MISSION MEDITERRANEAN

e [Music] [Applause] this is the Mediterranean Sea named in ages past the center of the earth this sea has always served as a Lifeline of Commerce connecting southern Europe Africa the Middle East and the Far East from the ancient peoples along the mediterran Ian Shores came the first seeds of Free World Civilization here were cultivated the flowers of democracy here the roots of eastern and western civilization were nurtured from the Mediterranean 5 centuries ago came Christopher Columbus to find a whole new world to the West in the year 182 ships of the United States Navy helped rid the Mediterranean of the ravages of the barbery Pirates ever since that time ships and Men of the US Navy have sailed here to help protect this vital sea is the primary mission of the sixth Fleet always on the move the fleet carries with it a unique capability it can respond effectively to any measure of force from a limited engagement to a full scale War the sixth Fleet is normally under the operational control of the commanderin-chief United States Naval forces Europe the fleet operates together with the US Army and Air Force and with many allies and friendly countries the fleet is a vital Link in the NATO alliance if assigned to Nato the fleet would respond to the commander-in-chief of the Southern European command as the ships roam across the Mediterranean early warning aircraft are launched from carrier decks to patrol far away from the fleet their Radars will scan distant Horizons in search of hostile ships and [Applause] aircraft far at Sea the fighting ships of the sixth Fleet rendevu with Supply ships from the United States [Music] these service ships form a bridge to make the fleet completely independent of shore bases or fixed supply routes the six fleet has long legs the sailors say service ships including Oilers cargo ammunition and refrigerator ships make the fleet's long stride possible and The Versatile helicopter is also used to keep the ship supplied at Sea today this area of the world is peaceful but let us suppose it was not let us suppose that now at this moment hostilities begin and a friendly government calls for help at the direction of the president of the United States the fleet with its versatile Mobility swings into action bringing its Mighty power to the exact points of need commanders quickly go over the latest intelligence estimates and review their battle plans now it is time to make a first move photo reconnaissance planes are launched to gather information over over the contested area Sweeping in over the beach the planes fly to the interior to pinpoint targets Supply Depots troop concentrations and enemy defenses [Music] then the planes return to the carrier with this vital tactical information [Music] a photo record of the ground flown over reveals the situation within minutes after the plan's return Rockets are moved to waiting aircraft extra fuel tanks are prepared bombs are brought up and more Rockets [Applause] aircraft are armed quickly Pilots are briefed on strike missions with up tothe minute information f4b Phantoms all weather Fighters will fly a protective umbrella over the fleet searching out both low and high flying intruders [Music] Pilots hurry to their waiting [Music] aircraft up here the air boss gives orders for launching the [Music] aircraft where that La aircraft head that aircraft he [Music] [Music] these aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear or Conventional Weapons some fly Inland to strike at the heart of the enemy others will strike at the beaches to soften up defenses where the Marines will land [Music] as the fleet moves The Radars of the early warning planes and surface ships are on the alert for an attack [Music] the long range scanar radar computers on the carrier indicate that the enemy is approaching simultaneously far-flung picket destroyers and submarines are listening [Music] searching the information is fed into a command Intelligence Center for coordination here information is devoured by computers of the naval tactical data system where it is analyzed and displayed ntds automatically recommends action to the fleet commanders to counteract enemy threats quickly appropriate action is taken to overcome enemy movements 7 by directing fighters to intercept raiding [Music] [Applause] aircraft by modern supersonic missiles from the surface [Applause] ships and by new sophisticated anti-submarine weapons of fantastic performance [Applause] [Music] aboard another ship in the fleet attacking enemy aircraft are met with an appropriate response [Music] stand by to mark bogy [Music] for Mark 4 boy 4 353 70 [Music] miles stand by to Mar boogy 3 Mark boogy [Music] 3 minute weapon control combat recommend B 3 primary [Music] threat 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 [Music] Z the amphibious force with its reinforced Battalion now prepares to move in toward the beach while M sweepers clear a path for amphibious ships to follow Navy frogmen leave their high-speed boats to survey enemy defenses and to destroy obstructions on the [Music] beach carefully planted charges clear a path for the landing craft to come the Frog men are retrieved with their mission completed [Music] and now the Marines begin their move toward the [Music] beach they are combat ready fighting fit and well prepared to handle any [Applause] situation landing craft will carry the Marines to their objective Cruisers and destroyers move in close to add their Firepower to crush the enemy in his fortifications [Music] [Music] the heavy Naval gunfire will stop as the first wave of Marines hit the beaches [Music] [Music] [Music] close support planes take over to pinpoint enemy resistance [Music] the Marines follow up pushing the beach head deeper more men and Equipment come in by air in a vertical envelopment maneuver fresh troops reinforce the expanding Battlefield now now heavier equipment follows the troops tanks onos guns and high-speed track armored vehicles press home the advantage gained by the Marine infantrymen [Music] [Music] another wave of Marines storm the beaches they'll keep coming until the battle is won they'll blow them out or burn them out the ships at Sea work hard to support The Landings planes are landed refueled rearmed to be launched back into the battle [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] long into the night and into Stormy Weather the launching and landing of aircraft goes on [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] in the Steam and smoke and screaming noise of the carrier the men on the deck fight another kind of battle equally important and whether peace or War they fight it well [Applause] [Applause] a [Applause] [Music] [Music] the [Music] [Music] [Music] w [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] these men too will not be stopped until the battle is won and the battle knows no time of day and then at last it is done the sixth Fleet and the Free World have won and for a brief moment the men can pause pause relax and rest until they are needed again the fleet will continue to Rome exerting its full power wherever called for at any time in any place it is needed this is the fleet's mission in the Mediterranean [Music] on a friendly Mission ships of the fleet visit more than 100 ports of Cor in countries throughout the Mediterranean on a peaceful errand the men and officers of the sixth Fleet go ashore to meet and be known by the many peoples of these lands lands whose Liberty and way of life they are pledged to defend [Music] here indeed is a power for peace with many acts of friendliness the bond of understanding grows [Music] stronger this Bond forged between men of Goodwill has grown to bind Nations closer together Americans from the sixth Fleet have come from every part of the United States from the farms and ranches the small towns and large cities and suburbs they will stay but a few short months then they will be replaced by other Americans as they return to the United States they will remember the people they have met and the importance of the Mediterranean wives and families have waited patiently for months for this reunion [Music] as some return to their homes and families others turn again to their NeverEnding duty at Sea the constant vigil kept by the men and ships of the sixth Fleet is a power for peace dedicated to preserve the rights of all free men these men and many others will help to guarantee the peace in the Mediterranean Sea and in a good measure the Peace of our community of free men [Music] a a [Music]