900101-N-0000X-001 At sea aboard USS Comstock (LSD 45)Jan. 1, 1990 -- An aerial port bow view of the amphibious transport dock landing ship USS Comstock, underway prior to its commissioning. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Avondale Industries, Inc. (RELEASED)
030117-N-2069B-002 San Diego, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2003) -- USS Anchorage (LSD 36) departs San Diego Bay as she heads to sea for an unscheduled deployment in support of U.S. national interests. The amphibious dock landing ship is part 7-ship Amphibious Task Force West (ATF-W). U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Gregory Badger. (RELEASED)
USS Comstock, Anchorage Return Home
Story Number: NNS030702-09
Release Date: 7/2/2003 2:45:00 PM
By By Lt. j.g. Patrick Drain, USS Comstock Public Affairs
NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Amphibious warships USS Comstock (LSD 45) and USS Anchorage (LSD 36) are returning to San Diego July 3, ending a successful six-month deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The embarked Marines will return to Camp Pendleton July 2.
Comstock and Anchorage also rescued five Filipino fishermen June 9, who were stranded at sea 313 miles off the Philippine coast since May 15.
The homecoming marks the end of a surge deployment to the Northern Arabian Gulf that began January 17, when a total of seven ships deployed from San Diego as Amphibious Task Force West (AFT West), carrying Marines and equipment to the Arabian Gulf. Comstock and Anchorage carried Marines from 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance and 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Division.