USS Austin Decommissioned After 41 Years of Naval Service (Tear Alert tor GATOR-Navy Types)

Navy NewsStand ^ | Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Marissa Kaylor

[SandRat]

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Austin (LPD 4) was decommissioned Sept. 27, during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, ending more than 41 years of naval service.

“We are one of the oldest, best ships in the fleet and its time to turn over the watch,” said Cmdr. Kevin Flanagan, Austin’s commanding officer.

Commissioned Feb. 6, 1965, Austin was the first LPD class ship built, and the lead ship in its class. The ship was involved in the nation’s space program as the recovery ship for Apollo 12, and part of the recovery for Apollo 14 and 15. Austin was also the test platform for a wide range of expeditionary warfare systems entering the fleet, including: MH-53 helicopter, precursors of the present day landing craft air cushion (LCAC) and the U.S. Marine Corps AV-8 Harrier jets.

“To be a part of the Austin’s legacy is amazing,” said Seaman (SW) Roberto Santiago, a member of Austin’s deck department. “To know that I was an Austin Sailor, and decommissioned a ship is a really good experience. I’m going to be sad to see the crew split apart, as we were a really tight group.”

Austin returned to Norfolk May 4, after completing a successful six-month deployment as an element of the USS Nassau (LHA 4) Expeditionary Strike Group, where the ship deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of maritime security operations (MSO).

“We are here to celebrate the Sailors and Marines that served on board,” said Austin’s commanding officer, “all of their accomplishments and dedication to their country.”

The new amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) will be taking over for Austin.

“I can’t think of a better ship to turn the watch over to than the USS San Antonio,” said Flanagan. “They have a fine commanding officer and a fine crew. It’s a day to celebrate not a day to cry.”

[SandRat]

Current Collection				Total Images:  5
Thumbnail		Description		Options
		060927-N-1331S-121 Norfolk (Sept. 27, 2006) - Sailors aboard amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 4) depart the ship for the last time during the ship's decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Austin was decommissioned after 41 years of naval service. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Smith (RELEASED)		View Download HiRes
		060927-N-1331S-128 Norfolk (Sept. 27, 2006) - Sailors aboard amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 4) depart the ship for the last time during the ship's decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Austin was decommissioned after 41 years of naval service. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Smith (RELEASED)		View Download HiRes
		060504-N-2456S-167 Norfolk, Va. (May 4, 2006) - Sailors assigned aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Austin (LPD 4) man the rails as the ship pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk. Austin, part of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike group, returned to Norfolk after successfully completing a six month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice John Suits (RELEASED)		View Download HiRes
		060927-N-0916O-184 Norfolk (Sept. 27, 2006) - Two Sailors aboard amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 4) take ashore the ship's ensign during the ship's decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Austin was decommissioned after 41 years of naval service. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Octavio N. Ortiz (RELEASED)		View Download HiRes
		060927-N-0916O-141 Norfolk (Sept. 27, 2006) - Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall and Cmdr. Kevin P. Flanagan salute the color guard during the ship's decommissioning ceremony for amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 4) at Naval Station Norfolk. Austin was decommissioned after 41 years of naval service. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Octavio N. Ortiz (RELEASED)		View Download HiRes

[SandRat]

USS Austin Departing!

[operation clinton cleanup]

[tapatio]

[Nuc1]

My first ship before NPS. We were around for the Yom Kippour war in 1973. Hard days but good memories.

[headstamp]

Was this ship used in the Grenada operation?

[doc1019]

For those of us who have had the privilege to serve in the USN, we all feel sad when a ship is decommissioned. I served on three ships … USS Taylor (DD-468), USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) and the USS Damato (DD-871). Ships of the line … gone now.

[Always A Marine]

It is sad to see a good ship go, and losing Austin makes me feel old. My glass is raised...

[opbuzz]

I went to Norway on the Austin in 1976.

Dirtiest ship I've ever been on.

Dodging all the hurricanes and the emergency medevacs may have had something to do with it. A memorable cruise.

A buddy of mine was really surprised when I mentioned it; turned out he was the Austin skipper a few years later.

Capt Chuck Fries (sp?).

[ASOC]

My son shipped on the Austin (22 MEU)

He said the unoffical motto was "She may be slow, but she does not leak". I guess some of the newer gator Navy ships may have a small problem with leaks. At any rate, she got him home OK and that's all I could ask for.

[onedoug]

You should see the USS Ogden (LPD 5) however. I went aboard a few years ago after having been deployed from her during Operation Bold Mariner off Vietnam's Batangan peninsula in early 1969. She hadn't changed a bit from the clean and trim ship she was then.

And she's still out there, somewhere.

Hey Tonk...OBM bump.

[SandRat]

For a wetter, a sipper, or a gulper???

[Diver Dave]

USS Austin Departing!

Hand Salute!.....two

Farewell to a proud ship in an equally proud Navy.

[Diver Dave]

BTW, I completed my 4 year enlistment 39 years ago today (SFP2 (DV) - USS PIEDMONT AD-17)

[SandRat]

and bet you can still rattle off your service number with out error.

[Diver Dave]

Absolutely! ...and, my Dress Blues still fit - ...well, maybe a little snug. Wore 'em last Veteran's Day for some local festivities.

[SandRat]

Same Here.

[glockulator]

we were always understaffed and underfunded but still expected to do it all, and we did.

drove 10 hours to spend a couple of hours with her before the 'grasp' came and got her.

she was a good ship.

[EGA2063]

I AM A FORMER MARINE AND SAILED ONBOARD THE AUSTIN IN SUMMER OF 1975 IN THE MED I LOVED IT I MISS IT AND WILL NOT EVER FORGET IT