Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEPARTMEHT HEADS LT. COnnOY AIH LT JACKSon EnoinEERina

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USS Denver History USS DEnVER (LFD 9) is the third ship to bear the name DEriVER Her keel was laid in February 1964 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle, Washington. DENVER was commissioned in October 1968, being christened by Mrs. John Love, wife of the governor of Colorado. DENVER was originally homeported in Long Beach, California and assigned to Amphibious Squadron SEVEN. In January 1970, one year after her arrival in Long Beach, DENVER made her first deployment to the Western Pacific, after which she made several short overseas deployments in early 1971 in support of the re-development of forces in Southeast Asia. In July 1971, DENVER was administratively reassigned to Amphibious Squadron FIVE and changed homeport to San Diego. Three months later, DENVER commenced a ten month deployment in which five downed pilots and one merchant seaman were rescued while supporting numerous combat operations in Vietnam. DENVER was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her accomplishments during this deployment. In April 1975, DENVER assumed a key role in the emergency evacuation of Vietnam, receiving more than 7,500 refugees transported by helicopters and surface craft of all types. DENVER herself carried more than 500 refugees, in addition to an overflowing compliment of evacuated Marines, to the Republic of the Philippines. In early 1977, after completing overhaul, DENVER participated in the operational evaluation of USS TARAWA (LMA 1) and a midshipman training cruise to Alaska and Canada. Following her return from deployment in September 1979, DENVER participated in the filming of the major motion picture, Raise the Titanic . In 1986, DENVER visited the Portland Rose Festival and Expo ' 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia. She also went to Monterrey, California for the Navy Birthday of 15 October 1986. After completing the deployment in July 1987, DENVER entered Surface Line Week professional competition in San Diego, taking first place in overall competition. In January 1989, DENVER departed San Diego on her twelfth deployment to the Western Pacific which included visiting several ports in the far east including Mong Kong, Yokosuka, Sasebo, Pusan, Pohang, Subic Bay and Naha. During this deployment DENVER participated in the combined US - Republic of Korea Forces Amphibious Exercise Team Spirit ' 89. In May 1990, DENVER participated in RIMPAC ' 90 exercised with the Navies of Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. In December 1990, DENVER commenced a nine month deployment to the Persian Gulf area in which she acted as the primary control ship responsible for the smooth movement of the task group landing craft during the tactical off- load of 13 Amphibious Ships in support of Operation Desert Storm. On 3 January 1991, USS DENVER was a part of the Marine Corps Aviation history. The first successful launch of a Hellfire Missile against a surface target from an AM-1 Cobra attack helicopter using a laser designator mounted on a UM-1 fluey helicopter.

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