EPLOYMEN COMP TION REPORT I 73 DEEP FREEZE

Transcription

1 EPLOYMEN COMP TON DEEP FREEZE 73 REPORT

2 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY U. S. NAVAL MOBLE CONSTRUCTON BATTALON SEVENTY-ONE FPO NEW YORK NMCB7l:S3:sps 5213 Ser March 1973 From: To: Subj: Commanding Officer, U. S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-ONE Commander, U. s. Naval Support Force, Antarctica Com~ander Construction Battalions, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Deployment Completion Report; submission of Ref: (a) ( b) CTF 43 OPORD 1-72 COMCBLANT OPORD 4-73 Encl: ( 1) ( 2) ( 3) ( 4) ( 5) ( (,) ( 7 ) Unit Location Summary Administrative Summary Historical Summary Equipment Status Report Traininq Summary Logistics Summary Safety Summary ( 8) ( 9) ( 10) Labor Distribution Summary Project Status Summary Progress Photographs 1. ( 1) n accordance with references through (10) are forwarded. (a) and (b) enclosures 2. Unit Location. n accordance with references (a) and (b), U. s. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-ONE consisting of an average of 10 officers and 172 enlisted men was deployed to McMurdo Station, Antarctica from 7 October 1972 to 21 February Details and detached unit locations ar e indicated in enclosure (1). 3. Unit Moves. 7 September October 1972 Winfly Detachment 78 arrived McMurdo to complete construction of the Communications/Transmitter Facility. LCDR SHANDY, LT CARLSON, LTJG STERN and 21 men departed Quonset Point, R.. for McMurdo Station, Antarctica as the first main body deployment increment.

3 NMCB7l:S3:sps October October October October November November November December December December January 1973 CDR CROSSON, CO, NMCB-71, ENS SYLVESTER, ENS KOPPS, ENS ANDERSON, ENS GRAY, and 110 men departed Quonset Point, R. T. for deployment to McMurdo Station Antarctica. LCDR SHANDY, LT CARLSON, LTJG STERN and 19 men arrived at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. CDR CROSSON, CO, NMCB-71, arrived at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. LCDR KAY, LTJG ZACHARY and 14 men arrived at McMurdo Station, Antarctica completing the deployment of NMCB-71 for DF 73. LTJG ZACHARY, AOC DET POLE, and 30 men arrived at the South Pole Station, Antarctica. LCDR KAY, OC DET POLE, arrived at South Pole Station, Antarctica. E02 STNE and 2 men arrived at Siple Station, Antarctica. LTJG SYLVESTER, ore DET SPLE, arrived at Siple Station, Antarctica. Completed deployment of DET SPLE. Thirty-two NMCB-71 personnel on site. ENS GRAY and the remaining men of DET POLE arrived on site completing the deployment to South Pole S~ation. One hundred NMCB-71 personnel on site. OTC MSK and 24 men redeployed from South Pole Station to McMurdo. 2

4 NMCB7l:S3:sps Januar:'./ f'ebruary February February February 1973 LTJG SYLVESTER and 30 men redeployed from Siple Station to McMurdo upon completion of assigned construction. BUCS GERLOFF and 45 enlisted personnel departed McMurdo Station, Antarctica by military sealift to Christchurch, New Zealand. ENS ANDERSON, ENS GRAY and 50 men deployed from the South Pole to McMurdo, completing the detachment's return. CDR CROSSON, CO, NMCB-71, departed Antarctica. CDR CROSSON, CO, NMCB-71, arrived Davisville, Rhode sland. 4. Significant Events. 10 October October 1972 Construction season opens with the arrival of the first battalion main b o dy contingent to McMurdo. DKl HACKEMACK selected as Davisville Sailor of the Year. 7 November 1972 South Pole const~uction season begins. 10 November 1972 CAPT W. G. STEVENS, Commander TWENTY FRST Naval Construction Regiment and Commanding Officer Construction Battalion Center, Da visville, R.. and CDR D. W. URSH, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Construction Battalions, Atlantic Fleet visited the battalion deployment site at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. 2 3 November 1972 Thanksgiving Day. holiday routine. Battalion observed 3

5 NMCB7l:S3:sps ~ Novomber November December December 1972 ENS PLOCKMEYER, representing the TWENTY-FRST Naval Construction Regiment arrived to assist in the development of a homeport training schedule. Large Peter Snow Miller became operational at the South Pole. CAPT N. W. CLEMENTS, Commander Naval Construction Battalions, Atlantic Fleet, visited the construction sites at McMurdo Station and the South Pole. LT BOUCHER, CBC, Davisville Chaplain arrived at McMurdo Station for TEMADD until late January December December December January January January January January 1973 NMCB-71 South Pole Construction Camp opened. Siple Station actual construction begins. Christmas Day. Battalion observed holiday routine. New Years Day. Battalion observed holiday routine. CUCM WELBORN, NAVFACENGCOM Master Chief, visited the South Pole deployment site. USNS MRFAK, first resupply ship arrived McMurdo. South Pole Geodesic Dome completed. CAPT FOWLER, COMNAVSUPPFORANTARCTCA and CDR CROSSON, CO, NMCB-71 attended the formal inspection at Siple Station incident to turning the facility over to the winter-over Senior Station Leader, Mr. Wi 11 iam TRABUCCO. 4

6 NMCB7l:S3:sps January January January February February February 1973 USNS TOWLE, second resupply smip arrived McMurdo. Peter Snow Miller operations completed at the South Pole. Aircraft LC-130 BUNO 917 crashed upon landing at the South Pole. All aboard escaped injury. South Pole construction season closes. Construction season closes with departure of final battalion contingent from McMurdo. CO, NMCB-71,CHOPS to COM21NCR for OPCON. ~~~, w. E. CROSSON Copy to: CNCLANTFLT COMSERVLANT COMCBPAC (2) DR OF NAVAL HSTORY NAVFACENGCOMHQ (Code 06) CO, NCEL, PORHUE COMMANDANT MARNE CORPS (A04E HQ, USMC) DRECTOR TRANNG PUBLCATONS DVSON COM 31ST NCR COM 20TH NCR COM 21ST NCR CO, CBC, PORHUE CO, CBC' PORHUE CO, CBC, DAVSVLLE CO, CBC, GULFPORT CO, NAVSCON, PORHUE CO, CONSTRAU, GULFPORT CO, NAVSCON, DAVSVLLE CO, ALL NMCB's ALL RNCB's ALL RNCR's CECOS, PORHUE ALL RMCB's CNO (OP-44G) (Code 17) (Code 15) 5

7 _ So\&.th Pole. Sta.. Siple Stea.. ENCLOSURE 1

8 TYPE UNT & NR OF ME?i ARRVE/DEPART DESGNATON OFF/ ENL LOCATON DATE AT STE MSS ON DET NMCB SEVEN ONE 4/100 NEW SOUTH POLE 7 NOV 72/ CONSTRUCT NEW SOUTH POLE STATON, ANTARCTCA 4 FEB 73 SOUTH POLE STATON DET NMCB SEVEN ONE l/30 SPLE STATON, 24 NOV 72/ CONSTRUCT SPLE SPLE ANTARCTCA 29 JAN 73 STATON DET NMCB SEVEN ONE 0/15 MCMURDO STATON, 7 SEP 72/ CONSTRUCT COMM/ SEVENTY EGHT ANTARCTCA 12 OCT 72 TRANSMTTER FACLTY DET NMCB SEVEN ONE 2/35 DAVSVLLE, R.. 7 OCT 72/ REAR ECHELON DAVSVLLE (NCLUDES 21 FEB 73 SUPPORT HOMEPORTED DREDGE TEAM) BLUE DREDGE TEAM 1/21 ANDROS BAHAMAS 23 AUG 72/ DREDGNG OPS 15 JAN 73 GOW DREDGE TEAM 1/21 ANDROS BAHAMAS 15 JAN 73/ DREDGNG OPS l'2 :s JULY 73 n... 0 CD c... $......

9 ENCLOSURE 2

10 UNT U. s. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-01'l""E -='========:=-=-=========:=== - - = ====.- -oo.= '?rn 7 ne t 7~ t c ~l Feb 7 3 ~~~~~...-~~~~... ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~----~~~~~~ -~~~--~~~~~~~~~~~--~-~~~~~~~~~~ AVERAGE ON BOARD AT GRACE EM?LOYMENT ' AVEHAGE STE OHAL/ OET ACHMENTS SEABEE TEAMS ATTl<CHt:;;; 3UT 1'101 A T STE REAR ECHELON ADVANCE/ DELAY PARTY j CH A~: :;es ' (DEPLOYMENT TOTALS ) :DEPLQYM ~ N~ ~nto L.S ~~---.r ;...j~i...w~;~...---"'""""...'--~ SCHOOL HOSP. 8R!G LEA.VE RECEPTS TRANSrERS A\'EFUl.GF TOTAL AS~ GNEO E e.a E E E f NON RATED TOTAL OFFCERS 07 i 00 1! SEPARATON Jt;~ERYEWS REEl\LSTMENTS -. CAREER NON CAREER ~ 04 = ~'== =1=1==~===-=========?==============?====11=====~=0=3====4 '.. ~ c~ :c > A ~»:-~~ 8 : : ~:oeo _??=~: -... Au~-~ J ~~ ; ~o ~ 1:L == -..,.-.-=-_..,.._ ===~-======:-=.. :-:;-===-=====~,,.... Ji JO ' v tl , '.. tl -... r.jo '

11 v' - 1n.Y J"F.P.ATOllS REPORT.1:,, '.1~Al1VE ~UAAARY i Ci!PAC (31) llo<i / 1 (llev.j-72) 17;'.- 11"1 ival\ajon Of UNJ lllollau, 1-llPLlfr AUUCUUY. 4. ll>ral PAGE 2 l.l1.rri Jql1 y11 1 the bat ta l ion. Later in the month a general leta.own was experienced due to necessarily austere living conditions. A slow start o n the assigned tasks due to material and equipment shortages also had a negative e ffect. Morale improved early in the month of November as projects got underway and equipment availibility improved significantly. However, later in the month spirits were slightly dampened by a series of events including poor flying we a ther which delayed a much hoped for early deployment to Siple Station. December was characterised by high morale throughout the month. Completion of the new construction camp at South Pole, opening of the battalion mess hall and club there and the success of operations at both Pole and Siple Stations all contributed to maintaining excellent morale. The effects of operational holds, promotion freezes and extentions of rotation dates was countered by the January pay raise and incre ase in comrats. n January the morale continued at a very high level. This is attributed to two ma jor factors. First, the deployment to Antarctica was rapidly nearing completion with the first contingent scheduled to redeploy to Da visville early in February. Second, the natural joy of anticipating the return home was strongly augmented by a great feeling of pride of 2 Enclosure (2)

12 accomplishment during Deep Freeze 73. The construction throuqhout the Antarctic continent were testament to a highly visible record of success which each man could well be proud of. During February battalion morale reflected the joy of homecoming. The diversity of homeport projects, an opportunity to attend schools as well as the reunion with family and friends, have all contributed to high unit spirit. A(flYTT frovono HRTlllllO J QUALTY l ACTtvif\' rag\lldlllo MCUlltO CNSFA ADE OU ATE CNSFA 5.a. MEDCAL OUAL~" GOOD 5.b.DENTAL TqfATED AT SCK CAl.l HOSPTALZED ON SCK LST TODAY CHAPLAN'S UVCU it AV. A~;NOAHC 6 ACTVTES 51 fxpert RFLE/ GOOD PURPLE Pl'10C. COHOUCT HEART MEDAL MEDALS, 1 NEW VO TOTAL VO PATENTS CASES CASES TREATED PUBl.C* fhtnc RLAS.. OTN!ll NfW HLAlll 7 AFFARS so 7 8. AWARDS AND PROMOTONS OTHER OTHER ADVANCEMENT N RA TE E2 E) E4 H E6 E7 _El Ef TOTAL PROCautll 158 Nl~SPA'H 11$1111 l'wu... 3 Off.CER PllOlfllCN * 20** * Letters of Commendation ** Letters of Appreciation 3 Enclosure (2)

13 LESSONS LEARNED. During the past t Wo deploym mts, the Administrative/Personnel function of the battalion has suffered because of a split in responsibility between the main body on deployment and the support detachment in Davisville. The split has necessitated a division of available resources resulting in both groups being undermanned. This division creates a situation wherein duplication of effort is unavoidable. Also, the battalion is two YN short of allowance with little hope of relief in the foreseeable future. The Admin/Personnel group should, therefore, be left intact, regardless of location. Receipt of official and registered mail during DEEP FREEZE 73 was unsatisfactory. Official mail averaged 3-4 weeks transit time while receipt of registered mail was contingent on infrequent U. S. carrier arrivals. Much of the problem stemmed from misrouting at the Fleet Post Office. n th~ future all unclassified mail should be forwarded to the deployment site, thereby simplifying routing instructions. Use of registered mail should be kept to an absolute minimum. Wher e possible, E8/E9 examinati ons should be hand carried to the deployment site to preclude the use of registered mail. Candidates should be screened and boarded prior to deployment. 4 Enclosure (2)

14 ENCLOSURE 3

15 During the month of October the battalion moved to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. This move was highlighted by liberty in Christchurch, New Zealand. During this stopover in Christchurch the battalion participated in activities celebrating Antarctic Week, which included a display of Seabee construction activities in Antarctica. Back in Davisville, at the Navy Day Ball, DKl HACKEMACK of NMCB-71 was honored as the Davisville Sailor of the Year. Petty Officer HACKEMACK was selected from a field of four finalists and was presented with a trophy and a silver bowl which will be on display for the next year. Highlighted this month was UT3 LEPHART, assigned to MLO, who was selected as Seabee of the Month for October. Battalion personnel are anticipating the move to outlying stations at Pole and Siple during November. The pace of deployment operations accelerated during November with personnel deploying from McMurdo to outlying stations. The geodesic dome is taking shape and the construction camp at South Pole is approximately one-half complete. The first increment is conunitted to Siple Station and is engaged in snow clearing operations and camp cleanup preliminary to the receipt of the remainder of the crew and construction cargo. The Blue Dredge Team is conducting maintenance and minor rebuilding of the dredge and will be relieved on station by the Gold Team in mid-january, With construction progressing well at the outlying stations, personnel took time off to enjoy the holiday season. Both South Pole and Siple Enclosure (3)

16 detachments were brought up to full strength during December. CSl GOSS was selected as Seabee of the month for December for his outstanding work in the New South Pole Camp galley. Completion of Siple Station provided one of the many highlights of the current deployment. 1 DUring January it was accepted and turned over to the winter-over crew on 25 January. The crew at Siple provided a station to be proud of for the National Science Foundation and the four men who will call Siple home for the next ten months. South Pole Station passed two major milestones when the geodesic dome was completed along with the Peter Snow Miller operations. These two activities have been the key to continued progress of the entire complex at the New South Pole and their completion is highly significant. -- LC-130 BUNO 917 crashed upon landing at the South Pole on 28 January All aboard escaped injury and critical cargo and mail were recovered with only minor losses in equipment fuel. CM2 WEATHERFORD- was selected as Seabee of the Month for his outstanding effort in keeping the Peter Snow Miller and Huck fastener equipment running. in the low temperatures and high altitude of the polar plateau. n early February an inspection tour of the completed projects at the South Pole, followed closely by the winterizing and securing of the construction camp, marked the close of a successful construction season at the Pole and with the return of the last men of the detachment the site was officially closed until Deep Freeze The main event of the month proved to be the redeployment. Starting with the group that left McMurdo on the USNS TOWLE on the 3rd and ending with the final NMCB-71 McMurdo departure v i a LC-130 aircraft on the 19th 2 Enclosure (3)

17 plus the Christchurch, New Zealand to CONUS flights which started on the 12th and will continue until 3 March. The Battalion was in a state of organized flux, incremental redeployment command briefs, wrapping up McMurdo projects, Christchurch liberty, and finally post deployment leave. UT3 HOFFPAUR was selected as Seabee of the Month for his outstanding effort at Siple Station. 3 Enclosure (3)