Valdez (FF 1096) - Naval Cruise Book

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diibouti, t.f.a.i. ,.f.. ..,. .4 . .,. 5 ff 5zfR2:iw.s.c:S.PEi45,fsR3,fiDeSwas F H , , unsung gl t ff3c's l i dllb0U'lI, the capital and only 5 gMg,!L.95?TV : important urban area ofithe french 3 Era 5111 H gh E l 1 ,uw I territory of the afars and issas, owes 5 M H 1 5 Amzni e. j its importanceto its vast hmterland, z L5 A , i gggggfn -' its portiand railway facilities, and its L l -PAWS Dfjusqgff-.gp 3 strategic position on the gulf of aden -'- '.'- -'H - near the straits of bab el mandeb. european powers first became interested in the area after the building of the suez canal in the 1860's, but it was not until 1883 that the french government took formal possession of the area. diibouti became the capital city in 1896. during and after the italio-ethiopian war of 1935, due principally to increased traffic over the railroad, diibouti experienced a considerable boom. however, at the outbreak of world war ll, the colony found itself in an extremely tenuous position which became worse after the french collaspe in the spring of 1940. from the summer of 1941 until early 1942 the british blockaded diibouti in an effort to induce the colony to renounce its adherence to the vichy government and ioin the cause of the allied nations, which in fact was finally brought about in december 1942. in a referendum of march 19, 1967, the territory elected to remain french and by a decree signed by the high commissioner changed its name to the french territory of the afars and the issas lthe two principal native tribesl. rate of exchange 195 d.f. 2 51.00 .., ,M W 3, '-inn-.gh 'I Q bun,.,,.-,..,v-- ff , cs 12, X71 french foreign legion the last outpost of the

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stg3 allen i. brzowsky stg3 larry hamilton florala, ala. baltimore, md. ,, ,MJ-. V L fri f . Xfff stg3 billy e. thompson salem, oregon charleston, s.c. tm2 leroy e. heskett usn stg3 ioseph k. corbett orangeburg, s.c. gmt2 iohn i. godwin poughkeepsie, n.y. WN, N. K -www-e, 'fthe last hurmhn gmtsn raymond i. iseldyke usn westwood, n.i. ...... -1..-..-, , , ,U Af f, Wh , . 6 ,fi A.-WN' . fry!! , .,,, ,I fi rlrl -V ,W , f l l l l l l l l l l l 6 v l l l l 1 I l x l l Y l l l I I 'l r l l l I l f , l

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uncle mess Dlx Sous-ornclsns FM COMIDEASTFOR TO USS VALDEZ 1. It is a pleasure to welcome the USS VALDEZ and JESSE L. BROWN to the Middle East Force. You are embarking on a potentially highly rewarding deployment that will be a challenging te st of your organizational, operational, and administrative talents. Z. Although the size of the Middle East Force has remained relatively constant since our establishment in 1949, the mission has grown tremendously. One need only glance at any news oriented periodical to recognize the ever-increasing focus of world attention on the Middle East. You must, therefore, be prepared to deal with a large range of challenges. Our geographical location will place unusual stress on your material management, supply organization, and pipeline difficulties. Many aspects of personnel administration, drug control, conduct and dress of the crew ashore, mail delivery, and other 'routine' matters will assume new importance and will tax your abilities and imagination. In all your undertakings, ashore and at sea, you will be highly visible representatives of the Navy and the United States. - 3. The potential rewards of this tour are great. In your role as goodwill ambassadors you will become acquainted with representatives of ancient but dynamic cultures. The ports you will visit offer a diversity in opportunities and are among the world's most interesting. You will work closely with and observe first hand the professionalism of the area's small but highly motivated and well-trained naval forces. As the U. S. Navy participants in the annual CENTO exercise, MIDLINK 1975, you will no doubt find this joint exercise to be the operational highlight of your deployment. Operating in one of the world's most volatile and strategically important areas, your performance of every evolution will be subject to scrutiny at the highest levels. 4. Throughout the duration of your deployment, I call on you to plan each phase of your operations from landing party inspections to port visits with professionalism, creativity and thoroughness. 5. My staff, USS LA SALLE, and NCSO Jufair Bahrain stand ready to assist you to the fullest of their capabilities. We are glad to have you as part of the team. I am looking forward to seeing your smart ships and fine crews in action. Welcome aboard. Rear Admiral T. J. BIGLEY, USN, Commander Middle East Force. -was .lm