Tarawa Returning After Successful 13th Western Pacific Deployment

USS TARAWA, At Sea (NNS) -- Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1 is scheduled to return to Naval Station San Diego, after spending more than half a year deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf.

The three-ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) strike group deployed to the Western Pacific in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism.

“This was the most successful deployment I've experienced. It had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the young Sailors and Marines on board Tarawa," said Capt. Peter Murphy, Tarawa’s commanding officer. "Their attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm make me proud to be Tarawa's commanding officer. Regardless of mission, assignment, or port visited, crew performance was magnificent from beginning to end."

ESG 1, composed of Amphibious Group 1, Tarawa, USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), along with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable), departed San Diego July 16.

Soon after leaving San Diego, Tarawa was charged with providing humanitarian relief to the Philippine island of Tawi-Tawi. Tarawa’s medical and dental personnel were flown in to the region to give much needed aid to the poverty stricken region.

Tarawa then went on to transit the Suez Canal and participate in Exercise Bright Star, the largest multinational combat exercise in the world. Marines from the 13th MEU (Special Operations Capable), stationed aboard Tarawa, demonstrated combat capabilities while promoting cooperation and good will in the Middle Eastern region.

Tarawa deployed its Marines to Iraq from Kuwait Naval Base in October. In Iraq, the 13th MEU provided security support for the pivotal elections held in December.

While the Marines were deployed in Iraq, the ships of the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) conducted Maritime Security Operations in the Northern Persian Gulf, searching for pirates and keeping the sea safe for international trade.

After the successful completion of the Marines mission in Iraq, Tarawa headed to a well-deserved break in the ports of Singapore and Hong Kong.

“Getting your feet on dry land after being out to sea for that long is great,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Marvie Morales. “Anytime you can do that in a place you’ve never been before is even better.”

After four days of visiting Hong Kong, the Tarawa strike group departed for familiar waters in Hawaii. Picking up more than 300 family members in Pearl Harbor for a “Tiger Cruise,” the three ships headed out for the last leg of their journey to San Diego. During this last part of the voyage, family members get to see what life at sea is like for their Sailors.

Tarawa steamed for more than 36,000 miles across two oceans during its deployment, visiting nine countries in Southwest Asia, Africa and the Far East. However, after touring parts of the world most Americans will never see firsthand, Tarawa Sailors and Marines were most anxious to return home to the United States.

“I am glad we did what we did, but it gets stressful out here,” said Fireman Billy Szymanski. “I am really glad to be getting home to my wife and family.”

To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..

Weary Warriors and Mighty Mariners returning home!

2 posted on 02/15/2006 4:45:27 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

The Tarawa was the first of it's class...and had some plumbing problems early on. The sewage holding tanks would back up terribly in rough seas. It was awful.

Still, I had some good cruises aboard that ship:)

060210-N-1027J-007 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Feb. 10, 2006) – Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) flagship, amphibious assault USS Tarawa (LHA 1) is moored at Naval Station Pearl Harbor during a scheduled port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman John T. Jackson (RELEASED)

4 posted on 02/15/2006 5:23:55 PM PST by Cannoneer No. 4 (Our enemies act on ecstatic revelations from their god. We act on the advice of lawyers.)

Thanks for the ping. I was on her Sister ship, Peleliu (LHA-5)

6 posted on 02/17/2006 12:45:22 PM PST by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)

I noticed that you posted an article on Pasquasle Troisi back way back when... If you still have contact with that boy tell him to holla at Grisel Cruz 'Great Lakes' Grisel...

I miss my dawg...

Have him e-mail me at GMCruz3@Netscape.net or GCruz@Digitalinsurance.com ....

Please.................................

God bless you all...

Other than that, it do not hurt to try.

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