| The operations Department headed by LTJG C.L. SNYDER is composed of the Radio Communications Group and the Ship's Electronics Material Re'pair Force. Their combined mission is to conduct and maintain reliable and secure communications for Commander Submarine Squadron Twelve and the USS BUEMELL, The communications group supervised by A.L. STEWART, RMC USN, maintains a continuous 24 hour communications center employed in sending and receiving radio messages covering all subjects and classifications. Much of this radio traffic is in direct support of Submarine Squadron Twelve, and also includes messages which may be required for individual members of the crew. The Classified Message Center, supervised bY R.I. POTTER, RMC USN, processes messages of a sensitive nature that require special coding procedures and handling. The electronics material repair force under C.B. JONES, ETI maintains the pommunications and electronic equipment in a continuous state of readiness. The round-the-clock operation schedule of the communications center imposes strict requirements on the reliability and material condition of the communications equipment. This is very ably met by our vigilant electronic technicians. During Hurricane Donna the USS BUSHNELL acted as a relay station for all of the traffic between Key West and mobile units assigned to the Marathon, Florida area, handling message requests for items from gasoline to serum for snake bites. Despite the age-old reliability of well trained lookouts, modern electronic aids to navigation are fast becoming an accepted requirement for safety at sea. Among the latest developments are Loran for improved navigation; Pathometers for accurate depth finding; and of course Radar. These electronic pieces of equipment are all maintained by the electronic technicians, and it is understandable that responsibility and timely attention to these duties are constant. Maintenance of this equipment has much to do with the safe navigation of the ship. During the underway periods of the tender, several of the Radiomen are assigned to man the Squadron Communications Center in Building 101, U.S. Naval Station. The squadron communication center ashore maintains the equipment and traffic until the BUSHNELL returns to home port. While the ship is at sea a continous communications guard is still manned as required by all ships at sea. The variety of methods of communications on board include, teletype, continuous wave, and voice. The Communications Department on board also offers a service of ship to shore telephone. The Navigation Department under the direction of the Navigator, LT W.F. ROGERS is responsible for the safe navigation and piloting of the ship. "W I Division of BUSHNELL is composed of both Quartermaster's and Signalmen. Bushnell maintains continous visual signal watch in direct support of Submarine Squadron TWELVE. |
Since you got my memory going last evening, the whole event is coming back to me fairly vividly. As I told you, I do not remember the date or month. I was Commander Submarine Squadron SIX in Norfolk at the time (1982 to 1984). COMSUBLANT designated me as the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) for the SINKEX. 