Vulcan (AR 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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INTRODUCING COM NAV SURF LANT A New Command A Traditional Mission For A New Navy “...More than 220 ships and about 80,000 Navy men and women are now part of a new command called the Naval Surface Force. U S. Atlantic Fleet. No longer is there an Amphibious Force, a Cruiser-Destroyer Force or, a Service Force. Rather, the Surface Force encompasses all these functions. The unique missions performed by the former commands will continue with the same amount of pride and professionalism as in the past.” “Bean , Bullets and Blac k Oil Without fuel, ships could not sail; without bullets. guns would remain silent; and, mast importantly, without food, sailors at sea would go hungry. Thus, a small variety of ships in the Surface Force have the important mission of replenishment at sea. That is, it’s their job to take on a vast amount of supplies, rendezvous at sea with other Navy ships and pass these supplies during underway replenishment operations. Giant oilers, refrigerated store ships and ammunition ships steam with task force units to enable the amphibious assault ships, the cruisers and the destroyers to fulfill their specific obligations. Technical expertise in salvage and diving operations is also a function of Surface Force ships. When ships, for some reason or another go aground or go dead in the water, salvage ships and fleet tugs provide valuable assistance. Newer replenishment ships in the form of the combat store ship, the fast combat support ship and the replenishment fleet oiler will eventually replace several other ship types because they offer “one stop” service. That is, a ship such as the fast combat support ship (AOK) will be able to resupply the necessary food, black oil and a wide variety of ammunition from her giant storerooms. Repair tenders—called floating factories—offer many varied services to their nests alongside. Almost every type of work is done in tenders—from cutting hair, medical, dental and canvas work to machinery repair, electronic calibration and pattern making. The various missions performed by the many ship types and shore commands within the Surface Force compliment each other to make this major surface command a cohesive, well-equipped seagoing strike force. The thousands of Navy men and women serving in these ships and at the shore support facilities continue to be the most important elements affecting the accomplishment of the Navy’s mission ofsea power for peace. Naval Surface Force Atlantic Fleet 3

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THE CHAIN OF COMMAND 2

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COMMANDER NAVAL SURFACE FORCE UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET NORFOLK. VIRGINIA 23511 This year marks the birth of the Naval Surface Force, Atlantic with its many challenges and responsibilities that directly affect the. whole spectrum of Surface Warfare. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Holloway bald that the establishment of the Surface Forces Atlantic and Pacific will give the Surface Navy the unique capability to: ...Emphasize and innovativeiy expand the Integration of Surface Warfare concepts, tactics, readiness and tAalnlng to meet offensive as well as defensive missions and to significantly enhance the Surface Warfare image by developing a natuAal community with established AequlAements, priorities and objectives with which all surface sailors can a elate.” As new surface ships and weapons systems enteA the fleet In IncAeaslng numbers, all ouA efforts should be channeled towaAd obtal-nlng pAofesslonal and capable pcASonnel. AdmiAal Holloway said, ”The SuAface FoAce must successfully compete foA the best offlceA and enlisted talent available. AttAactlng and Aetalnlng high caliber, enthusiastic and dedicated men foA ouA new ships, In my view, is its most compelling goal. This goal can be successfully achieved by Instituting and maintaining challenging standaAds and cAeatlng an atmospheAe that generates espirlt and a sense of contribution to a vital Navy mission on the paht of each offlceA and man assigned The Naval SuAface FoAce Atlantic will make eveAy effoAt towaAd achieving this goal. With youA support and assistance, the Surface Force will be a unified force that will serve the Navy and the nation well In the yeans ahead. R. E. ADAMSON, Jr. c— Dice Admiral, U.S. Navy