Nassau (LHA 4) - Naval Cruise Book

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Above: The Navy decides to take the tourist role while the Marine Corps takes a decidedly relaxed method. From the 13th through the 17th of December, NASSAU and the other ships of MARG 4-87 were off the coast of Al Hoceima, Morocco, taking part in Exercise African Eagle. Also participating in the exercise was the destroyer USS Thorn and the RMN L.C. Erhamani, a Moroccan frigate. While an amphibious assault using helicopters and landing craft raced toward the beach, USS Thorn and RMN L.C. Erhamani simulated Naval Gunfire Support CNGESQ. Elsewhere, an HC-130 dropped flares to illuminate the landing objective. Overall, the L and H-hours, aided by perfectly calm seas and light winds, came off precisely on time and the landing was flawless. VIP visits were also a part of Exercise African Eagle. NASSAU was visited and toured by the Commander of the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Commander of The Royal Moroccan Infantry School. Both officials observed the amphibious assault and commented favorably on the joint exercise. While not a high- profile operation, Exercise African Eagle proved beyond a doubt how well American Navy and Marine Forces interface with their contemporaries of for- eign nations. Undoubtedly members of both forces learned something new from the other. When the exercise was over and the backload complete, everyone involved in the landing came away very secure in knowing they have gone a little further down the road to complete cooperation between all our allies in the Medi- terranean.

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-sm h v 545552: Exercise African Eagle was many things to many people, but for most it was a welcome break from shipboard routine. .1-,17,