THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411060226
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Hundreds of Navy chief petty officers came from as far as Italy and Cuba on Saturday to celebrate the commissioning of a new ship named in honor of them - the Chief.
The morning ceremony to commission the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship Chief (MCM-14) into service drew more than 2,000 retired and active-duty chief petty officers to Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
Only the second ship in Navy history to be named for CPOs, the Chief was responsible for what may be the biggest gathering ever of chief petty officers, the highest position among enlisted sailors.
``There are no words to describe this,'' said Bob Conklin, command master chief for the Atlantic Fleet Surface force. ``You really need to be a chief to understand how important this is. Its significance is a personal experience for every chief.''
Some of the Navy's top brass turned out for the commissioning, including the keynote speaker and new chief of naval operations, Adm. Jeremy ``Mike'' Boorda. Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett, D-2nd District, also attended. In all, between 3,000 and 4,000 people were on hand for the celebration.
Breezy and sunny, the day featured a lineup of speakers who praised the virtues of the Navy's chiefs and hoped those traits lived on in their namesake ship.
``The very name says it all: the best, No. 1, a winner in every way,'' Boorda said. ``Everyone knows the word leadership and the title of chief go together.''
He added, `` `Chief' is more than just a name. It's a symbol, a tradition of all that's good and honorable in the greatest navy the world has ever known.''
Salutes and music from a 52-member Navy band composed of CPOs contributed to the festive atmosphere of the day.
``I think this a momentous occasion for the chiefs, which are the mainstay and backbone of the community,'' said Jerome W. Nelinson, vice president of the Hampton Roads Council Navy League of the United States.
Amid cheers and sustained applause, the crowd rose to its feet after the speeches as the crew of the Chief ran onboard to man the ship and sound its horn, signaling the ship's coming to life.
Built in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the 224-foot ship is assigned to find and destroy mines that cannot be countered by conventional minesweeping techniques. It will carry a crew of 70 sailors, seven CPOs and seven officers and eventually will be stationed at Ingleside, Texas.
The first Chief (AM-315) was retired in 1972 after service in World War II and Korea, after earning seven battle stars from both missions. It was transferred to the Mexican navy, where it was renamed and reclassified as the Jesus Gonzalez Ortega (G-15).
Chief petty officers exuded pride and happiness over the latest ship in tribute to them.
``You feel honored,'' said Master Chief Petty Officer Art Rodriguez, who had flown in from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Friday. ``It was definitely worth it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
GARY C. KNAPP
Master Chief Boatswain's Mate George Ingram calls the chiefs to
attention during Saturday morning's commissioning ceremony at Little
Creek Naval Amphibious Base. The Chief is only the second ship in
the Navy's history to be named for chief petty officers.
The chest of medals belongs to Bob Conklin, command master chief for
the Atlantic Fleet Surface Force. The Chief's naming, he said, is an
honor: ``There are no words to describe this.''
by CNB