For the PTF's and PCF's,we would go out into the
Gulf of Mexico to an area on the charts designated
as a "bombing range". Safety for the crews and
civilians in the area was PRIORITY. We would get
clearance ahead of time from the U.S. Coast Guard
which would then make report to mariners in the
area. We would always have "spotter" boats to ensure
that no commercial or civilian craft would venture
into our shooting area. We didn't have problems with
bigger craft, but from time to time, a fisherman
would "wander over to us" just to try to see what
was going on. This was particularly curious to them
at first as no one had ever seen any green or gray
U.S. Navy vessels before, thinking at first we must
be army or some secret branch of the CIA. We would
do our firing runs with a lead boat, then cover
boat. Only problem we ever had was when shooting the
MK-19's, the boat was rocking and rolling a little
and the person on the MK-19 let off a grenade on the
"down" roll, causing the grenade to explode too
close to the boat and one person got a very small
"bee sting" from shrapnel to his left leg, didn't
even bleed. Unfortunately for the PBR's and Mini's
only firing done from them was blanks. Every October
the entire unit would go to Camp Shelby Miss,
Hattisburg, Mississippi for live firing of .38's,
m-16's, mk-19's, m-79's, m-60, 81mm mortar, and .50
cals, and shotguns. We would ride Navy buses from
New Orleans to Hattisburg (about 80 miles north or
so) on a Friday night, arriving just in time to hit
the racks and head out to various firing ranges on
Saturday morning for all day shoots and sometimes
did night firings on the ranges to show troops
difference between daytime firing and nighttime
firing. I have lots more stories to send you and
hope you can use them and don't get bored from my
"sea stories". I absolutely loved the unit, the
boats, the troops, the SEALS, and everything about
the SBU's. We all did, active USN and SELRES
personnel.
Here's one story that you may want to post, as it
will show the LOVE and PASSION for the boats in Boat
Units.
I can't remember the year, but there was talk
about de-commissioning, then Coastal River Division
22 by the military brass. We were asked to contact
our Washington,D.C. reps and apply pressure to keep
us. Anyway, the local U.S.Coast Guard Reserves had
heard about this, and one Friday night at drill,
came to our unit and made a sales pitch that "with
so many boat handling people" there would be a place
for them in the Coast Guards. We listened, asked
questions. With me already being a GMG1 and having
my own boat, the Coast Guard said that "only coxains
and BM's manned their boats" and "GMG's would be
port security (this was in late 1970's) and no
boats". Needless to say this did not sit well with
me or the other Gunner's. I won't mention their
names, but 2 of our enlisted personnel (RM2e and
OS1) had college degrees and Coast Guard said they
would make them instant Ensigns if they would
transfer to them. Here's the clincher, NOT A ONE
PERSON, EVEN COLLEGE GRADS, MADE THE MOVE FROM
CRD-22 TO THE COAST GUARD. Coast Guard could not
believe that 2 enlisted men, would forgo instant
Ensign-ship to remain with CRD22. Unit got its
reprieve, and became SBU-22 and the rest is history.
Hope you enjoyed this little bit of unit history.
Jim T
Another story from CRD22 days when
Cdr. Foster was our CO: We were at Eglin AirBase in
Florida for a big, multi military branch war games.
Involved every branch, including Army Rangers, Navy
Seals, Marine Recons, etc. As you know, the Boat
Captain is responsible for the boat, crew, and
completion of the mission, right?
Perhaps after you post this Cdr.
Foster will reply and support this story. We had a
SELERES EN-2 that was a very good and fully quaified
boat captain of a Mini-ATC. He was tasked with
taking a small squad of Army types to an insertion
point via the ATC. The Army officer, a 2nd Lt. or
Captain demanded to be inserted at a certain spot on
the riverbank. The Boat Captain told him that the
water had too many stumps there and he would beach
the craft for insertion approximately 50 yds.
further downstream. The Army officer got huffy and
"ordered" the Boat Captain to insert where he told
him to. The Boat Captain politely refused and was
told by the Army officer "I will report you to your
C.O. when we return". Boat Captain said very well
and proceeded to the alternate insertion point.
Well, later the Army officer did indeed report the
Boat Captain to Cdr. Foster, who more or less
replied "The boat captain is responsible for the
craft, crew, and mission. He did exactly what he is
trained to do. End of discussion." Prior to this,
the boat captain had told the Patrol Officer the
events, who told it to Cdr. Foster.
Needless to say, this E-5 Boat
Captain stood his ground and kept his boat and crew
safe. He was a local hero in our unit for sticking
to his guns.
Jim Truehart GMGC-USNR-Retired |
