Navy Wraps up Indonesia Relief Effort
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Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet Participates in Annual Exercise
Amphibious Force 7th Fleet sends Survey Team to Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia (NNS) – The Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, arrived in Indonesia October 4 on a humanitarian mission to coordinate US military response efforts with the Indonesian government.
US Pacific Command, directed the USS Denver (LPD 9), USS McCampbell (DDG 85), along with elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) to Padang, Indonesia to support the Indonesian humanitarian efforts in Sumatra following two devastating earthquakes.
“I would like to extend my condolences to those affected by the earthquake and landslide,” said Landolt. “The Indonesian government has asked for assistance with disaster relief operations and we are moving ships and personnel in this direction to support those operations.”
Denver was supporting disaster-relief operations in the Republic of the Philippines when they detached from the area leaving the dock landing ships USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) to continue with disaster relief in the Philippines.
U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines arrive in Manila to participate in relief efforts
MANILA, Republic of the Philippines (Oct. 4, 2009) – The USS Denver Amphibious Task Group (ATG), along with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Manila today to assist the government of the Republic of the Philippines in their relief efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma.
Approximately 2900 Sailors and Marines, along with trucks, helicopters and landing craft arrived on the dock-landing ships USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46).
The amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) offloaded Marines from the 31st MEU and their equipment Oct. 2 and continued on to Indonesia to participate in Indonesia’s relief efforts following a recent series of powerful earthquakes in the country.
USS Cleveland, USS Rushmore Arrive in Guam
SANTA RITA, Guam (Oct. 5, 2009) Two ships and more than 1,600 Sailors and Marines from the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) arrived in Santa Rita, Guam Monday, Oct. 5 for their first port call in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) departed their San Diego homeport Sept. 18 on a scheduled deployment.
“In addition to exploring the island and enjoying a brief respite from shipboard routine, we plan to participate in several community service projects and some friendly sports events with USS Cleveland,” said Cmdr. William Grotewold, Rushmore’s commanding officer.
During their free time nearly 125 Sailors and Marines are scheduled to participate in four community service events. Projects will include a visit with residents at St. Dominick’s Retirement Home where volunteers will participate in morning exercises and complete the activity of the day with 30 patients.
USS Denver Completes First FDNF Patrol
SASEBO, Japan -- The Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESX ARG), returned to its forward-deployed home of Sasebo, Japan, Dec. 2, concluding its first patrol as a member of the Navy's forward deployed naval forces (FDNF).
Denver, which replaced USS Juneau (LPD 10) as the Navy's only permanently forward deployed LPD, successfully wrapped up three intense months of arduous amphibious exercises in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Denver's Commanding Officer, Capt. Kent D. Whalen, the deployment symbolized the Navy's commitment to peace and stability in the region and helped foster stronger relations with allies in Southeast Asia. "The Denver Navy-Marine Corps took great leaps to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue our professional relationships with our allied armed forces," Whalen said. "I couldn't be prouder of what the crew of this great warship accomplished through hard work, both ship and shore, training and community building."
USS Patriot Crew Does Not Know Quit
SASEBO, Japan--A year's hard work paid off for the minesweeper USS Patriot (MCM 7) when it aced its 5-yearly inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey Sep. 24, a day ahead of schedule.
Patriot passed with flying colors, "All areas were green, except for one, and that was a yellow," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Shu, Patriot's commanding officer, referring to INSURV's stop-light system, where red is below average, yellow is average, and green is above average.
USS Tortuga Changes Command
SASEBO, Japan - USS Tortuga (LSD 46), one of only two forward-deployed US Navy landing ship docks, held a change of command ceremony Sep 10 while moored in Sasebo, Japan.
Capt. Mark E. Weber relinquished command to Cmdr. James P. Lowell, during a formal ceremony with crew and guests on the ship’s flight deck.Capt. Gary J. Haben, Deputy Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, served as guest speaker and praised Weber’s operational accomplishments and success during his time in command.