USS Tarawa (LHA 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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TARAWA Departs on WestPac '92 It seemed like only yesterday the USS TARAWA had.pulled in from WestPac for Operation Desert Shield!Storm and once agaln the day had come for all of us to say good-bye to our loved ones for yet another West Pac. TARAWA set out for the exotic ports of the Far East and the un- known occurrences ofthe Western Pacific. During a West Pac, the only thing that keeps the Sailors and Ma- rines going is the support from our loved ones so far away. Whether it be a mother or father, wife or daughter, the cruise would last an eter- nity with out those letters and care packages from home. When mail call finally comes, smiles break out and people regain their drive for another week. Deny us our letters and packages and one can see the effect it has on the morale of the entire crew. It is the same as the letters you recieve from us and if you were denied that privelege, well you know. So, as I board this ship, give me one last kiss and I will be home y as soon as possible. iw' f V am: , ' D 4 0

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1988. In July 1987, TARAWA won the Admiral Flatley award for the third time. In late May of 1988, TARAWA rejoined the Pacific Fleet to resume training and readi- ness exercises in preparation for her next deployment. TARAWA began her sixth operational deployment in July of 1989. She partici- pated in joint military exercises in Thailand before returning to San Diego in De- cember, 1989. In May, 1990, TARAWA participated in Fleet Exercise RIMPAC-90, the largest peacetime ship movement since World War II, serving as flag ship for Commander, Amphibious Group THREE and the FIFTH marine Expeditionary Brigade. Between June and October 1990, TARAWA underwent a four-month repair avail- ability at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Forty-eight days later she deployed to the Arabian Gulf as the flagship of a thirteen-ship amphibious task force on 1 December, 1990 in support of Operations Desert Shield!Storm. It was the largest such deployment since the Vietnam conflict in 1965. Embarked were the Commander, Amphibious Group THREE and the FIFTH Marine Expeditionary Brigade. TARAWA participated in amphibious assault exercise Sea Soldier IV in Oman in January as a rehearsal for the proposed landing into Kuwait. On 24 February 1991, TARAWA landed elements of the FIFTH Marine Expeditionary Brigade into Saudi Arabia just south of the Kuwait border to join up with the FIRST Marine Expe ditionary Force in liberating Kuwait. In May, TARAWA departed the Arabian Gulf and was diverted to Bangladesh to render twoiweeks of humanitarian assistance to typhoon victims in Operation Sea Angel. The 2000 tons of rice delivered by TARAWA's helicopters and landing craft helped more than 1.5 million inhabitants of southeast Bangladesh. TARAWA, the proud Eagle of the Sea returned home to America's Finest City in June of 1991. In September 1992, TARAWA underwent a brief upkeep period that lasted until December. In May 1992, TARAWA began her eighth operational deployment. She partici- pated in Operation Eager Mace 92-3 and was also involved in providing command and control for the movement of Pakistani troops to the famine-stricken country of So- malia. In November 1992, TARAWA returned to her homeport of San Diego.

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V12 . -,...-e.......... a fFar Leftj PH3 Orr poses for a shot with his wife and daughter. fLeftj Two expecting mothers wait as the ship gets ready to pull out. fflbovej CDR Brown pats his son on the head as his wife looks on in the background. fBelowj RM3 Morehouse kisses his daughter good-bye. - if