USS Richmond K. Turner Ship History and Operations

The USS Richmond K. Turner was a Essex-class aircraft carrier that served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1969. It was named after Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, a prominent naval officer.

The ship was commissioned on January 31, 1945, and was one of the last Essex-class carriers built during World War II. It was constructed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia.

The USS Richmond K. Turner had a long and varied career, serving in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets during the Cold War era.

The USS Richmond K. Turner had a significant role as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) school ship in southern California operating areas.

In February, the ship hosted a SecNav guest cruise, which is a special event for high-ranking naval officials.

In March 1970, the ship underwent an extensive update of its shipboard missile systems at the Naval Station San Diego, preparing it for its fourth WestPac deployment, which began in January 1970.

A notable event occurred in 1993 when a petty officer on board, Joseph Gardner, was involved in a serious crime that led to a nationwide manhunt.

The USS Richmond K. Turner underwent a major refit in 1966-1967, which extended its service life for several years.

The ship was converted from a cargo ship to a general-purpose amphibious assault ship, capable of carrying troops, tanks, and other vehicles.

During this refit, the Turner's cargo capacity was significantly reduced, but its ability to launch and recover landing craft was greatly improved.

The Richmond K. Turner's initial operations began on a warm summer day in Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on August 10, 1964.

The ship departed Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on August 10, 1964, and headed towards her homeport of San Diego, California.

She made brief stops at Yorktown and Norfolk, Virginia, and then Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, before crossing through the Panama Canal.

A port call in Acapulco, Mexico, was also made before arriving in San Diego on September 11, 1964.

The Richmond K. Turner's first deployment to the Western Pacific took place on June 4, 1965, from San Diego.

She joined Task Force 77 in the South China Sea area and served as a missile support ship for the aircraft carriers Coral Sea, Independence, and Oriskany.

The refit process is a critical component of a ship's operations, allowing it to stay seaworthy and efficient.

A refit can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the scope of the work.

One of the key aspects of a refit is the replacement of worn-out or damaged equipment, such as propellers and rudders.

The refit process also involves thorough inspections and maintenance of the ship's hull, ensuring it remains watertight and structurally sound.

Typically, a refit involves a team of skilled workers, including shipwrights, engineers, and electricians.

Regular refits are essential to prevent costly repairs down the line, with some ship owners opting for annual or bi-annual refits.

The USS Richmond K. Turner was a guided missile cruiser of the Leahy class, which means it was designed to carry missiles as part of its armament.

This class of ship was quite impressive, with a displacement of 5,600 tons and a length of 533 feet. The USS Richmond K. Turner was built at the New York Shipbuilding yard in Camden, New Jersey, and was commissioned on June 13, 1964.

Here are some key specifications of the USS Richmond K. Turner:

The U.S.S. RICHMOND K. TURNER was built at the New York Shipbuilding yard in Camden, New Jersey.

Commissioned on June 13, 1964, the ship initially served as a guided missile destroyer leader, DLG-20.

The U.S.S. RICHMOND K. TURNER underwent an extensive overhaul in Bath, Maine from 1971 to 1972.

After overhaul, the ship assumed duty in the Atlantic and sailed on various deployments, including Caribbean, North and South Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean missions.

The U.S.S. RICHMOND K. TURNER served its country for an impressive 30 years and 10 months before being decommissioned on April 13, 1995.

The USS Richmond K Turner CG-20 is a guided missile cruiser that's a part of the Leahy Class. It was commissioned on June 13, 1964.

This ship is quite large, with a displacement of 5,600 tons. That's massive!

The USS Richmond K Turner CG-20 measures 533 feet in length, which is roughly the same length as a standard American football field. Its beam, or width, is 53.6 feet.

The ship has a draft of 25.3 feet, which is the distance between the waterline and the lowest point of the hull. This affects how easily the ship can navigate shallow waters.

The USS Richmond K Turner CG-20 can move at a speed of 34 knots, which is approximately 39 miles per hour. That's fast!

Here's a quick rundown of the ship's specifications:

The USS Richmond K Turner CG-20 has a crew of 377, which is a significant number.

The USS Richmond K. Turner was a technological marvel of naval warfare, featuring advanced construction and cutting-edge technology during its active service period. Constructed from high-strength steel, the hull was designed to endure harsh sea conditions with remarkable resilience.

Measuring approximately 547 feet in length and displacing 8,200 tons when fully loaded, the ship was intended to accommodate a crew of over 400 personnel. The superstructure housed essential radar and communication systems, facilitating the effective management of naval operations.

The ship's layout was meticulously designed to enhance combat effectiveness and crew functionality, incorporating designated areas for command operations, control mechanisms, and living quarters. In terms of technological capabilities, the USS Richmond K. Turner was equipped with state-of-the-art systems that were at the forefront of advancements when commissioned in the 1960s.

The USS Richmond K. Turner was heavily equipped to fulfill its role as a guided missile cruiser, featuring the RIM-2 Terrier surface-to-air missile system, the RGM-84 Harpoon missile system, and the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). For close-range defense, it also had two 5-inch/54 caliber Mark 42 guns.

The ship's SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite allowed it to identify, disrupt, and mislead enemy radar and communication systems, thereby reducing the risk of enemy attacks. Additionally, the vessel was equipped with chaff and flare dispensers to generate decoys and disorient incoming missiles.

The USS Richmond K. Turner underwent significant enhancements to ensure its continued effectiveness within the U.S. Navy through the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program in the mid-1980s. This upgrade included the integration of the Aegis Combat System, which substantially enhanced the vessel's radar and missile capabilities.

The USS Richmond K. Turner's mission capabilities were diverse and robust, reflecting the operational requirements during its active service period. It provided protection for carrier battle groups against enemy aircraft and missiles, and its role expanded to include surface and anti-submarine warfare tasks with the incorporation of the Aegis system.

The vessel was equipped with Harpoon ship missiles and ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) systems, making it a versatile asset capable of addressing various threats. Its radar and sonar systems allowed the ship to monitor enemy submarines and surface vessels, providing crucial intelligence and support to the fleet.

The USS Richmond K. Turner's crew was made up of 1,098 officers and enlisted personnel. They were tasked with operating the ship's complex systems, including the 8 x 5-inch/38 caliber guns and 4 x 21-inch torpedo tubes.

The ship's safety record was impressive, with only a few minor incidents reported during its service. The crew took pride in their work and maintained a high level of vigilance to prevent accidents.

The USS Richmond K. Turner's crew was a well-trained and experienced team, with many having served on other ships in the Navy.

Crew Member Time Aboard Reports are a crucial part of ensuring a safe and efficient voyage.

These reports help identify potential safety risks and areas for improvement.

A crew member's time aboard report typically includes their arrival and departure times, as well as any notable events or incidents that occurred during their time on board.

According to the Ship's Safety Manual, these reports should be submitted to the Chief Officer within 24 hours of the crew member's departure.

Regular review of these reports helps to identify patterns or trends that may indicate a safety risk.

For example, if multiple crew members report seeing a particular piece of equipment in disrepair, it may indicate a need for maintenance or repair.

By keeping track of crew member time aboard reports, the crew can stay on top of safety issues and prevent accidents from happening.

This is a critical aspect of ensuring a safe and successful voyage.

The USS Richmond K. Turner was a Leahy-class cruiser destroyer that served in the U.S. Navy for 31 years. It was laid down on January 9, 1961, and launched on April 6, 1963.

The ship had a complement of 445 people on board and its main missions took it to various locations including San Diego, Pearl Harbor, and Yokosuka.

The USS Richmond K. Turner was decommissioned on March 31, 1995, and struck from the Navy List the same day.