Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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Coronado ' s Mission THE COMMAND SHIP CORONADO SERVED AS FLAGSHIP FOR COMMANDER JOINT TASK FORCE MIDDLE EAST FROM 18 FEB- RUARY 1988 THROUGH 03 OCTOBER 1988. PROVIDING LOGIS- TICS, COMMUNICATION, AND SHIPBOARD ACCOMODATIONS FOR THE STAFF. CORONADO ' S VERSATILE CAPABILITIES PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE FORCE COMMANDER ' S ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE REGION ' S FOREIGN DIPLOMACY AND MEET OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES.

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SHIP ' S HISTORY In the 16th century, Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez Coronado was one of the pioneers in the investiga- tion of the untamed new world. In his spirit, a town in southern California bears his name, as have two ships of the United States Navy. The first USS CORONADO (PF-38), a patrol frigate, served in World War II as a convoy escort and distinguished herself with four battle stars: the Bismark Archepilago Operation, the Hollandia Operation, the Western New Guinea Operations and the Leyte Gulf Operation. CORONADO was decommissioned July 12, 1945 and transferred to Russia under the Lend Lease Program. Returned to the United States in Yokosuka in 1949, she was placed in reserve until 1953 when she was transferred to Japan under the Mutual Assistant Program. Today ' s USS CORONADO (AGF-11) a miscellaneous command ship, was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. Her keel was laid on May 3, 1965 and she was launched July 30, 1966. CORONADO was commissioned in 1969 and was one of twelve original Austin class Amphibious Transport Docks (LPD), and she was one of six fitted with additional superstructure for flagship duties. She was first assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and throughout the 1970 s conducted extensive amphibious operations and deployed on numerous extensive amphibio us operations to the Carribean and Mediterranean Seas, as well as conducting Northern European deployments. In 1980 CORONADO was redesignated AGF and relieved USS LASALLE (AGF-3) as the flagship for U.S. MIDDLE EAST FORCE. She returned to the United States in 1983 to undergo a complex overhaul in Philadelphia primarily to upgrade command and control capabilities. In September of 1985 CORONADO relieved USS PUGET SOUND (AD-38) as flagship of n f Ut Hj COMMANDER SIXTH FLEET. fT] During CORONADO ' S ten month tour with the Sixth Fleet, she operated out of Gaeta, Italy and visited a host of Mediterranean countries. She also participated in such operations as the Achille Lauro Affair, Freedom of Navigation Operations in the Gulf of Sidra, and the Air Strike against Libyan terrorist support facilities. During her stay, CORONADO was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Navy Expedi- tionary Medal for her support efforts. In July of 1986, CORONADO was relieved of her Sixth Fleet flagship duties by the USS BELKNAP (CG-26) and headed home for the United States. After making a brief stop in Norfolk, Virginia and a well deserved homecoming with family and friends, CORONADO set sail for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to assume duties as flagship for COMMANDER U.S. THIRD FLEET. On November 26, 1986, Vice Admiral Diego Hernandez broke his personal flag onboard CORONA- DO, and returned the Third Fleet to the sea for the first time since World War II. During her tour as flagship, CORONADO made visits to San Diego, and as the lead ship, participated in San Francisco ' s Fleet Week, a week long ceremony honoring the U.S. Navy. Vice Admiral Hernandez also was on hand to observe one of his battle groups operate up close. In November of 1987, CORONADO participated in a week of exercises in the Bering Sea with the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) and her battle group. The trip culminated with port stops in Esquimalt, British Columbia, Juneau and Adak, Alaska. t W On January 12, 1988, CORONADO was once again on the move. Temporarily relieved by USS CLEVELAND (LPD-7), CORONADO returned to the Persian Gulf to relieve USS LASALLE as MIDDLE EAST FORCE flagship. Operating out of the island nation of Bahrain, CORONADO served as the command and control platform for Rear Admiral Anthony Less, who unified the Middle East forces as Commander Joint Task Force Middle East. In her role as flagship from February 18, 1988 to October 3, 1988, CORONADO made port visits to Muscat, Oman; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, hosting numerous guests and dignitaries. CORONADO conducted several operations in the Persian Gulf in support of the CJTFME mission, includ- ing: Ernest Will operations, providing assistance following the mining of the SAMUAL B. ROBERTS, the Iranian Air Bus incident, and participating in Operation Praying Mantis, the retaliatory strike on Iran for continued mining of Persian gulf shipping lanes. CORONADO was awarded the Armed Forces Expedition- ary Medal for her deployment in the Persian Gulf, as well as the Joint Meritorious Unit award for her support in the Operation Praying Mantis. CORONADO was relieved by USS LASALLE on October 3, and visited Hong Kong enroute to her homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where on November 8, she relieved USS CLEVELAND and resumed duties as flagship for Commander Third Fleet.