Duluth (LPD 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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And In The Qeginning 12 Novem er 1981 fclockwise from rightj HT2 Dennis Bever and wife embrace, and BM3 Anthony McMahan stands by wife and song BM3 Lanny Bailey and SA Clyde Perryman stand by for the brow to be liftedg wives and children wave goodbye from the pierg Captain Strole and wife Dagmar say their goodbyes, RM1 Kris Ooton looks on. ngwawmwv-fe

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DULUTH is unique in having a helicopter platform built over a well deck in the rear of the vessel. This provides the tactical advantage of being able to lift troops, their combat equipment and supplies onto the same ship. Therefore, the ship contributes to all phases of the amphibious assault. The well deck is a large hollow area inside the hull of the ship. Located within the well deck are upper and lower vehicle storage areas, which hold most of the embarked troop's heavy combat equipment, such as tanks and jeeps. To facilitate the docking and loading of various sized landing craft, the ship can ballast down under the water, thereby flooding the well deck with enough water to enable the landing craft to enter through the stern gate door. Once docked inside the well deck, troops, supplies, and combat equipment can be loaded on to or off of the amphibious boats and vehicles. .- Flight operations play a major role in amphibious warfare. The DULUTH can bring troops and supplies aboard by any of the helicopters in the Navy and Marine Corps inventories. DULUTH can land, load, and launch 2 CH53's with 70 fully equipped combat troops in less than two minutes. Through radio contact and visual communications from our well-trained airmen, the helicopters are guided to a safe landing on the flight deck. Today our Air Department maintains a perfect record of over 18,000 accident-free helo landings. Fuel replenishments are provided to the helicopters when needed. The Amphibious Operation The purpose of an amphibious operation is to establish a landing force on a hostile shore, and to secure that territory. The job of DULUTH is to move troops and their supplies to an area most strategicly suited for anefficient assault landing. Amphibious warfare integrates all types of ships, aircraft, landing forces and weapons, in a concentrated military effort. Close cooperation and detailed coordination between all participating forces is essential to the success of an amphibious exercise. There must be a clear understanding of mutual obligations, special capabilities, and problems of each component. These operations include detailed planning, embarkation of troops and equipment, rehearsal movement to the objective area, final preparation, the assault landing itself, and support of the landing force until the operation has ended. As an LPD, the DULUTH plays a unique role in amphibious operations, and having a well-trained and ready crew is absolutely necessary. From line handlers and signalmen, to the essential task of maintaining communications between all stations, each man must understand his job. The crew of DULUTH are known for their high standards of performance, and enable DULUTH to fulfill her rigorous role in the Gator Navy . I A r

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ff! The ship began to move away from the pierg the crew, mustered at quarters for leaving port. The pier began to grow smaller and smaller, as the tug guided us out of the harbor. Cbelowj approached the Coronado ' ' Bridge, a familiar sight from many times we'd been underway for local operations and training, and as we steamed away after passing under the bridge, many of us thought about how we wouldn't be seeing that bridge again for another six months. w - 9