Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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Denver History The names of Amphibious Transport Docks are taken from U.S. cities which have been named for famous American explores. Denver, Colorado is named for James W. Denver. James Denver was an early founder of the state of California, serving as State Senator, Secretary if State, and as an U.S. Senator. He went on to become Governor of Kansas and a Brigadier General during the Civil War. The DENVER lotto of A Mile High, A Mile Ahead alludes to our strong abiding ties to the city of Denver, Colorado. tit USS DENVER (LPD 9) is the third ship of the fleet to bear this name. Its keel was laid on 7 July 1964 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and ;:onstruction Company in Seattle, Washington. DENVER was launched on 23 January 1965, and commissioned on 26 October 1968, christened la) lyMrs.JohnLove.wifeofthegovemorofColorado. The first DENVER, Cruiser No. 14,servedfrom 1904- 193 3 in both the Pacific and Atlantic ? leets. It ' s primary action was as convoy escort from 1917-1918 during World War 1 . ol The second DENVER (CL-58), a light cruiser, saw action from 1 942-1960. CL-58 participated in the bombardment and consolidation of V tie Solomon Islands, the landing and group operation at New Georgia, and the Treasury-Bougainvillea Operation in 1 943. Additionally, CL- 8 was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for its role in the Battle of Empress in Augusta Bay. In 1944, CL-58 was part of the Marianas )peration, the Western Caroline Islands Operations, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. In 1945, CL-58 took part in the Luzon Operation, the Manila ffl Jay - Bicol Operations, the Consolidation of Southern Philippines, the Borneo Operations, and Third Fleet operations against Japan. 10 During her 32 years, DENVER has made numerous deployments, including five to Vietnam. In April 1 975, an expedient embarkation of ilarine Battalion 3 9 ADENVER to dash to Vung Tau, Vietnam. While remaining off Vung Tau awaiting decisions stabilizing our role in erica ' s final pullout of Vietnam, DENVER assumed a key role in the emergency evacuation of Vietnam. In one ensuing effort, DENVER escued 1 ,400 victims of the collapse of the South Vietnamese government. In 1 99 1 , DENVER acted as the primary control ship for all amphibious ships in support of Operation Desert Storm. On 24 February, embarked Marine and Navy units were tactically off-loaded off the coast of Al Mishab, Saudi Arabiajust 20 nautical miles south of the Kuwait border. Tie units performed various combat roles in support of the successful ground assault phase of Operation Desert Storm. DENVER was awarded [le Navy Unit Commendation for operations during the war. Denver ' s most recent deployment was the 17th, and took her to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. Deployed as part of tie Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group ( ARG), DENVER departed its homeport on 24 January, 2000. DENVER was involved in lany vital operations and exercises. DENVER ' s first mission was to support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations of the international brces in East Timor. While in the Arabian Gulf DENVER joined other forces of the fifth fleet supporting operation Southern Watch. DENVER uid the 15 MEU also participated in multinational exercises Eager Mace in Kuwait, Eastern Maverick in Qatar, and Sea Soldier in Oman. DENVER had the honor of being one of the first amphibious ships to support Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Arabian Gulf. mission previously only conducted by destroyers and cruisers. DENVER ' S Visit Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams boarded five hips in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. Port visits included Darwin, Australia; Phuket, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Kuwait Hity, Kuwait; Doha, Qatar; Jebel AU, UAE; Muscat, Oman; Penang, Malays ia; and Hong Kong. First USS Denver (C-14) (1904) Second USS Denver (CL-58) (1942)

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Ship ' s Statistics USS DENVER is an Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD-9). This is an all purpose class, which employs the balanced load concept. The LPD class is capable of carrying troops, cargo, and tanks. In addition, they operate troop and cargo- carrying helicopters, VSTOL fixed wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UA V) to project assault, special warfare and reconnaissance forces inland in support of the beachhead from the helicopter-landing platform. The crew consists of approximately 350 Sailors and 30 Officers. More than 1 9,000 repair parts are stored onboard to permit all levels of maintenance while underway. The diesel and steam generators can produce sufficient electricity to light all the homes in a medium sized city. The evaporators have the capacity to distill more than 60,000 gallons of water per day. DENVER has an official US Post Office where the crew can purchase stamps and money orders and mail letters and packages anywhere in the world. A large air-conditioning plant cools all electronic spaces as well as living, berthing and dining areas. The overall length of DENVER is nearly twice that of a football field. DENVER ' S storerooms and refrigerators can hold enough food to feed the crew for a month. She has a fully automatic laundry, which provides daily services, three barbershops, and a general store which sells more than $20,000 worth of clothing, snacks, and other merchandise per month. The crew ' s galley is capable of serving 4,000 meals per day. The medical facility is suppUed with the latest medicines and antibiotics, and is staffed by a doctor, a dentist and experienced Hospital Corpsmen and Dental Technicians. Onboard and off duty activities include: unlimited use of ships at sea telephones, E-mail access, two weight rooms and workout spaces, regularly scheduled movies and the occasional onboard steel beach picnic on the flight deck. Overall Length: 570 FEET Beam: 84 FEET Displacement: 16, 550 TONS Speed: 20+KNOTS Armament: TWO VULCAN PHALANX , TWO 25mm CANNONS, EIGHT .50 CAL GUNS Propulsion: TWIN SCREWS, STEAM TURBINE, 24,000 HORSEPOWER Compliment: 600 TROOPS, 350 SAILORS AND 30 OFFICERS

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CAPT Charles E Webher Commanding Ojfficer USS Denver (LPD-9) Captain Webber was bom in 1952 in Port Townsend, Washington. He is a graduate of Shorecrest High School ai the University of Washington — both located in Seattle, Washington. He received his commission as an Ensign, Unit States Naval Reserve, in February 1975 after completing Aviation Officer Candidate School, and augmented to tl United States Navy in 1983. Captain Webber assumed command of USS. Denver (LPD-9) in September of 1998. He previously commanded UJ Fort McHenry (LSD-43) from June 1993 to July 1995. During this time Fort McHenry earned her second and thi consecutive Battle Efficiency Awards, as well as, the Federal Energy Conservation Awards for 1993 and 1994, and t) Secretary of the Navy Environmental Quality Award for 1994. He deployed Fort McHenry to the Western Pacific, Indii Ocean and Arabian Gulf as part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group from June to December 1994. Captain Webber began his surface career with a variety of division officer and department head billets in USS. Mou Hood (AE-29). Subsequently, he was the plank-owner Engineer Officer in USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23), ai Executive Officer in USS Juneau (LPD-10). Most recently. Captain Webber completed a tour on the Joint Staff as the Weapons Technology Control Division Chi and the Non Proliferation Branch Chief within the Deputy Directorate for International Negotiations, Directorate Strategy and Policy (J-5). Previous assignments ashore were the Navy Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corp the Amphibious Resource Sponsor in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and the Commanding Officer Hi Allowance and Flag Secretary to Commander, THIRD Fleet. Captain Webber is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, DC where he receive the Commandant ' s Award for Excellence in Research and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy. H personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Joi Service Conmiendation Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Navy- Marii Corps Achievement Medal.