Fairfax County (LST 1193) - Naval Cruise Book

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1990-91 HISTORY FAIRFAX COUNTY deployed as part of MARG 3-90 on 6 August 1990. With an uncertain destination, contingency planning and preparations commenced for either a routine MARG turnover, Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations off Liberia, or Desert Shield operations. Instead of the planned MARG turnover in Rota, Spain: FAIRFAX COUNTY sailed to Mamba Station, Liberia for Operation Sharp Edge (non-combatant evacuation of Liberia). After four days on station, and an underway turnover with MARG 2-90, the ship sailed for Rota, Spain. Some MARG 3-90 units remained in Mamba Station conducting NEO operations. September began with a follow-on DMAT visit in Rota. On 4 September FAIRFAX COUNTY sailed for bilateral operations in Spanish PHIBLEX ' 90. She conducted barge ferry and stern gate operations providing supply support to the landing forces ashore at Sierra de Retin. Follow-on port visits this month included Beni- dorm, Spain and Messina, Italy. FAIRFAX COUNTY sailed on 1 October as part of the combined NATO forces participating in exercise Display Determination ' 90. On 7 October FAIRFAX COUNTY was assigned advance force commander in preparation for a combined amphibious assault in Saros Bay, Turkey. FAIRFAX COUNTY conducted an am- phibious beaching on 12 October in support of Display Determination. This was the first beaching in this area and paved the way for further amphibious operations. Afterwards, FAIRFAX COUNTY sailed for a Naples port visit and upkeep which included a visit to Rome for a Papal audience. November began with FAIRFAX COUNTY upholding her Battle E reputation as the ship scored an outstanding on her Combat Systems Assessment. On 5 No vember, FAIRFAX COUNTY sailed for Toulon, France, where she was visited on 7 November by VADM Owens, Commander Sixth Fleet. On 1 2 November FAIRFAX COUNTY sailed for Izmir, Turkey, arriving on the 19th and remaining through Thanksgiving. After- wards FAIRFAX COUNTY visited Trieste, Italy and played host to the U.S. Counsul General and Yugoslav Consul, for onboard receptions. On 4 December the ship sailed for Rota, Spain. Arriving on 13 December, FAIRFAX COUNTY was re- united with the Mamba station MARG assets. Christmas was spent in Barcelona, Spain as FAIRFAX COUNTY was in port from 1 9-30 December. New Years Eve saw FAIRFAX COUNTY at sea enroute to Toulon, France. January and February saw much underway time with a visit in Toulon, France and Rota, Spain. FAIRFAX COUNTY saw a blue water turnover with MARG 2-91 in February. FAIRFAX COUNTY arrived Moorhead City for offload of Marines on the 2nd of March. MARG 3-90 pulled in port from the seven month deployment March 4th.

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER MARK A. HOKE Commander Mark Hoke is a native of Indiana and attended tlie United States Naval Academy. He graduated in June 1970, and was commissioned an Ensign. Commander Hoke ' s first assignment was aboard USS JOHN R. CRAIG (DD-885), in San Diego, California, where he served as Gunnery Assistant. He transferred to Coastal River Squadron One in September 1972 and served as Officer-in-charge of a PTF, Squadron Operations Officer, and Officer-in-charge of River Division 13. Commander Hoke reported to USS PAUL REVERE (LPA-248) as First Lieutenant in October 1974 and then as Engineering Officer aboard USS CARPENTER (DD-825) in Alameda, California. In June 1979, he reported to USS CORONADO (LPD-11) as First Lieutenant. Commander Hoke reported to the Saudi Naval Expansion Program, Fleet Introduction Team at Little Creek, Virginia, in Janu- ary 1 981 as Liaison Officer to the Commanding Officer, H MS BADR (PCG-61 2). He served as Executive Officer on USS DETROIT (AOE-4) from June 1983 through February 1985. Commander Hoke transferred to Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, and served as Director of Training from March 1 985 to March 1987. In March 1987 he reported to the Pre-commissioning Detachment WISCONSIN (BB-64), where he served as Weapons Officer. On 15 December, Commander Hoke relieved as Commanding Officer, USS FAIRFAX COUNTY (LST-1193). I