JERRY WOLKOWITZ Garry R. White, the outgoing captain of the USS Arctic, speaks to a crowd assembled during the change of command of the vessel at Naval Weapons Station Earle, Leonardo section of Middletown, last Friday.
Thirteen shots rang out, signaling a change of the guard aboard the USS Arctic.
The USS Arctic AOE-8 has gone from being a U.S. Navy supply ship, carrying weapons and fuel, to a Military Sealift Command ship with mostly a civilian crew that will do the same job.
The mission of the Military Sealift Command is to provide ocean transportation of equipment, fuel, supplies, and ammunition to sustain American forces worldwide during peacetime and in war.
"We are currently the largest employer of merchant mariners in the world. The mariners will be assigned for four months at a time before they go on leave, which is about 30 days. Then they will be reassigned. The ship will always be fully manned, 24-7. That is our mission," said Susan Mello, Sealift’s public affairs officer.
JERRY WOLKOWITZ The USS Arctic was decommissioned last Friday and turned over to Military Sealift Command. It will now be known as the USNS Arctic.
Even the driving rain could not dampen the joyous mood of the Arctic’s remaining crew June 14.
Before the ship was turned over, numerous speakers rose and discussed the Arctic, her captain, crew and the ship’s role during Sept. 11.
It was not a teary goodbye but a joyous celebration of the Arctic, her crew, and what it achieved that terrible day in September.
The Arctic was the first ship to take station in the Arabian Sea as Operation Enduring Freedom began to mobilize, even though the ship was already on its way home.
"The first ship on station was the USS Arctic," said Rear Adm. Lindell G. Rutherford, who is the commander of Carrier Group Four. "Over the next few weeks they provided vital logistic services for four carrier battle groups assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom. They received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for their actions."
Although the decommissioning ceremony is not prescribed by naval regulations, it is tradition, and everyone said it needed to take place to say goodbye and to welcome the new command.
"This has been an incredible tour, and I have enjoyed every minute of it," said Capt. Garry R. White. "The one consolation I have is that I am comfortable in knowing that the ship will be in exceptional hands under the stellar leadership of Capt. (Edward J.) Nanartowich and his team from the Military Sealift Command. Thanks for your total professionalism during the turnover process.
"This ship has experienced successes beyond my wildest dreams, and for that I owe a great debt of gratitude to a lot of people. So starting with this ceremony today, I want to thank everyone on team Arctic and those who supported them for the tremendous effort you put forth in preparation," said White.
The ship’s last deployment was the best, said White, and that was because of the crew.
"No matter what the task was, no matter how great the challenge, you exceeded every expectation that was placed upon you," said White. "Every single request was met, every challenge overcome, and every opportunity taken. You accepted new missions, in many cases missions that no ship had ever done before, all the while impeccably fulfilling your primary responsibility of logistics support. You have worked tirelessly in the defense of your country and you can be justifiably proud of your accomplishments. I thank you, I salute you, and I applaud you."
Although there is not a lot of U.S. Navy presence in the area, as there would be in Virginia, White said that he could not have asked for greater support from the other officers and the surrounding communities.
"Whether we were here at our home port, or away in Philadelphia, you always made us and our families feel welcome," he said.
Before the transfer was completed, Commodore Robert C. Jackson, who is in charge of the fleet of ships from Norfolk to Earle, said although the Arctic was being decommissioned, it did not mean that the Navy no longer needs the AOEs.
"Whether on station in the North Arabian Sea or conducting operations off the east coast of the United States, the AOE quietly goes about its business day in and day out without much fanfare," said Jackson. "The AOE is on station every day getting the job done. The AOE provides the fuel that propels our ships and aircraft, the food to feed the fleet, the ordnance to strike at our enemies, and the spare parts to make repairs to vital machinery."
Last July the USS Supply was also decommissioned and turned over to Sealift Command. Two other ships use Earle as their home port. The USNS Mount Baker and the USS Detroit will be decommissioned within the next four to five years.
"Giving up a ship to another command, or putting a ship out of service entirely is a difficult job for the incumbent ship’s complement," said the new captain of the Arctic, Edward J. Nanartowich.
"On Jan. 7, I and four of my crew reported aboard the USS Arctic to get an early look at the condition and the layout of the ship. We did not find what we expected to find on a ship that is about to be decommissioned."
Nanartowich said he found a courteous and energetic crew who just wanted to offer its help, answer questions and demonstrate equipment.
He said that the entire crew is made up of extremely professional sailors who take great pride in their ship and their jobs, and a crew that made him proud of the Navy.
"Assembled here today are the remnants of the USS Arctic crew. When you look at them, you are looking at the best group of professionals in he Navy. I want to thank Capt. White and the officers and crew for their truly outstanding effort in keeping the Arctic in Bristol fashion. It was an honor to speak alongside you," he said.
As soon as the ceremony ended, the officers, crew and assembled guests were invited inside the mammoth ship to celebrate.
Former crew members rejoiced and reminisced.
"This was just the best experience. I got to work with a lot of great people, and I will never forget this," said EN2 Elianne Edwards, 28, of Manhattan, N.Y. "I am going to work on the Detroit, and I am a little nervous about that, but I am very excited."
Edwards has been in the Navy for 10 years and said she would like to make it her career.
"The work is very rewarding. I love this so much. It will be different going to a new ship, but it’s something that has to be done," she said.
"This was my first ship and it has been just such a great experience," said IT3 Adrian Christian, 25, from Chicago. "I will be one of the people who will be staying on the ship working on the computers. Although it will be different, I wanted to stay here. It was such a positive experience for me that I just had to stay."
"In the transfer from Navy to civilian, we don’t miss a beat operationally," said Capt. Terry Rycenga of the Supply.
"The functions and the service will remain the same, there will just be a different crew. It is hard work to get it started, but it is worth it in the end. It may seem overwhelming for some of the people now, but it’s not that bad. It was a good experience for me, and I know that it will be for them, too."
The 550 Navy crew members who had been assigned to the ship will be reassigned. The day of the transfer, 59 Navy crew members were going to stay on board.
In two months, the crew will be increased to 176 people. In six months, the ship will fully manned and be ready to go.