Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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Capt. M.M. France Commander Amphibious Squadron 8 Commander Amphibious Forces Lebanon Commander Task Force 6l Capt. Morgan M. France was born Sept. 22, l935, in Oswego, N.Y, He holds a B.S. Degree from Holy Cross College, Worcester, Ma., and an M.A. Degree from Auburn University. Capt. France entered the Navy through the Holy Cross NROTC program and was commissioned June I2, l957. After a brief tour of duty aboard JOHN PAUL JONES as assistant engi- neering officer, he began flight training in the fall of '57. He was designated a naval aviator in Dec. l958 and served with Air Transport Squadron 22. being designated a MATS Aircraft Commander and Trans- Atlantic Flight Examiner. In June l96I, he was as- signed for three years to NROTC Unit, Auburn, AL.. as an instructor. ln June l964, he reported to Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 26, participating in tests and evaluations of anti-submarine tactics aboard RANDOLPH. This tour was followed by assignment to VT-9, NAS Meridian as a flight instructor. ln No- vember l967, he reported to VA-42 for training in the A6A, followed by assignment to VA-65 in April I968. He served as maintenance officer and operations officer completing one combat tour to S.E. Asia aboard KITTY HAWK and a Med cruise aboard lNDE- PENDENCE. Departing VA-65 in Nov. I97O, he report- ed to Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic, as assis- tant attack training officer and target officer. In Feb. I973, Capt. France reported to Attack Squadron 75, serving as X.O. and C.O.. completing one deploy- ment to the Med aboard SARATOGA, He was next assigned to INDEPENDENCE as ship's navigator. In July, l977, he was assigned to COMNAVAIRLANT as flag secretaryfexecutive assistant to the Command- er. After completing the Senior Ship Material Readi- ness course, Capt. France took command of EL PASO. ln May, l982, Capt. France became Command- er Amphibious Squadron Eight. .KH

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1 Z' '. MARE- 2 - 83 The deployed ships of Am- phibious Squadron Eight were USS IWO JIMA CLPH JJ, and USS EL PASO CLKA ll7j, USS AUSTIN CLPD 43. USS PORTLAND fLSD 375 and USS HARLAN COUNTY CLST ll96j. With their variety of equip- ment, trained men and embarked Navy Marine Corps units, an am- phibious ready group is an inte- gral part of the U.S. 2nd and 6th fleets. The ready group ships have a significant capability to conduct amphibious assault ops in an actual combat situation. Plus, because of the versatility in ship design and personnel train- ing, the ready group and Marine force can conduct humanitarian ops such as disaster relief and evacuation of civilians from hos- tile areas. For its service in Leba- non. MARG 2 - 83 received much deserved praise from high- ranking dignitaries throughout the deployment.