Pictures of the USS Vega AF59, personnel and operations

         CO's CORNER

     Well, here we are - on the way home from a highly successful WESTPAC cruise. It looks like our BEST BEEF BOAT will wind up with three records: the individual AF-CVA unrep record with RANGER (already recognized), the deployment average transfer rate for AF-CV, and the deployment average all-ships rig/unrig time. We didn't miss a single scheduled commitment, and responded to the changes and unscheduled commitments 100%. And at the end of the cruise, Vega was in better material and operational condition than at the beginning. I'm really sorry we didn't get a departure inspection from RADM KEFAVER, and will not get one from COMSERVPAC - I'd be mighty proud to show off to either of them the Vega that I saw Friday on Zone Inspection. At that time, I can honestly say, the ship was in the best shape I had ever seen her. To ALL HANDS, who teamed up and put out a lot of hard work in the clean up, WELL DONE!
     Further, I want to compliment you all on Vega's overall performance record ashore. Let's not deceive one another - there were more VD cases than we needed, and a few more mast reports than I had hoped for. Still, there was only one relatively minor incident involving foreign nationals; and the record became progressively better and ended with a clean slate in Hong Kong and Sasebo. VEGAmen have definitely proved that they are NOT UGLY AMERICANS.
     Now, we are entering a new phase of life. We must prepare to get the most out of our yard period, and still keep our ship clean and comfortable. At the same time we must look ahead to refresher training and the various trials and tribulations that go with it. The better shape that we are in before we enter the yard, the easier it will be to bounce back when we come out. For this reason our current training effort will emphasize the type of things we must be proficient in at that time. If everybody continues to show the same interest, imagination, and ingenuity that characterized Vega in WESTPAC, it will be a breeze.
                                                          E. M.

     Just what have we accomplished while in WESTPAC? I know you have your own personal ideas of what has been done, and I hope you are interested in the following information, furnished by the Cargo people.
     The BBB Vega departed San Francisco with a fleet issue load of 1,967 tons of provisions and 47 tons of PACFLAP items. We replenished 118 ships plus several consolidations and depot transfers. Of the entire load, about 480 tons were transferred at sea.
     Eight underway replenishments were conducted ranging from one to six ships. A total of 25 ships received chow from us.
Probably the most memorable transfer was the RANGER record-breaking UNREP. Personally I will remember the night transfer to the CORAL SEA, due to the stormy night and the lightning scaring hell out of me on the signal bridge. The deck force, cargo people and all the hatch teams really showed their stuff that night!!
     Other high spots of the cruise include:
       The excellent chow we had.
       The rain "jinx" on our ball team.
      Our bowling team being crowned champs.
       The "hair down" parties in the liberty ports.
       Hong Kong
       The softball game/beer bust.
       The presence of a "Limey" sailor aboard the Vega.
       The replenishment of the USS HERRICO.
      The basketball league between the different departments aboard ship.
       Easter Sunday at sea.
       The snack bar at sea.
       And the fun we've had putting out this silly paper.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
                                 The Staff
     EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVIS YN1
     I DID IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MASSEY PN3
     COPY BOY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVIS SN
     ARTIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEDRICK EM3