Kearsarge (LHD 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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iblsllsal ewes New 1 Eenwesiisif filiiwliiliisws salaalrsa SGW 1-115150. N -A-. L CAPT Jackson began his naval career in July 1978 with commissioning from Officer Candidate School. Born in Harvey, lllinois and raised in Illinois and Wisconsin, CAPT Jackson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa. He also holds Master of Science degrees from George Washington University and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces QICAFQ. CAPT Jackson's initial sea tour was aboard the guided missile destroyer USS HENRY B. WILSON lDDG-73. Subsequent afloat assignments included: Destroyer Squadron Five tTactical Readiness and Operationsl, USS Duluth QLPD-6l lOperationsl and USS MAHLON S. TISDALE QFFG-27l lExecutive Officerl. He then served as the Commanding Officer of USS COMSTOCK QLSD-453. Shore duty assignments include: Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet lCurrent Operationsl, the United States Naval Academy tSeamanship and Navigation Departmentl, OPNAV Staff tRequirements Officer - N6l and The Joint Staff, Plans and Policy Directorate lJ5l, Weapons Technology Control Division. His most recent assignment was Branch Head, Programming and Budget Resources for Deputy Chief of Naval Operations lManpower and Personnel! QOPNAV NU. CAPT Jackson's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal twith Gold Starl, the NavylMarine Corps Commendation Medal twith four Gold Starsl, the Joint Service Achievement Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. S Copfoin Gregg Jockson COMMODORE! 9

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Ur When on 12 January, 2003 Amphibious Task Force-EAST lATF-E5 surge deployed from Norfolk, Virginia to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, Commander Amphibious Group TWO QCPG 25 embarked aboard USS KEARSARGE fLHD 35 with Amphibious Squadron EIGHT forming the nucleus of his flag staff. The Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade Q2 MEB5 embarked the seven ships of ATF-E for delivery to Kuwait in advance of their combat role in lraq. Subsequent to 2 MEB disembarking, CPG 2 detached and retumed to Norfolk leaving Commander Amphibious Squadron EIGHT fCPR 85 as the immediate superior in command of the seven ATF-E ships. In addition to the USS KEARSARGE, ATF-E included the USS BATAAN QLHD 55, USS SAIPAN lLHA 25, USS PONCE QLPD 155, USS ASHLAND QLSD 485, USS GUNSTON HALL QLSD 445, and USS PORTLAND QLSD 375. Augmenting the CPR 8 core staff were numerous Naval Support Elements essential to the smooth operation of the task force. The Naval Support Elements consisted of: Fleet Surgical Teams lFST5, a Fleet Information Warfare Center QFIWC5 detachment, a Naval Beach Group QNAVBEACHGRU5 detachment, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal QEOD5 detachment, and a Tactical Air Control Squadron QTACRON5. I The entire ATF-E team combined in the North Arabian Gulf with an Amphibious Task Force - West and two Amphibious Ready Groups to form Task Force FIVE ONE QTF 515 under Commander Amphibious Group THREE QCPG 35 for the duration of Operation Iraqi Freedom combat operations. CPR 8, the Naval Support Elements and the ships of ATF- E can rightfully take great pride in their contributions to Operation lraqi Freedom. Among the vital roles filled were: basing and support to Marine Corps aviation units flying combat sorties over Iraq, medical care for combat casualties, coordination for temporary at sea detainment and interrogation of enemy prisoners of war, and participation in Central Command's federated intelligence production. Two ATF-E ships, USS PONCE and USS GUNSTON HALL, were temporarily detached from ATF-E and given over to support naval mine countermeasure operations. GUNSTON HALL played a unique role by housing marine mammals fdolphins5 trained to hunt naval mines. It is a credit to the dedication and professionalism of each ATF-E unit and senrice member that these missions and more were accomplished safely and efficiently in the high operations tempo, high threat wartime environment of the North Arabian Gulf. af SHll S or ATFE - ' -' Yfniii 4lll hai' J 1 -' .hy Q' D . ,-11 - ' ilnjfigfx , . F- f . -I . 8- I, V 4 - Azz- w I. . N A. all ' rl USS KMHSRH 1 lllilleiil r ' S , ' -3- as, JM t v 4 I . uss b 1 , .fr , X - , so I we 55 - saw, N - rQ!'9 ' uss smm ruin-21 g W Y' . ' ' lim . USS Riiflllelrlif AW W C M l fl , , f I 9 g' 1 uss rom urn-151 f ' . ..... - ef t ' 6,1::is59.z?::14 -fi - . - . . g 555.35-. .fg-.5 , . 1- L 06:5--. ...lyk - .Q 'gy . rss 'A ' Q rn P' T ' - -Ufiiaff uss runruma . . 3,3-Q., p ,.g i' LI' +1 .iq . fir . I 't uss nuusrou um rlsu-ui

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