Belknap (CG 26) - Naval Cruise Book

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I Vertrep in Trieste SN Ramu • Hooking up for return to USS Milwaukee Flight Ops and Vertrep M 1 Incoming load A very important item - sodas MM2 Schaenzer and MM2 Hunt - Inspecting the Lynx Helo 107

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SH-53 Helicopter British Helicopter HTFN R. Beeler SN Kelley HT2 Clore HT3 Jones IC3 Schwanebeck HTFN Czerepka HT1 Barush GMM3 Sturts HTFN Rich HTFN Stranigan LTJG Dobberteen HTFN D. Beeler MM3 Jarnigan BM3 Fields SN Ramu MM2 Hunt MM3 Mausberg MM2 Schaenzer HT3 Lombard EN3 Combs FN Fowler 106

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USS AUSTIN (LPD 4) standing ready north of Beirut Point. The Italian Frigate SAGITARIO. Backing Up Beirut The city seemed to always be under a haze, something in the air that never lifted. Our time there was one of high tension and high drama. Will the Israeli ' s pull out or not? Will one of those stray rounds hit us? Will the Marines ashore sustain more casualties? Will that air contact turn out to be unfriendly? But most importantly, hats off to our comrades ashore; they toughed it out. Bombardment in Beirut. The MARG ((Marine Amphibious Readiness Group) USS FREDERICH (LST 1184), USS TARAWA (LHA 1) and USS DULUTH (LPD 6). Suez On Sep 5th, BELKNAP was sent south through the Suez Canal to escort 2000 man MARG from the Red Sea back to Beirut. We completed the 24 hour transit twice in a week. No liberty, but all hands were able to get top side and see the Suez Canal. Most memories of Suez will be of sun, sand, and heat.