Posted on 07/20/2006 4:24:52 PM PDT by SandRat
USS NASHVILLE, At Sea (NNS) -- A Utility Landing Craft (LCU) operated by Sailors assisting the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) landed in Lebanon, July 20, to begin transporting American citizens who have chosen to depart that country.
The LCU deployed from USS Nashville (LPD 13) and is the first U.S. naval vessel to land in Lebanon in support of the voluntary departure of U.S. civilians.
“Nashville moved into position this morning just a couple of miles off the coast of Lebanon,” said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Ulmer, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4 liaison. “It launched its LCU and put it into the beach just off the beach of the embassy. This is the first U.S. Navy ship to move people out of Lebanon.”
At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Navy ships and Marine personnel are assisting with the secure and orderly departure of American citizens departing the country.
The Marines deployed from USS Nashville as part of Commander, Task Force 59. American citizens boarded the LCUs and were transported to Nashville in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Nashville will then transport the Americans to Cyprus where they can make further arrangements for follow-on transportation and accommodations.
The LCU can carry an estimated 300 personnel and Nashville has the capability to accommodate between 1,000 and 1,200 passengers.
Maritime assets are on station or en route to assist in the authorized departure. In addition to Nashville, USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) and USS Barry (DDG 52) are on station escorting contract commercial carriers. USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and USS Trenton (LPD 14) are expected to arrive on station tomorrow and will also assist the transport operations.
“We run transports on a continuous basis,” said Ulmer. “As soon as we reach capacity, we’ll transport the American citizens to Cyprus.
“In a 24-hour cycle, each ship should be able to do one complete run,” he said. “Then we’ll turn around to return to pick up more American citizens.”
Nashville, an amphibious transport dock ship attached to the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, departed the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of operation earlier this week to assist CTF 59 with these voluntary departures.
For additional information on the status of military support to citizens departing Lebanon, visit www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2006/lebanon.html.
and the Presstitutes whine; why so long, why so little, why so late, why so far out, can't it just dock??????
This ship is already in Cypress!
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