Land Battles Long Hours, Supports Fleet During Operation Iraqi Freedom
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS030520-10
Release Date: 5/21/2003 3:30:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class Linda Pepka, USS Emory S. Land Public Affairs
LA MADDELENA, Italy (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) live up to the submarine tender's motto - The LAND of Opportunity.
They continually devote their time and energy into keeping the ship mission ready, more so during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The nation didn't stand still while waiting for war, nor did the crew of Land. Training, drilling and becoming watch standing qualified was the primary 24/7 lifestyle, as the ship's crew prepared to deploy for an undetermined amount of time.
The forward-deployed unit left its homeport in La Maddalena, Italy, in mid-February to provide vital services to submarines and surface ships in the Mediterranean during the global war on terrorism.
It wasn't an easy task for any one division, but with an engineering plant built to support a small town and more than 50 different specialized shops aboard the Land, day-to-day challenges were met with determination and teamwork.
The crew of more than 1,250 arrived in Souda Bay, Crete, moored and tended over a dozen ships that were going to and returning from the war in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Land relinquished its pierside location for carriers, mine sweeps and other ships, and repeatedly anchored in the Souda Bay harbor.
While in port Crete, the crew welcomed the ship's 14th Commanding Officer, Capt. D. M. Volonino.
Land's underway was the longest in its history at La Maddalena, Italy. One big challenge on the ship was getting the crew pierside to use laundry facilities, during a demanding period of limited water usage.
Deck Department came into the spotlight by operating the ship's small boats and braved bitter waters to almost exhausting limits, so the crew could have brief periods of liberty.
The threat of demonstrators was real, and a Personnel Recall Drill was carried out while docked at the pier. The purpose was to practice getting personnel back to the ship within a timely manner, lift the brow, post armed personnel at critical positions and have hose teams standing by to deter protesters.
Visits from Rear Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, commander of Submarine Group 8 were welcomed, as he came aboard to recognize some the ship's high achievers.
According to Volonino, his observations have seen a crew of devoted professionals, who continuously go above and beyond what is required of them. His crew hears his words regularly over the shipboard announcing system; "Go big Land!"
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