USS EMORY S. LAND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION || AUGUST 2017 || VOLUME 8 || ISSUE 8 || TEAM TENDER
LIBERATION DAY The military and local community came together for the 73rd anniversary of Guam’s Liberation Day. Pg. 15
WHO WAS EMORY S. LAND? Learn about our ship’s namesake. Vice Adm. Emory S. Land’s life and legacy. Pg. 31
FAMILY MATTERS Local sea cadets tour the ship to learn about our mission and what it means to be “part of the Navy family.” Pg. 11
L ANDM ARK magazine is an authorized publication for Sailors aboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by, the United States government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Emory S. Land. All news, photos, and information for publication in Landmark magazine must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. Magazine produced by USS Emory S. Land Media Services. USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is manned by an integrated crew of Sailors and civilian Mariners under the administrative control of Commander, Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and operational control of Commander, Task Force 74. As a forwarddeployed naval force, USS Emory S. Land is tasked to provide expeditionary intermediate level maintenance and repairs, hotel services, and logistics support to deployed Guided Missile and Fast Attack submarines deployed in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
COMMAND TRIAD COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Douglas Bradley EXECUTIVE OFFICER Cmdr. Robert Lopez COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM William Greene
MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. Bradley Newsad LEADING PETTY OFFICER MC1(SW) Timmy Wakefield MEDIA SERVICES MC1(SW/AW) Oliver Cole
UNITED WE STAND Service members from every branch parade the colors during the annual Liberation Day parade. (Photo by MC3 Daniel Willoughby) 1 | LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
MC2 Alex Miller MC3 Daniel Willoughby
ON THE COVER: Emory S. Land and Frank Cable Sailors march in the annual Liberation Day parade.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART OF THE FAMILY Sea cadets toured the ship to learn about our mission and responsibilities. Check out what skills the future of our armed services learned during their tour.
PAGE 11 LEADERSHIP Pg. 03 - The Commanding Officer
Pg. 07 - The Command Master Chief
PG 27
FEATURES
Pg. 11 - Sea Cadets Tour ESL Pg. 15 - Liberation Day Pg. 23 - Teamwork in Merizo Pg. 27 - Old Ironsides
HISTORY
Pg. 31 - Who Was Emory S. Land?
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THE COMMANDING OFFICER THE HIGHLIGHTS
We continue to provide first-class repair services. As typhoon season began, one of the items I tasked our entire crew with was underway readiness. We’re going to continue to exercise that readiness and we stand ready to get underway if and when required.
Liberation Day Liberation Day may be the biggest event of the year on Guam. It’s a time of remembrance and memorials to pay respect to those that lost their lives during World War II and the liberation of Guam. It’s also a time to celebrate our hardearned freedom. We participated in several events on and leading up to Liberation Day. Team Tender Sailors assisted in building a float with our sister village of Asan and the end result was lauded by parade-goers. Command Master Chief Greene and I also attended a very moving event at Asan Beach Park with the mayor of Asan. It was a ceremonial recognition of those that fought and lost their lives at Asan Beach, one the landing sites for our offensive to liberate Guam. It was a heartfelt ceremony that provided much to reflect upon. Merizo, one of our other sister villages, also remembered and paid tribute to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the days leading up to 3 | LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
Liberation Day. Just days before the beginning of the liberation of Guam, dozens of Merizo villagers were massacred in two separate locations near the village. Team Tender Sailors helped lead the effort to clean up both massacre sites prior to Liberation Day ceremonies in Merizo. The culminating event was the Liberation Day parade. Nearly 100 Team Tender Sailors marched in the parade or rode the Asan village float. We also had many other Sailors serving in supporting roles including members of our dental division supplying water and assistance in case of a medical emergency, and our Sailors who marched with the sea cadets. It was a great day for Team Tender and a great day for Guam. “One Guam” “One Guam” is a commitment made in 2011 that centers around four separate pledges. The overall goal is for the military and its members to fully integrate and become part of one community united in protecting our island. It’s about improving the quality of life for the people of Guam as well as the military that call Guam home. That’s the “One Guam” spirit.
SPIRIT & TRADITION Capt. Douglas Bradley waves to the crowd during Guam’s annual Liberation Day parade. LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017 | 4
LEADERSHIP
THERE’S AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK AND DIFFERENT DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE ON THIS SHIP. I WANT TO THANK THE CREW FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO OUR MISSION. I have tasked the crew to meet that objective in both their everyday lives and community relations projects. We have at least one community relations event with our sister villages each month. I’m very proud of our effort and I think it supports the “One Guam” spirit of improving the community. Many of our Sailors and their families use the beautiful parks and beaches on the island and community relations events are a way for us to give back by improving the island for everyone’s enjoyment. We’ve also hosted leaders from our sister villages on board Emory S. Land. It was a chance for us to show them our mission and what we do day to day. Likewise, we’ve had the opportunity to be in their villages for fiestas and other events like Liberation Day. These interactions help demonstrate our commitment to working together to improve the quality of life on Guam and add value to the community. July’s Mission Accomplishments Our mission is to be a mobile platform that provides intermediate-level repair, resupply and reload to submarines and surface ships. We’ve been tasked with being the lead maintenance activity in Guam since May 2016, and as a result, we haven’t exercised our mobility recently. However, we’ve provided a lot of waterfront support and kept our submarines in the fight. We entered July in the middle of a couple of continuous maintenance availabilities (CMAVs). One of the responsibilities most people don’t hear about is maintenance planning. The biggest highlight in July was the robust and detailed planning we completed for our upcoming CMAVs. We’re well ahead of where we have been in the past. The progress our team has made planning and preparing to execute has already paid dividends as we hit the ground running with several CMAVs in July. The second highlight was liberty. Our mission to be good citizens of the community is 24/7 and we continue to represent the ship and the Navy well. We came through the holiday weekends successfully without having any negative interactions in the 5 | LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
community. Everyone enjoyed themselves safely and respectfully and continued to do that for the rest of the month. In support of U.S. Pacific Command’s theater security cooperation mission, we had a number of visitors tour the ship last month. Between the Australians, Japanese and Republic of Korea visiting Guam and our interactions with them, it’s been a great July for interactions on and off the ship. August and Beyond We continue to provide first-class repair services. As typhoon season began, one of the items I tasked our entire crew with was underway readiness. We’re going to continue to exercise that readiness and we stand ready to get underway if and when required. We have a number of upcoming inspections where we will ensure that we are up to speed and ready at all times. While we’re always ready to get underway, it’s important that we exercise those skills. We’ve worked a lot on underway damage control, and now we’ve begun taking on more advanced underway preparations using the Submarine Piloting and Navigation Training (SPAN) trainer. The SPAN trainer here in Guam recently added a submarine tender module and we have already taken advantage of it to improve our underway readiness. We will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. There’s an immense amount of work and different day-to-day activities that take place on this ship. I want to thank the crew for their dedication to our mission. It is remarkable, especially when I explain our mission and capabilities to visitors of the ship, the multitude of different duties and responsibilities we have between medical, dental, supply, repair, weapons handling, public affairs, and more. We seemingly do everything; we even send teams of Sailors to faraway places, where they continue to excel with forward-deployed repairs, sometimes on short notice. I applaud everyone’s can-do spirit and the integration we’ve had with the community of Guam. Keep it up, go big Land!
LEADING THE WAY Capt. Douglas Bradley, Asan-Maina mayor Frankie Salas and Land chaplain Lt. Wilking Jean stand beside Asan-Maina’s parade float during Guam’s annual Liberation Day parade.
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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF Interview by MC3 Daniel Willoughby
My success depends on the success of others. Whether it’s a watchstanding qualification or a warfare device, leadership on board strives to provide opportunities for people to get qualified and excel in every way possible. Q: CMC, thanks for sitting down with us again. The crew has achieved much recently, including promotions, awards, and warfare qualifications. What are you doing to ensure we stay successful?
parent. Prior to the birth of our youngest child, my wife was off-island for more than 6 months. That experience gave me a better understanding of the importance of family care plans.
A: My success depends on the success of others. Whether it’s a watchstanding qualification or a warfare device, leadership on board strives to provide opportunities for people to get qualified and excel in every way possible. It’s good to see Sailors pushing qualifications even though we’ve been in port for an extended period of time. However, we are adding tremendous value to the fleet by repairing submarines and surface ships. I think the crew should be proud of what they’re doing.
Q: There’s a new Physical Readiness Test (PRT) incentive. Starting in 2018, if a Sailor scores an Excellent Low or better on the PRT, they only need to take the PRT once a year. What are your thoughts about this change?
Q: We understand you’re a family man. How do your experiences as a husband and father shape you as a Sailor? A: To be a successful leader, you at least need to understand what it takes to run a family. The phrase “your family doesn’t come with you in your seabag” is one of the most insensitive statements I’ve heard when it comes to sailors and their family responsibilities. I know what it’s like to have to balance family and work. I also have some perspective on the difficulties of being a single 7 | LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
A: I’ve always thought we should provide some kind of incentive or benefit to Sailors who score excellent and outstanding on the PRT, so I fully support this new change. I’ll be working hard to get an excellent next cycle. My biggest challenge will be the situps. I can do core workouts, I can do planks for 3 or 4 minutes, but there’s just something about situps that feels unnatural to me. Q: What were your best PRT scores and when did you achieve them? A: It would have been when I was in air crew school in 1997. I think my run time was 8:37. I remember the maximums were 67 pushups and 100 situps. I would have hit those marks.
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LEADERSHIP
ULTIMATE Command Master Chief William Greene throws a frisbee during a command sports day.
Q: I understand that you’re in flight school. How is that going? What other fun things are you doing this summer? A: Flying is definitely expensive. I’ve spent over a thousand dollars in equipment and training, but it’s fun and challenging. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m looking forward to flying my family around the island. I’m also getting into scuba diving. Two of my daughters are certified. I’m also doing some other water activities. Safety first! Q: While nothing is set regarding a possible underway and deployment, the crew is pretty excited about potential port visits. What are some of your favorite port calls and what makes them stand out? A: Two of my favorite port calls were Singapore and Thailand. Thailand had a lot of good shopping areas. People could have a good time for without going broke and it was very safe. Safety is always a top concern when talking about port calls and liberty. Singapore was very safe and also had a lot of good shopping. It’s easy to get around there as well. Q: Thank you for your time. Is there anything you’d like to add? A: Keep staying out of trouble. Keep doing a good job on liberty. Overall, we are fixing our mistakes, which is what we want to do. Keep taking care of each other. As always, let us know if you need help with anything.
THE PHRASE “YOUR FAMILY DOESN’T COME WITH YOU IN YOUR SEABAG” IS ONE OF THE MOST INSENSITIVE STATEMENTS I’VE HEARD WHEN IT COMES TO SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.
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LEADERSHIP
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DEEP SEA CADET A sea cadet observes dive operations on the pier.
FAMILY MATTERS SEA CADETS VISIT ESL Story and photos by MC2 Alex Miller
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps was established in 1962 as a federally chartered, non-profit youth development program supported by the Dept. of the Navy and the Navy League of the United States. Sea cadets spent a day on the ship experiening different roles and responsibilities they may fill as Sailors.
Most Sailors begin their commitment to the Navy when they raise their right hand to enlist or take the oath office. Whether it’s at age 18 or 34, this event signals a new beginning in a person’s life. A group of students nationwide chooses to immerse themselves in the lifestyle long before taking that oath: the sea cadets. Fifteen sea cadets from U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Marianas Division Guam visited submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) at Polaris Point. Land supported the tour as part of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) Recruit Training Contingent, a ten-day program demonstrating the Navy’s diversity of opportunities, importance to national security, sea power and projection. The sea cadets toured the ship, stopping at the dive locker, fleet machine shop, a repair locker and the bridge. After the tour, they rotated through four stations where they participated in damage control training, small boat operations, observed dive operations, and used the ship’s Fire Arms Training
Simulator (FATS). Emory S. Land’s crew furthered the goals of its community outreach program by engaging the sea cadets and showing them some of the capabilities of the submarine tender. Land’s commanding officer, Capt. Douglas Bradley, explained the importance of creating a positive presence for local youth groups such as the sea cadets. “The Sea Cadets gained a wealth of knowledge and experience from their time on the ship,” said Capt. Douglas Bradley. “Rotating through the stations and listening to the experiences of our Sailors gave them insight on what we do, how we do it, and what it means to be a Sailor. Whether they join the military or not, they can learn a lot from experiences like these and carry that knowledge forward in a positive way.” USNSCC was established in 1962 as a federally chartered, non-profit youth development program supported by the Dept. of the Navy and the Navy League of the United States.
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FEATURES
HELPING HAND Damage Controlman 1st Class Victoria Wells helps a sea cadet don a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
“The Cadets were very attentive and took an active interest in the material presented to them today,” said Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class James Morrissey, an adult volunteer leading the Sea Cadets through the program. “They weren’t just told what happens on the ship, they got to live it for themselves for a few hours. From donning damage control equipment and charging a hose to using FATS, they were excited about everything they participated in.” “It’s always a lot of fun getting to show the dive locker to kids,” said Navy Diver 1st Class Austin Amaro, one of the day’s presenters. “They take a lot of interest in our mission and light up when they get to look at all the equipment we use. It is a satisfying feeling to see the enthusiasm they show toward things that may seem routine to us.” Land alternates between providing support for in-port submarines on Guam and deploying in support of forward-operating units across the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. One of her primary missions is providing rapid on-site repairs for forward-deployed units to maintain their material readiness. Another part of the submarine tender mission is fostering relationships with the local leaders of Guam and with partner nations while deployed through COMREL events and ship tours.
ROTATING THROUGH THE STATIONS AND LISTENING TO THE EXPERIENCES OF OUR SAILORS GAVE THEM INSIGHT ON WHAT WE DO, HOW WE DO IT, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SAILOR. 13 |LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
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FEATURES
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LIBERATION DAY Story by Commander, Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN Public Affairs
“Submarine Squadron Fifteen and Team Tender Sailors stood together with the local community to remember Guam’s Liberation Day, when U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard forces liberated the island from Japanese control.”
ONE GUAM USS Emory S. Land and USS Frank Cable Sailors march with the Asan-Maina float during Guam’s annual Liberation Day parade. LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017| 16
FEATURES Service members from all branches of the U.S. military joined the local community to commemorate Guam’s 73rd Liberation Day with a parade, July 21. The day of celebration concluded a week of remembrance and memorials held to pay respects to the lives lost during World War II and the liberation of Guam and the Mariana Islands by the Third Marine Division (3rd MarDiv) and U.S. Army’s 77th Infantry Division on July 21, 1944. “I am grateful for everyone who helped make this 73rd Liberation Day parade a success, as it is important to celebrate our history,” said Mayor Jesse Blas of Yona, the Liberation Day Parade Committee Co-Chairman. “Having the military here reflects this year’s Liberation Day theme, “Strength in Unity”; we are truly stronger together as a community, both local and military.” 3rd MarDiv, III Marine Expeditionary Force, is based in Okinawa, Japan, and is the unit recognized for liberating Guam in 1944. Several members of the command were in attendance, including Sgt. Maj. Vincent Santiago, who is native of Merizo, Guam, and whose grandmother was nearly executed during the war. “My grandmother was being lined up to be executed,” said Santiago during an interview in 2016. “That day, when she was lined up to be executed, it was raining hard, and the Japanese soldiers called off the execution. A week later, the Marines liberated Guam. So I look back at that story, and it reminds me of why I serve. It gives me the opportunity to give back to a division that gave so much to me and to the people of Guam. So I may be sitting here today as a Marine, but to be sitting here as a division sergeant for the division that liberated my [grandmother], I just swell with pride.” The 73rd commemoration of the Marines landing on Guam included food, music, dancing, special observances and a parade down Marine Corps drive featuring more than 55 floats and marching units. The island’s military commands showed their commitment to the Liberation Day parade theme of “Strength in Unity” and showed up in force to participate in the day’s festivities. Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15 Sailors marched alongside the command’s submarine float, handing out candy to children watching the parade. The float’s water jets were
IT GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO A DIVISION THAT GAVE SO MUCH TO ME AND TO THE PEOPLE OF GUAM. 17 |LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
SWEET TOOTH A Sailor attached to Naval Hospital Guam distributes candy to parade-goers.
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FEATURES
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ALL SMILES Asan-Maina mayor Frankie Salas gives a thumbs up from his village’s float during the annual Liberation Day Parade. manned by COMSUBRON 15 staff member children, and the sail was manned by Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Perkins, the command’s Operations Officer. Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Atkinson of COMSUBRON 15 escorted Royal Princess Gabriella Paulino Taitague of the command’s sister village, Inarajan. Taitague’s float preceded the submarine float and Sailors from Atkinson’s command. “What an absolutely wonderful day of celebration and remembrance,” said Cmdr. Matthew Freniere, COMSUBRON 15 Deputy for Material Readiness. “We are thrilled to participate in events like this throughout the year in the local communites, but the Liberation Day parade is the highlight for many of our Sailors. The “afa’maolek”, a Chamorro word meaning “cooperation” or “interdependence,” between the Sailors and Airmen serving in Guam and the Chamorro people is clearly evident in today’s events. For COMSUBRON 15 Sailors, events like this and the ones in our sister village of Inarajan make us feel like we are at home while being over 8,000 miles away for many of us. It was an honor to be a part of such a great event and be stationed in such a wonderful and welcoming community. Go Guam!”
Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) also participated in the parade with 92 Sailors marching alongside the float from Asan, which is one of Land’s three sister villages. “Thank you so much for being here today, and thank you for allowing us to have the freedom that we have,” said Blas. “Thank you so much to all the service members.” Every branch of the military on Guam had representation at the parade to include units from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Sea Cadets, and Navy and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. “Each year since the first Liberation Day parade, the island continues to unite to celebrate a timeless respect and gratitude for those who died and those who lived, Chamorro and military, through the war,” Commander, Joint Region Marianas Shoshana Chatfield said in her 2017 Liberation Day message. “On behalf of Joint Region Marianas, we continue to be humbled by this history and by the inclusion of so many participants as we take part in the memorial events. We are honored and grateful to the people of Guam who have welcomed us as part of the community, supporting us and allowing us to fulfill our oath to protect and move the mission forward.”
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FEATURES
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THE NEXT GENERATION Sea Cadets march in Guam’s annual Liberation Day Parade.
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FEATURES
TEAMWORK IN MERIZO Story and photos by MC1 Oliver Cole
Days before the United States liberated Guam from the Japanese, the Japanese military rounded up and massacred dozens of the most influential citizens of the village of Merizo on back to back days. Today, the village memorializes the events every year. Emory S. Land Sailors worked side-by-side with Merizo’s residents to maintain the massacre sites while paying respect and honoring the memories of those lost 73 years ago.
CHIPPING AWAY Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Andrew Esteves chips paint from a guardrail during a community relations project to prepare sites for memorial services for the 73rd anniversary of the Tinta and Faha Massacres in Merizo, Guam. 23 |LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
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FEATURES
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TEAMWORK Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Luz Gonzaleslopez disposes of refuse during a community relations project to prepare sites for memorial services for the 73rd anniversary of the Tinta and Faha Massacres in Merizo. Seventy Sailors assigned to submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) participated in a community relations event to prepare World War II massacre sites for a memorial service in Merizo, Guam. Land Sailors cleaned and painted the Tinta and Faha massacre sites in preparation for Saturday’s memorial service to honor Merizo residents who were massacred 73 years ago on July 15 and 16, days before the liberation of Guam. Merizo is one of Land’s sister villages, and Mayor Ernest T. Chargualaf asked the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Douglas Bradley, if any Sailors were interested in helping with the clean-up and preparations. Bradley was proud when a number of Sailors stepped forward. “Guam is steeped in history from the significant battles and sacrifices made during World War II,” said Bradley. “I am very proud that our Sailors are helping preserve the memories and sacrifices of those that made a difference and lost their lives for freedom. We are committed to creating our own history here by improving the quality of life for the people of Guam as well as the military that call Guam home.” Chargualaf divided the Sailors into groups and sent them to different locations to chip old paint, clean and apply fresh coats of paint. He thanked the Sailors for coming out to help the Merizo locals working on the cleanup. “I wasn’t expecting so many Sailors to come,” said Chargualaf. “It’s a great help to our village, and it gives credence to the ‘sister village to command’ concept.” On July 15, 1944, thirty of the most influential men and women of Merizo were taken to Tinta cave for execution, 14 of whom survived. The next day, thirty additional men were taken and massacred at Faha Cave with no survivors. Chargualaf and the village of Merizo honored and paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the massacres during a memorial on July 15th. LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017| 26
FEATURES
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MAKEOVER USS Constitution is relaunched after a 26-month repair period.
OLD IRONSIDES Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charlotte C. Oliver
The Navy’s oldest commissioned ship has a new sense of youth after returning from a 26-month repair period, ready to continue her service in Boston Harbor.
After a two-year restoration at historic Dry Dock 1 at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston National Historical Park, America’s oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution was refloated July 23. Since entering dry dock on May 18, 2015, ship restorers from the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, and teams of Constitution Sailors have worked tirelessly side-by-side to bring Old Ironsides back to her glory. Captain Robert S. Gerosa, Jr., commanding officer of Constitution, said he was proud of the hard work and dedication of his Sailors during the restoration. “The significance of the water coming in the dry dock is the start of the evolution,” said Gerosa. “It’s the start of getting Constitution back in the water. This is it, this is what we’ve been striving for the last 26 months. We are again in the water where ships need to be.” The restoration saw the replacement of 100 hull planks and the required caulking, the re-building of the ship’s cutwater on the bow, and the on-going preservation and repair of the ship’s rigging, upper masts and yards. Richard Moore, Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston director, was extremely pleased with the
undocking of Constitution. “All of the Detachment Boston employees take great pride in the work accomplished,” said Moore. “The ship restorers, riggers and blacksmith are a group of skilled craftspeople who have put their talents to great use during Constitution’s dry dock restoration. Tonight’s successful undocking is the culmination of the Detachment Boston’s hard work on Old Ironsides over the past 26 months.” Restoring the ship in keeping with the tenets of her original design was an important objective said Naval History and Heritage Command Director Sam Cox. “When she was built, Constitution was among the best-designed ships in the world, she could outrun anything she couldn’t outgun and outgun anything she couldn’t outrun,” he said. “Expanding that advantage has been the objective of Navy shipbuilders since Constitution’s keel was laid,” Cox continued. “Just yesterday, the Navy commissioned the USS Gerald R. Ford, a technological marvel of today. Ford and her crew will make history in new and innovative ways and can trace their lineage back to USS Constitution and the Sailors who first took her to sea in 1797.” LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017| 28
FEATURES
GOOD AS NEW USS Constitution is relaunched after a 26-month repair period.
One of the most highly anticipated tasks was the replacement of Constitution’s copper sheathing below the waterline. Copper sheathing has covered the lower hull since her launch in 1797, as protection against ship worms that could damage the wooden hull. This was one part of the restoration that saw Constitution Sailors get hands-on with preservation work to America’s Ship of State. Sailors helped the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston ship restorers replace 2200 sheets of copper and the felt that is installed behind it. “It’s an incredible feeling to be a part of the team to work on Constitution,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Hunter Sensign. “Every day I came to work and it really sinks in that I’m working on a ship that’s 219 years old.” As the tide in Boston Harbor turned and began to rise, shipyard workers opened the valves in the caisson, the “floating gate” that has held back the harbor water and Dry Dock 1 flooded. It was the first time the sea has touched Constitution’s hull in 26 months. It was a long day for the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, Constitution’s Sailors, and the staff from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as the dry dock flooded and a team of Portsmouth Shipyard divers checked her hull. Constitution finally lifted from her keel blocks at about 9:45 p.m. At 11:15 p.m., after checks were completed, Constitution crossed the sill of the dry dock and into Boston Harbor. Constitution started her service in the U.S. Navy with her launch Oct. 21, 1797. She was one of the six original frigates which began the
new United States Navy and construction was authorized by an act of Congress in 1794. She and sister frigates were designed by shipbuilder Joshua Humphreys. As the Navy’s capital ships, they were larger and more heavily armed than frigates that had come before her, Constitution and her sisters became formidable opponents on the high seas. Her keel was laid in Edmund Hartt’s Shipyard in Boston. She was built from the resilient Southern live oak from Georgia and her three masts were made from the strong white pine of Maine. Humphreys designed her hull at 22 inches thick at the waterline and to protect the hull, copper sheathing was added. Undefeated in battle, she fought wars on the high seas, from the Quasi War with France to the Barbary Wars and most notably the War of 1812 against Great Britain. Her defining and most historic battle was with the British frigate HMS Guerriere, during which one of Constitution’s sailors noticed that some of the enemy’s cannon shot appeared to fall harmlessly off her hull. “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!”, the sailor purportedly shouted - thus she earned her the nickname Old Ironsides. Constitution remains in service to her country today, sharing the history and heritage of America’s Navy. The ship is expected to continue post-docking restoration work before re-opening to the public in early September.
THIS IS IT, THIS IS WHAT WE’VE BEEN STRIVING FOR THE LAST 26 MONTHS. WE ARE AGAIN IN THE WATER WHERE SHIPS NEED TO BE.
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HISTORY
WHO WAS EMORY SCOTT LAND? Research and Story by MC1 Timmy Wakefield Photos from Naval History and Heritage Command
Vice Adm. Emory S. Land’s career spanned nearly half a century and continues to influence and inspire the Navy today. Find out about the man, his contributions and his legacy.
METICULOUS PLANNING
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Vice Adm. Emory S. Land examines a model as Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair.
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HISTORY
LEADER Vice Adm. Emory S. Land arrives in Malta for a meeting of the combined chiefs of staff. 33 |LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017
Life can be a challenging experience when we take the unmarked and overgrown path. There are obstacles that must be overcome, distractions set aside, and other tasks that must be accomplished to reach your destination. Even once you have reached your destination by completing your goals, more are usually established to keep life interesting and meaningful. Life becomes more about the journey than the destination. Vice Adm. Emory S. Land took the unmarked and overgrown path more than once, leading him on a successful journey through life. Land was born in Canon City, Colorado on January 8th, 1879. Back then, Canon City was not as prosperous as it is today. Land had to find ways to create his own success. He joined the Navy, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy on May 21st, 1902. Ultimately, he became a naval architect with a concentration in submarine construction. His naval career lasted 44 years, spanning both world wars and highlighted by his oversight of the design and construction of the submarine fleet. His success was achieved through relentless motivation, attention to detail, and an overall determination to make the Navy’s submarine fleet the best in the world. For several years during and after WWI, he was at the forefront of design efforts for the Navy’s S-class submarines. These submarines were workhorses for the fleet through the end of WWII. This success vaulted him to the vice chairman of the V-boat Plans Committee following WWI. The V-boats were a loose class of similarly designed submarines that were in service from the mid-1920s through the end of WWII. His experience and expertise in submarine construction infrastructure eventually led him to lead the Bureau of Construction and Repair from October 1932 to April 1937. During this time, he continued to improve submarine designs, creating a fleet of submarines unmatched and unseen by any foes during WWII. Land retired from this position and the Navy in 1937.
However, his journey continued when he accepted a position as the Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1938, once again overseeing design and construction and improving the Navy’s fleet. In this position he moved away from submarines to Liberty and Victory cargo-class ships. These mass-produced ships became symbols of U.S. wartime industrial output and were difficult targets for German U-boats. The ships, although large, were fast and maneuverable enough to dodge the U-boats. During this period of his career, he played a key role in the establishment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, New York. The Academy became an important source of commissioned officers entering the Merchant Marines and Naval Reserve during WWII. It is fitting that USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is one of just a handful of U.S. Navy ships to have a hybrid crew that includes more than 150 Civilian Mariners Land passed away at the age of 92 on November 27th, 1971. USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is the lead ship of her class with an appropriate and fitting motto, “Tireless Worker of the Sea.” She and her sister ship, USS Frank Cable (AS 40), are capable of providing mobile intermediate-level maintenance, logistical support, weapons carry and reload, and hotel services to the submarine and surface fleet. Land was officially commissioned July 7th, 1979, making the ship 38 years old this year. Vice Adm. Land took the path less traveled on more than one occasion, but few can match the accomplishments he achieved during the journey. Although he came from a small town with few opportunities, he became a leader and innovator during the most important time in U.S. Navy’s long history. USS Emory S. Land is dedicated to his hard work and commitment to improving the Navy’s fleet design and construction. LANDMARK | AUGUST 2017| 34