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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....

ABOARD THE USS TARAWA (Aug. 3, 2005) -- Somewhere aboard the USS Tarawa, down a few staircases, around a few nooks and through a few crannies, a sailor sits in a chair at a desk in an office with a sputtering air conditioner. His “GQ” face glistening with sweat, he runs his hands through his thick hair and takes a deep breath. “You’re not gonna get the whole “drugs, guns, ‘the streets are tough’ thing from me.” Petty Officer 3rd Class Pasquale Troisi gets straight to the point. As a Religious Program Specialist, Troisi has proven himself as an irreplaceable...

13th MEU embarks on final mission of pre-deployment work-ups Submitted by: 13th MEU Story Identification #: 2005610134415 Story by Cpl. Andy Hurt ABOARD THE USS TARAWA (LHA-1) (June 10, 2005) -- The sounds of anchor chains rumbled through the narrow halls of the USS Tarawa Wednesday morning, signaling the final at-sea period for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit during pre-deployment work-up training. The Special Operations Capable Exercise will determine whether the MEU is qualified to accomplish specialized amphibious operations while they endure the upcoming Western Pacific deployment, scheduled for mid-July through early 2006. Each element of the MEU, including MEU...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. God Bless America...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members...

April 20, 2003 IN THE NORTH ARABIAN GULF -- The amphibious assault ships of Task Force 51 come together in an unprecedented formation during operations in the North Arabian Gulf. This marked the first time that six large deck amphibious ships from the East and West coasts have deployed together in one area of operations. Led by the flag ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1), the ships in the second row from bottom to top are USS Saipan (LHA 2) and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); and the third row ships are USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS...