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USS Cleveland Conducts Operations With Leaders to Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060623-11
Release Date: 6/23/2006 2:36:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Nathaniel Bates, USS Cleveland Public Affairs

ABOARD USS CLEVELAND (NNS) -- San Diego magnates received a special opportunity June 13-16, with a chance to embark USS Cleveland (LPD 7) as a part of the Navy’s Leaders to Sea program sponsored by Commander, Naval Surface Forces.

The program is designed to give influential members of the civilian community a chance to experience Navy life firsthand. It helps to generate civilian awareness of the Navy’s mission and role in the war against terrorism, as well as providing hands-on education in the type of training Sailors are given for life at sea.

The Leaders to Sea were flown in by a Navy helicopter and escorted up to the wardroom for a small reception by Cleveland's Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Michael R Dickson. There, the officers instructed the civilian leaders in general safety tips and gave a brief rundown of the day’s events before the tour began.

From the flight deck to the forecastle, from combat information to the engineering plant, the civilian ship riders were given a chance to see all aspects of life aboard a naval warship. The visitors had a rare opportunity to experience amphibious operations and were extremely excited to take a ride with an LCU (Utility Landing Craft) off the well deck of the ‘Steaming Cleve.' After several launches and recoveries, they had a true appreciation of the coordination and organization required to successfully execute this operation.

“It’s just so neat to see what the Navy actually does,” said Leaders to Sea program participant Keith McKenzie, vice president of the investment firm Aliance & Bernstein.

Joshua A. Sonne, a lawyer for the firm Hecht Solberg, after seeing the ship, made a special promise to the Navy.

“It’s great!” he exclaimed, “I have a cousin that is doing a program that is like a boot camp. He has always talked about joining the Marines, but after today I will have to talk to him about the Navy. I’m really impressed with the people.”

Throughout the time on Cleveland, the visitors had the chance to witness man overboard drills, general quarters drills, flight deck fire fighting training, and even ride on Navy amphibious craft.

The tours ended with a farewell from Cleveland's Command Master Chief, CMDCM Jeff Budd, on the future of the Navy and the importance of the Cleveland crew.

“It’s a great program,” said Budd. “It’s good to have local area leaders see what the Navy actually does, to make sure they understand the sacrifices these [Sailors] make.”

Cleveland is a landing platform dock ship, homeported in San Diego.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.