I am currently a teacher in Lake County, Florida. I live in Clermont, FL (about 20 miles West of Olrlando).
Other Comments:
After retirement in 2002, I moved to Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. My wife, son, and I moved there to be close to my wife's family in Halifax.
While in Canada, I worked for IMP Aerospace as a Project Manager and Product Support Manager of the Sea King department. I was liaison between the company and the Canadian Department of National Defense. We lived in Canada till I got tired of the cold and paying high taxes. We then moved to Florida in Sep 2006.
Here in Florida, I first worked at Walt Disney World as a Security Host (for almost a year), then started teaching school in Aug 2007.
Although I miss the camaraderie of the navy, I wouldn't give up such a rewarding job as teaching the youth of America.
Hull number LPD-4 - Potestas Maritimas per Mobilitate, "Seapower through Mobility" Austin Class Amphibious Transport Dock:
Laid down, 4 February 1963, at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Launched, 26 June 1964
Commissioned USS Austin (LPD-4), 6 February 1965, CAPT. William H. Shaw in command
Austin was the lead ship of her class and varies from the rest in that she has no hanger. The Austin class LPDs are based on the design of the earlier Raleigh class LPDs
While in commission USS Austin was assigned to COMPHIBGRU2, COMNAVSURFLANT, homeported at NAB Little Creek, VA.
Decommissioning date, 1000, 27 September 2006, at Pier 1 Naval Station Norfolk, VA.
Struck from the Naval Register, 27 September 2006
Final Disposition, scrapping contract awarded, 22 May 2009, to International Shipbreaking, Ltd, Brownsville TX.
Specifications: Displacement 9,734 t.(lt), 17,326 t.(fl) Length 570' Beam 84' Draft 23 ft. Speed 21 kts. Complement
24 Officers
396 Enlisted Troop Accommodations 900 Flag Staff Accommodations 90 Boats Assault Craft, (well deck capacity) 1 LCU, or 2 LCM-8 or 4 LCM-6, (ships boats) 2 LCPL, 1 motor whaleboat Armament
two 25mm MK38 chain guns
two Phalanx CIWS
eight 50 cal. machine guns. Aircraft up to six CH-46/CH-53 or four UH-1/AH-1, or two AV-8B Harriers Propulsion
two Foster-Wheeler boilers
two DeLaval steam turbines
two propellers, 24,000 Shaft Horsepower
