San Diego assault ship Tarawa leaves today for Mideast

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 1/6/03 | Unknown

[bkwells]

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego-based Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group will leave today on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, carrying a 2,200-member Marine Corps unit from Camp Pendleton.

Although the group's departure coincides with a buildup of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf in possible preparation for a war with Iraq, Lt. Charlie Brown, a Navy spokesman, called it a regularly scheduled "routine deployment."

Besides the USS Tarawa, an amphibious assault ship that looks like a small aircraft carrier and is used to land troops onto hostile shores, the group includes the USS Duluth, an amphibious transport dock, and the USS Rushmore, a dock landing ship. On board the ships will be more than 4,000 sailors and Marines, including the Camp Pendleton-based 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

"They're routinely deployed, sometimes with carrier battle groups and sometimes separately, as in this case," Brown said.

Tarawa's leaders pronounce themselves 'ready to go' Cable-DSL / 56k The FREE RealPlayer plug-in is necessary to play RealMedia. Related stories Ship celebrates family as storm clouds gather Marines well-suited for battle?

He would not say what the ships' role might be should the United States invade Iraq in the coming weeks.

"The president has asked us to be ready, and we're ready," Brown said. "The Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group is certainly going to serve as another one of our assets overseas, as they would on any deployment – one of the options available."

Brown offered no details on the ships' activities during the deployment, saying they would "perform whatever tasks are (deemed) necessary by the operational commanders there."

[ewing]

May the wind be at your back and com home safe.

[Mariner]

Smoothe sailin' pard.

I served in the radio shack of the Tarawa in the early 80s.

[Maigrey]

Thank you and Godspeed.

[El Gato]

Bring/send us some pictures of downtown Baghdad! Or at least what's left of it. OTOH, you might have to make that pictures of the harbors at Wonsan and/or Namp'o and/or beautiful downtown P'yongyang.

[rmlew]

Good hunting and keep safe.

[yellowroses]

Thank you bkwells, for your service and honor. My husband and I are Vets. Been there and done that. You and yours will be in our daily prayers as you undertake this task. May Heavenly Father lead, protect and guide you and all aboard.

"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you - there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time. Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful." D&C 17:9-11

[NormsRevenge]

hmmm..I'm not sure about "Gator Freighter" either. I'll see if I can find out for sure. I was in the the 1st MAW MAG-36 based in Futenma, Okinawa and MAG-29 in Jacksonville, NC. The only ships I have ever been on were a Navy supply ship in Subic Bay and about a dozen cruise ships.

Same here re: GodSpeed to Our troops as they go in harm's way.

Semper Fi

[Ramius]

No, the Tarawa wouldn't be called a 'gator freighter'. That refers to a type of ship that opens up at the bow to allow vehicles to roll down ramps onto the beach. LST's mostly, (for Landing Ship - Tank) I believe.

Tarawa is an LHA. (Helicopter Assault ship... or something to that effect). Sortof a mini carrier for Helo's.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

President Bush September 20, 2001

"I have a message for our military: Be ready. I've called the Armed Forces to alert, and there is a reason. The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud. "


godspeed

[NormsRevenge]

Yup.. It is a troop transport/cargoship/also may be a carrier.

Gator Freighter - Aircraft carriers make living at sea a little easier for Marines and Sailors.

Naval Terminology, Jargon and Slang FAQ

[NormsRevenge]

But it may just be an affectionate term for "Home" while away from home, too.

Ramius, in earlier post, is probably more correct as he describes the loading/unloading capabilities.

I got a sloughful of hits when I entered Gator Freoghter into Google searcn engine.

[pfflier]

Last Friday I was on the beach at San Onofre watching the CH-46s shuttle cargo to the Amphibs. They flew all day. I kept thinking as each sling load moved out that this was for real.

I remembered how we were treated during the Vietnam War and I swear to all of you that this will never happen again on my watch.

I challenge all freepers to become involved in any actions that support the troops and to oppose anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up for our country and our troops.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines can rest assured that we've got you covered on the homefront, you can rest assured that your service will be appreciated and that you will have the respect and admiration that you deserve.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for your service to our country.
May God Protect you and your shipmates.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome Home Brother

[HanneyBean]

Bless you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Prayers sent up for you and yours /\

[B-Chan]

Go get 'em, TARAWA & Co.. Wish I could be there with you.

Praying for you all,

B-chan
Former MM3, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65)

[RaceBannon]

Keep your head down!!

When in doubt, empty the magazine!!

USMC 1977-1981

[RaceBannon]

I was on the Belleau Wood for the maiden WESPAC in 81, so, if you are in the forward troop compartment, under the flight deck, go to the starboard side.

Look underneath the catwalk entrance right outside of the troop compartment, there is a gunwhale where the mess crew takes smoke breaks.

Fill up some small garbage bags with water, swing the bags over the railing and onto the gunwhale, and soak those smokers!

Funniest thing I ever did on an LHA!

[Poohbah]

When in doubt, empty the magazine!!

When the going gets tough, the tough go cyclic :o)

[ffusco]

only mini in our navy, those landing craft are huge ocean going ships.