USS BOXER DEPLOYS FOR IRAQ

KFMB -TV ^ | 1/14/04 | Unknown

[bkwells]

(01-14-2004) - The amphibious helicopter carrier USS Boxer sails from San Diego Wednesday morning filled with Marine choppers and tons of supplies being sent to support a force rotation in Iraq.

The Pentagon is in the process of pulling about 120,000 personnel involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom out of the Persian Gulf region and replacing them with a more mobile force.

As part of the force rotation, the Boxer is moving equipment and personnel from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Camp Pendleton and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The majority of Marines deploying from Camp Pendleton will depart by air in the spring.

The Boxer, with more than 200 Marines and 900 sailors embarked, will carry 16 CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, two CH-46D Sea Knight helicopters from Combat Support Squadron 11 at Naval Air Station North Island. Three air-cushioned landing craft will also be transported by the ship.

The Boxer is making the trip barely six months after returning from the northern Persian Gulf, where the ship was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the deployment, sailors aboard the Boxer were involved in the night rescue of former POW Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, according to the Navy. The ship's intelligence specialists provided satellite imagery of the hospital and surrounding areas to Marine pilots who staged the rescue mission from the Boxer.

The ship is expected to return to San Diego in late April.

[JMK]

I thought it might have been named for the Marine action during the Boxer Rebellion in China, but apparently not.

From http://www.boxer.navy.mil/

Boxer's Heritage:
Ships of the Wasp Class multipurpose amphibious assault ship program are named for famous U.S. Navy warships. In naming LHD 4 "BOXER," the Navy honors five previous ships with this illustrious name. The first USS BOXER was a 14-gun brig, commissioned in 1815; the second was a 10-gun schooner commissioned in 1832; the third was an English-built side-wheel steamer captured as a blockade runner during the Civil War; and the fourth was a training brigantine commissioned in 1905. The fifth BOXER was an aircraft carrier (CV/CVA/CVS 21, LPH 4), commissioned in April 1945, too late for World War II duty. However, the ship earned eight battle stars for gallant service off Korea. In 1957, the "Busy Bee" recorded its 79,000th arrested aircraft landing - then a record for active carriers in the Pacific Fleet. The ship was converted to an amphibious assault ship (LPH) in 1958, and was decommissioned in 1969.

[Rightone]

But, I after reading your post, I see I am wrong! Sorry... :) :)

[bkwells]

That's just the ignorant press... The Navy classifies LHA's/LHD's as "Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assualt Ships"

[NorCoGOP]

As large as the ship is, it is hard to imagine what it would be like to be couped up on it for several months.

Ha. Try a destroyer. Or even better, a frigate.

Now that is being cooped up!

[blam]

I wonder if this 'force-rotation' is a cover for something else?

[bkwells]

Ha. Try a destroyer. Or even better, a frigate. Now that is being cooped up!

Or how about a submarine? I did 2 weeks on one of the LA class Attack subs and that was plenty! I couldn't imagine 6 months!

[TommyDale]

"The service did not name that ship after THAT WOMAN? Did they??"

No, that would have created a ship called 'USS Bitch'.

[Imal]

Turn to, mates. Bring her back in one piece.

[cabbieguy]

I was aboard the USS Boxer in 1961, I was with HMR263(helicopter squadron) on cruise in the caribbean. For some reason(and if I am wrong please correct me) I came to believe that the USS Boxer had been turned over to the Marine Corps and was the only ship actually to be under direct control of the USMC. It was a great experience and brings back memories of better times. God speed to all aboard and prayers for there safe return.

[Soaring Feather]

God Bless ya, bkwells!

May the mighty wings of heaven's angels go with our Troops.

Thank you so much for the ping!!

[Cuttnhorse]

Ha. Try a destroyer. Or even better, a frigate.

Ahh, the TIN CAN Navy, sea-going Greyhounds...what fun it was...US Ault, DD-698, QM 2, 1968.

[Preech1]

I did a week on the Connole before she was decommissioned (FF 1056) THAT was a tin can...

[Vigilanteman]

Hey, I wouldn't mind if the U.S. Navy sent Barbara Boxer to Iraq . . . as long as she didn't come back.

[need_a_screen_name]

Hey, can't we get a picture of the ship posted??

[mcgiver38]

It has not been turned over to the Marines, the Marines deploy on it but is run and owned by the Navy.

[mlmr]

Hell no....

Thank goodness!!

[mcgiver38]

[need_a_screen_name]

Thanks! Was just about to start Googling for one.

[mcgiver38]

Hey, No sweat! there are many including high Res at
Boxer.navy.mil
I just left the ship in May this year.

[Severa]

It ain't fun...just ask my husband...when he gets home in a few months... *L*

This is our second deployment so I'm not NEARLY as freaked out about the lack of email like I was the first time around...