Virginia (CGN 38) - Naval Cruise Book

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4 9 Captain Joseph F. King was born in Concord, New Hampshire. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1959. Captain King served on the USS DECATUR, USS TRUXTON, USS SOUTH CAROLINA, on the precommis- sioning unit of USS VIRGINIA, as Com- manding Officer of USS RICKETTS and returned to USS VIRGINIA to take com- mand in October 1981. Captain King holds a master's degree in oceanogra- phy. He is married to the former Nicki Acree of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. The King's have two sons and three daugh- ters. CAPT King greeting VADM Briggs, COMN AVSURFLAN T 4 IW l v I A 1 1 w K I gg, L Q Captain Joseph F. King, Commanding Officer . USS VIRGINIA L r l L 5 v E l I1 ! ll 14, Cutting the cake on Over The Hump day

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' .0 CW If sip yifff F TABLE QF CONTENTS COMMANDING OFFICER 2 EXECUTIVE OEEICER 4 CHAPLAIN 5 USS VIRGINIA 6 IN MEMORY 7 ENGINEERING S BEIRUT 30 PORTS 33 COMBAT SYSTEMS 52 V OPERATIONS 61 SUPPY 78 X DIVISIGN, MEDICAL, NAVIGATION 84 HOMECOMING 94 4Xm..1tiV if ff ,' f My 9

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Each deployment starts with expectations, a sense of loss and loneliness as we leave loved onesg and perhaps a feeling of dread as we face a period of being thrust into a confined space with strangers. Somehow we survive. The adventures and work keep us busy, the loneliness turns to anticipation of a return to loved ones and of course strangers become shipmates - our thoughts are seldom of war. This deployment has in many ways been unique. We have spent long days off the coast of Lebanon over three periods. During each period we have seen a marked change. The first time we were assigned to the waters, we actively sought opportunities to go ashore. There was no appreciable threat to our Marines and it was an adventure. The city of Beirut was brightly lit. On our second visit, a pall of tension existed but the airport still functioned and negotiations were in progress. The lights had dimmed. As I write this, Marines have died, ships have fired at positions that have been used to fire on the Marines, and the presence of war is known by the constant shelling. Much of the region is dark. There is a relationship between the lights and hope of peace. The periods have been different but instructive. We have seen what can happen to a country and all of us understand the blessings we enjoy at home - We are con- vinced we will not let this happen to our loved ones. I thank all of you for the transition you have made into being shipmates and for the strong effort you have made for your nation. For the families that read this book, thanks for the support you have provided your loved one. It has been a long cruise. We are older and wiser. Our love for family and country has grown. And as we expected, we did have adventures. This book will let you know some- thing about what we did and who was there. Thank you again for the role you played in this exciting deployment. J.F. KING