Kearsarge (LHD 3) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 18 text:

' as APRIL 2001 April 25, 2001 was a gloomy day, and the weather matched the mood of the crew more than 1,200 Kearsarge Sailors said goodbye to their farnilies in the rain and cold. For more than half of the crew, this was their fiist deployment. On paper, the schedule called for a few exercises and several port visits. The biggest question was whether or not the schedule would hold. The ship's fourth deployment, USS Kearsarge has a history of being involved in real-world events that test its crevv. VVould this deployrnent be different? Little did the crew know that within the next six months life at home would be altered in a way that would affect each and every Sailor, Marine and fainily member.

Page 17 text:

APRHJ 2001 April 25, 2001 was ai gloomy day, and the wwithc-r matched the inood of the crew as more than 1,200 Kezu'szu'g'e Sailors said goodbye to their farnilies in the rain and cold. For more than half of the crew, this was their first deployment. On paper, the schedule called for a few exercises and several port visits. The biggest question was whether or not the schedule would hold. The ship's fourth deployment, US? Kearszu'ge has a history of being involved in real-world events that test its crew. Would this deployment be different? Little did the crew know that within the next six xnonths life at home would be altered in a way that would affect wich and every Sailor, Murine and fzunily member.

Page 19 text:

Within 24 hours of getting underway, the entire crew was poised to perform. The first task: get the Marines of the 24 MEU CSOC7 aboard safely in Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Setting Condition 1A at 07 30 on M April, tons of heavy equipment, more than 25 helicopters and 1,230 Marines were all loaded aboard Kearsarge. Perfectly orchestrated, the on- load was conducted expeditiously and by the following morning, Kearsarge was headed East.