laststandonzombieisland

The venerable USCGC Dallas is decommissioned and is being turned over to the Philippines Navy, who also operates the Dallas’s sistership, the ex-USCGC Hamilton. No doubt she may very soon be on the end of a shooting war with Chinese pirates, smugglers, and possibly PLAN naval vessels.

Originally commissioned in 1967 at Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans, La., Coast Guard Dallas is the sixth cutter to bear the name of Alexander J. Dallas, the Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison. Dallas had a long and varied career in the Coast Guard and was the cutting edge of  technology when she came out of the builders works. After nearly 45 years of service to the nation, Coast Guard Cutter Dallas is being decommissioned. From performing naval gunfire support missions off Vietnam to being the command ship during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, Dallas has truly seen it all. As Dallas is decommissioned, a new fleet of national security cutters are coming on the line to protect and serve our nation. They stand at the ready to perform homeland security missions at sea, just as Dallas did for decades. The Coast Guard paid $16-million for her in the Johnson Administration and it looks like they got their monies worth.

Specs:
Builder:     Avondale Shipyards
Commissioned:     11 March 1968
Decommissioned:     30 March 2012
Homeport:     Charleston, South Carolina
Motto:     Semper Nostra Optima
(Always Our Best)
Status:     Awaiting Transfer to the Philippine Navy on May 2012
Displacement:     3,250 tons
Length:     378 ft (115 m)
Beam:     43 ft (13 m)
Draft:     15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion:     Two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines
Speed:     29 knots (54 km/h)
Range:     14,000 mi (22,531 km)
Endurance:     45 days
Complement:     167 personnel
Sensors and
processing systems:     AN/SPS-40 air-search radar
Armament:     As built: 1x 5″/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12 gun (of the same type as on the Brooke (FFG-1), Garcia (FF-1040), Long Beach (CGN-9), Albany (CG-10) classes), 2 Mk67 20mm, x4 M2 .50cal MG. This suite used in extensive small boat actions and naval gunfire support in Vietnam. The 5″ gunw as rumored to be refurbished from an old Essex-class Aircraft carrier and had been used to shoot down kamakazies in WWII.

1992: 1 Mk75 76mm, x1 Mk15 Phalanx CIWS, 2 Mk38 25mm, 2 Mk64 grenade launchers, x8 RGM-84 Harpoon antiship missiles (deleted  1999), x6 (three triple) Mk36 tubes for ASW homing torpedoes (deleted 1995-1999).

Currently One OTO Melara MK-75 76mm gun, replacing the 5″ gun, Two MK-38 25mm Machine gun system, Two MK 36 SRBOC systems, One Phalanx CIWS missile defense gun, along with multiple mounted M2HB .50cal machine guns and M240 7.62mm machine guns.

The USCG PAO, LT Stephanie Young, with the help of Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley. has the history of the ship as told by its chief’s mess:

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2012/02/what-a-mess/
http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2012/02/what-a-mess-again/

Oct. 26, 1967

Greetings! To all whose eyes may fall upon these pages, we, the original Chief Petty Officers of Dallas, welcome you. Today at 1000 at the Naval Support Activity in New Orleans, La., we commissioned her and set sail for Baltimore, Md., by way of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Excitement runs high as we leave the dock and there’s a feeling of wonder throughout. What does the future hold? What ports will see Dallas? How many miles will pass under our keel before each of us is replaced? These answers, perhaps, will be found somewhere in this log. I think that I might add, without fear of contradiction, that we are all proud to be an original crewmember of Dallas!!

E.W. Brown, HMCPAV

July 4, 1968

This day started out with tragedy for Dallas! At approx. 0030 our commanding officer, Capt. Jay P. Dayton, was struck down with a heart attack and fell to his death. Captain Dayton had a long and distinguished career, having served 27 years active service in the U.S. Coast Guard. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, a daughter and a son. Farewell to a Shipmate!! Alas, life must go on and duty calls. Underway on 8 July 68 at 1800 for Ocean Station Delta.

E.W. Brown, HMCPAV

July 13, 1968

Another first for the “Mighty D.” We relieved the CGC Hamilton W-715, thus becoming the 378’ to relieve a 378’.
A photograph of the log entry about Coast Guard Cutter Dallas relieving Gallatin, the first time one 378 relieved another. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

A photograph of the log entry about Coast Guard Cutter Dallas relieving Hamilton, the first time one 378 relieved another. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

Sept, 30, 1976

Today will not be another first, but a last. After today our tradition of wearing the khaki uniform by the C.P.O.’s will not be authorized. Might mention that myself and Chief Newton are two diehards, due to the fact that we are wearing our khaki uniforms for the last time as a Coast Guard uniform. Very regretful for all future C.P.O.’s.

MKC E.M. Jones

March 21, 1977

Terminated ASWEX early due to SAR off Cape Hatteras. Aboard the M/T Claude Conway, seems someone decided to do hot work and the resulting explosion tore her in half and killed eleven people. Tis rather eerie to see a 712-foot vessel split in half and know you go to sea for a living.

YNC Keethy

March 25, 1977

Used the bow section of M/T Claude Conway for target practice most of the day and are almost out of 5” ammo. Hope we don’t go to war…

YNC Keethy

Sept. 17, 1977 (America’s Cup)

Another day of watching grass grow. Americans won again by a HUGE time factor. Wonder if Australians know how to sail at all.

YNC Keethy

Feb. 7, 1978

CGC Dallas (WHEC-716/ BLDG. -716), under cover of darkness and a snowstorm, was wretched free of a 3 month accumulation of coffee grounds and moved by tugs to the Bethlehem Steel Shipyards, Hoboken, N.J. It appears our “ship handlers” saw fit to pass the anchor chain around the bow a couple times. We’ll continue to add to this saga as it develops…

STC Hoye

Nov. 13, 1978

Played softball against the crew. Very tight game. Chiefs lost by a score of 20-3 in the 3rd inning. Crew and officers can beat us in softball, but the chiefs have been kicking butt in bowling!

BMC Carbino

Nov. 17, 1978

DCC is gear adrift.

Unsigned

April 17, 1979

VOLCANO ERUPTED at 1710! Ashes got on the ship, scared to death. We are off St. Vincent Island for an evacuation SAR case.

Illegible

June 3, 1979

At 1400 Dallas seized a 70’ shrimp boat loaded with pot. The word is this is the first bust Dallas has ever made. Our prize crew is aboard to sail it to Base San Juan, P.R. The name board (Foxy Lady) was hung over our stern with a chain. Will try to get a picture for this log.

ETC Carmona

March 29, 1980

1800 u/w en route Gitmo (maybe) via Norfolk and St. Croix, V.I. Rumor has it Gitmo might be cancelled due to the Energy Crisis. No fuel. Gas on the outside is $1.29 a gallon some places!

STC

April 25, 1980

We receive orders to proceed to the Fla. Straits to provide rescue and assistance as required to more than 10,000 refugees leaving the utopia that is the People’s Republic of Cuba.

BMC

April 29, 1980

Well, we’ve been here three days and it’s turning out to be a rather big affair. Dallas is On Scene Command. In company are Cutters Dauntless, Diligence, Dependable, Venturous, Ingham, 7 95’/82’s and a whole bunch of UTB’s out of Key West and Marathon.

June 7, 1980

Summary of “Cuban Exodus” 25 April to 6 June

1. After being diverted from Gitmo on liberty weekend to assist in the Cuban Mass Migration into the United States, the following statistics were compiled.

A. Total refugees entering the U.S. – over 110,000

B. Dallas stats
Ensign Jane Hamilton aboard Dallas during the Mariel Boatlift. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Ensign Jane Hamilton aboard Dallas during the Mariel Boatlift. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

1. refugees carried 443

2. tows 34 (total SARs 71)

3. medical assists 59

4. admirals aboard 6 COMDT, Vice COMDT, CCGD7, LANTAREA, CCGD7 Operations, COMPHIBGRU 2

5. reporters aboard 3 ABC, CBS TV with crew, Time Magazine

6. Helos landed 106

7. vertreps 8 (Air Stations worked: Brooklyn, Cape Cod, Cape May, Miami, Borinquin, Clearwater, Corpus Christi, Elizabeth City, Houston and Savannah)

8. Most tows at one time 6

9. Liberty drills 7 liberty calls 5

10. OSC Dallas, ships in company: Acushnet, Chilula, Cherokee, Courageous, Dauntless, Diligence, Dependable, Ingham, Vigorous, Venturous, Valiant, plus 6 95’s, 10 82’s, 10 Navy vessels and numerous small boats.

11. Medals won Humanitarian Service

NOTE! With over 110,000 people arriving in Key West, only 38 confirmed sinkings and 25 confirmed deaths

STC

July 7, 1980

All hands aboard during Cuban Exodus 25 April to 6 June are awarded CG Commendation.

STC

July 24, 1980

Visited by COMDT, DOT and CCGD7 again. Told us what a good job we were doing. He should have been here when we almost boarded a suspicious vessel at 3 a.m. It had a white hull with a red and blue racing stripe…

Unsigned

May 27 1985

Memorial Day – at 1530 Dallas goes DIW and we bury the dead. A retired chief MK gets his ashes buried at sea and the crew musters on the flight deck.

DCC

Aug. 24, 1985

Moored CG yard Baltimore, Md., for teletype installation.

DCC S.

Jan. 28 1986
A sad day in U.S. history! Just about the time we commenced a mission with the U.S. Navy the challenger Space shuttle exploded and burned one minute passed launch 18 – 20 miles off the coast of Cape Canaveral. We have been diverted and are enroute the area on turbines to commence SAR operations.

DCC

Jan. 31, 1986
Under way from Port Canaveral, Fl., back on patrol for search more areas for debris. Dallas has regularly been seen on the Good Morning America show. We picked up pieces of the Challenger wing, cockpit, and body. Also internal pieces – a piece of Flashy Christa McAuliffe’s boots, patches, flags, school supplies, and her daughter’s Kermit the Frog stuffed toy that she brought along.

DCC

Feb. 2, 1986
Chief’s Mess visited by astronaut William Shephard. He talked to us about the effort to discover the reason for the Challenger’s crash and thanked us for our efforts and work to that end.

RMC White

April 7, 1986
Arrived at Port Everglades Fl. Had HH65 Helo 6518 land on Dallas. First landing of this new type of Helo on Dallas. U/W in the afternoon and evening conducting day/night flight ops.

QMC R.D. Brown

Nov. 21, 1986
The Dallas is now decommissioned. At Bathe Iron Works they will strip her to the bone. She will be re-worked and given a new lease on life. As they take off the old and replace it with the new, one part of her will not be replaced. She will retain her soul. This ship, if she could talk, would elaborate on the text of this log. The past Chiefs encourage all who follow to help maintain this log. My tour on Dallas was short but great. Best wishes to all that sail on the NEW “Pride of the Fleet”.

George E. Rollings, DCC

Jan 10, 1990
Coast Guard Cutter Dallas sails in calm seas as the sun sets Feb. 7, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

Coast Guard Cutter Dallas sails in calm seas as the sun sets Feb. 7, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

After 5 hours of deliberation, a command decision was made to turn the ignition key and start this [expletive] war machine! Lines were successfully tossed and underway we went to good old Governor’s Island, NY. We still carry with us a great deal of confusion that was blessed to us by Bathe Iron Works. Some questions that were most commonly repeated:
1. Can we push these buttons?
2. Whose compartment does this belong to?
3. Has anyone seen the ETC?
4. Did Manny let his whole division off again?
5. Did you get a picture of that?
6. Do we need a refrigerator in the Mess?
7. Should we call RDC Boats or Mr.?
All watch is set, good to be underway again!

STC Dickson

Sept. 15, 1992
We are enroute to Earl Weapons Station to offload bullets, torpedoes, and buoys. These few days are the last time any torpedoes or buoys will aboard CGC Dallas. We are getting rid of them, along with the Sonar Technician rate.

STC M. A. Pleasant

Jun. 5, 1994
Today we are in Portsmouth, England and have the Commandant on board. As part of the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion, we paid tribute and rendered honor to the War Memorial on our way out of Portsmouth. Later that afternoon, we were part of a formation of ships from various countries. As the Britannica passed by us, we laid a wreath in memory of those on D-Day. Tonight the Commandant, Adm. Kramek, will have dessert with the chiefs.

EMCS Daniel Segarra

Aug. 10, 1995
We had our first accident on this patrol. The helicopter crashed after take off with three passengers on board. All survived the crash and were MEDVACed for further observation. We basically saw the helicopter spin in the air and then plunge about 40 feet. The Dallas turned and got the air crew. Right now (1910 hrs) the USNS Mohawk is on scene salvaging what is left of the Dolphin.

Unsigned

Feb. 4, 1996
We left Governor’s Island on 12 Jan, did an ammo offload at Earl, and sailed more or last directly to our new home port of Charleston, SC. That’s right, after all these years the plug is being pulled G.I. in an attempt by the Guard to save some money. Of all the schemes over the years, it seems like this one will actually work.

R. Oakley GMCS
A photo from the chief’s log of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Vince Patton’s visit aboard Coast Guard Cutter Dallas in 1993. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

A photo from the chiefs’ log of Master Chief Petty Officer Vince Patton aboard Coast Guard Cutter Dallas in 1993. Patton became the master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard in 1998. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

Feb. 8 2003
We depart Charleston, SC., for an estimated 6 month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Once again, the CGC Dallas is making history!! Note: “official orders” still pending signature from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

SKC Lisa Roberts

March 13, 2003
Our new mission: steam for the Eastern Mediterranean. While enroute, a cargo ship carrying four of our 110’s sailed past us heading for either the Eastern Med. or Persian Gulf.

SKC Lisa Roberts

March 20, 2003
We are at war! We woke this morning to the news that the U.S. has begun the attack on Iraq. The CGC Dallas is responsible for protecting 2 aircraft carriers, USS Truman and USS Roosevelt.

SKC Lisa Roberts

July 26, 2011
I assigned the E-7s on Dallas to write 32 lines about their experience on this patrol. The outcome above was written by E-7 Thomas. I find it to be honest, but he made a grave mistake by referring to me as MKCS vice MKCM. E-7 Driscoll was delinquent in his requirement to submit his experience on this patrol and will be dealt with accordingly.

MKCM