Kearsarge Visits New York for Fleet Week (LHD 3)

Navy NewsStand ^ | Journalist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman

[SandRat]

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (NNS) -- More than 1,000 Sailors and 600 Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) arrived in New York May 24 for Fleet Week 2006.

Kearsarge, along with seven other U.S. naval ships will visit Manhattan and Staten Island for the annual celebration from May 24-31.

“Fleet Week allows us to show the character of our Sailors and Marines and the quality of the Kearsarge’s, equipment, technology and capabilities,” said Capt. Joseph Sensi, Kearsarge’s commanding officer. “We thank New York for showing such appreciation and support for those of us who serve.”

During their visit, Kearsarge Sailors and Marines will participate in various community relation projects and parades. They will enjoy great tours and other festivities New York has to offer.

“I’m looking forward to shopping at various stores in New York, as well as visiting sites like Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class James Conerly of Kearsarge’s Automated Data Processing Division.

While some Sailors will enjoy shopping and taking tours, others will spend time meeting locals in the ‘Big Apple.'

“New Yorkers are very appreciative of their Sailors and I’m excited to meet some of them,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW) Marcus Spears of Kearsarge’s Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department. “I’m also looking forward to trying some real New York pizza and eating in some of the city’s most famous restaurants.”

During the transit from Verazano-Narrows Bridge to Manhattan, Kearsarge hosted more than 200 distinguished visitors from the U.S. Navy League, local business executives, and veterans.

Additionally, the starring cast of 20th Century Fox’s new movie, "X-Men III: The Last Stand", visited Kearsarge upon her arrival to New York. Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Kelsey Grammer toured the ship and graciously met Sailors and Marines while signing autographs and posing for pictures.

For related news, visit the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.

[SandRat]

New York Harbor (May 24, 2006) - Sailors spell out the message "I Love New York," on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), as the ship enters the New York Harbor during the parade of ships, Fleet New York Week 2006. Fleet Week has been sponsored by New York City since 1984 in celebration of the United States sea service. The annual event also provides an opportunity for citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet Sailors, and Marines, as well as witness first hand the latest capabilities of today's Navy and Marine Corps team. Fleet week includes dozens of military demonstrations and displays, including public tours of many of the participating ships.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Aaron Glover (RELEASED)

PHOTO ALBUM

[SandRat]

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) PING

[1rudeboy]

Here is a link to the FR Fleet Week NY thread, with locations of all the vessels and tour information.

[Migraine]

That's the venerable old ship that was on hand to fish Alan Sheppard out of the drink on that first sub-orbital flight.

[Spruce]

I have searched and see that the moniker Kearsarge is very old.
What is the origin? Is Kearsarge a person, place, or thing?

[navyblue]

That's the venerable old ship that was on hand to fish Alan Sheppard out of the drink on that first sub-orbital flight.

Not that one Migraine, but another ship of the same name. It was the Kearsarge, CVA-33 (a carrier) that picked him up. I had the pleasure of serving on the "Mighty K"! I think this is the fifth ship of the U.S. Navy to carry that name.

[Migraine]

Thanks -- and to answer sandrat, I find that Kearsarges were all named for a mountain in New Hampshire.

[SandRat]

USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) is the fourth ship in the history of the U.S. Navy named for Kearsarge Mountain in New Hampshire. Previous ships named KEARSARGE include a Civil War-era sloop of war famous for defeating CSS ALABAMA; a turn-of-the-century battleship that sailed as part of President Theodore Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet;" and an aircraft carrier, known internationally for its part in the Project Mercury space program. KEARSARGE is only one of two United States ship names mandated by Congress to be used more than once.

http://www.kearsarge.navy.mil/History.htm

[navyblue]

What is the origin? Is Kearsarge a person, place, or thing?

When I was on the Kearsarge, (the carrier) there was an area where they had ship models in a glass case of the 3 (I think) ships that had carried the Kearsarge name. I don't recall the origin of the others but the carriers at that time (postWW II) were all named after famous battles. For example in task force seventyseven, we had with us the Yorktown, Antietem, and the Oriskany. The next class of carriers had names like the Coral Sea, Phillipne Sea and the Midway. Don't know exactly when they stopped naming them after battles.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Physicist]

KEARSARGE is only one of two United States ship names mandated by Congress to be used more than once.

What's the other?

[Physicist]

(Let me hazard a guess as to my own question: Bonhomme Richard?)

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I'd guess it's Enterprise.

[navyblue]

(Let me hazard a guess as to my own question: Bonhomme Richard?)

And I'm guessing you'd be right. Since that one has a special significance. It was John Paul Jones ship.