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."

[bkwells]

Well my fellow FREEPERS, I'm outta here for at least 6 months. I'll try and give some inside views when I can from out here.

[firewalk]

Bttt

[Semper Paratus]

Good luck and stay away from the bad falafel stands in Basra.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

Godspeed. I'd like to add 'thank you' - but that's not nearly enough. I'll buy you a beer if'n you're ever on Chicago's South Side; for whatever that's worth...

[petuniasevan]

Thanks for serving.

[L,TOWM]

Godspeed and URRAH! URRAH!

[Dog]

Good hunting...and God speed!

[knighthawk]

Ping

[knighthawk]

Stay safe!

[Dog]

ping!

[Miss Marple]

Stay safe, and Godspeed.

And most of all, THANK YOU.

[kayak]

Thank you for your service!

May God bless you and keep you!

[RandallFlagg]

UNDERWAY! SHIFT COLORS!!
Watch out for Sea Bats!!!!

[Wait4Truth]

Thanks for the ping, Dog!

bk, stay safe and God bless you. Our prayers are with you!!

[jtill]

Thank you for your service. God bless you and defend you day by day with his heavenly grace.

[ArrogantBustard]

Godspeed. Good Hunting. Give 'em Hell.

And don't forget, LLSS. Which may be of some interest to you, since your'e on a ship. :)

[Molly Pitcher]

A Huge Thank You and Farewell.

[richardtavor]

Our prayers are with you and your families. May G-d cover you all with his protective wing and hide you in the cleft of the Mountain.

[desertcry]

God be with you, bkwells.