Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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CTF-76 I Brunnelle, R.J. MAJ h J Claflin. D.R. AKl Costa, J.T. AG AN Dixon, L.D. RMS IT Ellis. W.D. RMS Dougherty, S.H. AGS Fitzgerald. P.M. YN2 24

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9th M.A.B. MISSION For the fourth time, the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade was embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge. Unlike previous deployments, 9th MAB did not have a comfortable period in which to set up shop and get orientated. As soon as they came aboard, there was work to be done. Operation Kangaroo II was less than one short month away and there was much to be done. As the lagest multi-national amphibious operation held since the end of World War II, the Marines had to get all the information and intelligence needed for the landing in Australia. Drawing on over thirty years of amphibious experience and utilizing Blue Ridge ' s computer and communications capabilities, 9th MAB organized over 10,000 marines into a mobile effective landing force. But that was not half the job. Those men had to be fed, resupplied and directed to the place of action. Once the landing had taken place, the fruits of long hours and intensive planning came forth. There were minor problems, though not the fault of 9th MAB. There was the enemy to contend with and their actions can not be plotted, only estimated. After the week long operation was over and the war had been won, the men of 9th MAB still had much work to do. Those 10,000 marines had to be withdrawn, their un-used suplies collected and all of them loaded back aboard their respective ships. Nothing could be forgotten, and the 9th MAB professionals made sure that nothing was. 23

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Gabbert, J.G. AG2 Green, C. W. RMl Harbison, A.F. CT03 Hite, DR. ISl 25