 September 1969. In addition to bringing her own crew home safely, the TULARE also brought elements of the lst Marine Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion home from duty in Vietnam.

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CAPTAIN T.B. RUSSELL JR. USN PAST COMMANDING CFFICER Captain Thomas B. Russell, Jr., attended the Naval Aviation Ca- det Program QV-5J in 1943, and was commissioned an Ensign in 1945. He served as an aviator with VF-8A and VF-72 before re- turning to school at Iowa State College. During the Korean Con- flict he served with Composite Squadron ELEVEN engaged in combat operations against North Korea. After completing General Line School in 1953, Captain Russell became a flight instruc- tor at Whiting Field, Pensacola, Florida. Later assignments include billets in USS SIBONEY, FAUTULANT Det B, VF-21 and duty with the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C., after Armed Forces Staff College. Captain Russell returned to the fleet in 1962 to serve as Ex- ecutive Officer. and then Com- manding Cfficer of Attack Squad- ron ONE FIFTY-FIVE. He later commanded Attack Car- rier Air Wing 14 engaged in com- bat operations in Southeast Asia. In 1966, he returned to Washing- ton to duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and to obtain a degree in political science at George Wash- ington University, prior to re- porting aboard TULARE. Captain Russell is married to the former Lee Bleir of Lafayette, Rhode Island. They have three children.