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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USS KEAFr'SAHGElLl-ID 3l Xthird ship ofthe Wasp class multipurpose amphibious assault ships. Her primary mission is the embarkation, deployment, landing and support ofa Marine landing force. USS KBIHSAHGE and her sister ships are the first ships specifically designed to accommodate Air Cushion Landing Craft fLCACl for fast troop movement over the beach and Harrier Il fAV-8Bl VlSTOLfVerticaVShort Take Off and Landingl jets, which provide close-in air support for the assault force. Launched on March 26, 1992, she was christened KEARSARGE on Saturday, May 16, 1992, at Ingalls Shipbuilding by Mrs. Alma Powell, wife of General Colin L. Powell, USA, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. USS K54HSAHGEjoined the fleet October 16, 1993 during commissioning ceremonies in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is home ported in Norfolk, Virginia. KEARSARGE departed for her maiden deployment on March 22, 1995. KEARSARGE served as the primary platform for the rescue of Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady alter he was shot down over Bosnia. After the deployment, KB4RSAHGE served as the primary Navy unit participating in the 1995 New York City Veteran's Day activities, which marked our nation's final tribute to the 50th Anniversary ofthe end of World War ll. K54HSAFr'GE began her second deployment on April 15, 1997. She relieved USS Nassau QLHA 4l on station off the coast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo fformerly Zairel in support of Operation Guardian Retrieval on May 2, 1997. KEARSARGE was later directed to Freetown, Sierra Leone to conduct a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation in support of Operation Noble Obelisk. On May 31, she began evacuating American citizens and foreign nationals from Sierra Leone. During the four-day operation, KEARSARGE evacuated more than 2,500 Americans and foreign nationals from more than 40 countries. On April 17, 1999, KEARSARGE embarked on its third deployment. Performing a tumover with the NASSAU ARG while underway, KEARSARGE made best speed to the Adriatic Sea where she perfomred various operations off the coast of Kosovo, including Operation NOBLE ANVIUALLIED FORCE and establishment of Camp Hope in Fier, Albania. On June 7, Operation JOINT GUARDIAN began. The 26 MEU SOC was offloaded June 10 across Litokhoron Beach, Greece, for movement to Skopje, Macedonia. These U.S. Marines were the lirst peacekeeping force to enter Kosovo. Immediately following, KEARSARGE was ordered to Izmit, Turkey to provide support after the nation experienced a devastating earthquake that killed 12,000 people. On April 25, 2001, KEARSARGE began its fourth deployment, where the ship hosted the annual USO Gala in Naples, Italy, participated in several large amphibious operations lTrident D'Or, Alexander the Great and Albanian PHIBLEXJ, and provided support to the President of the United States during the G8 Summit in Genoa, Italy. On September 11, 2001, KEARSARGE was underway in the Mediterranean Sea as the World Trade Centers and Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. During this deployment, KEARSARGE visited 12 ports in seven different countries. KEARSARGE retumed home on October 15, 2001. On 8 January 2002 KEARSARGE entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a four-month Planned Maintenance Availability ttrat ended on 25 April that yean In July KEARSARGE made a port visit to Boston to participate in the annual Harborfest celebration over the 4 ' of July. On 10 October KEARSARGE participated in a unique exercise in the Gulf of Mexico to prove a new wpability ofthe multipurpose amphibious assault ship - to support mine sweeping capabilities. On January 12, 2003, with only 72 hours notice, KEARSARGE was deployed, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. lt was the ship's frlth deployment. On 20 March, hostilities commenced, the name ofthe engagement was changed to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Task Force Tarawa crossed into Iraq and went to wan On the way home from the deployment, KEARSARGE supported the President of the United States during his visits to Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan. Additionally, KEARSARGE was diverted from its homecoming track to the westem coast of Africa to support Operation SHINING EXPRESS. KEARSARGE retumed home on June 30, 2003. , USS KBIHSAHGE has been awarded Golden Anchor for Retention Excellence, Ronald Reagan Distinguished Service Award, the CNO Environmental Safety Award, Department of Energy I Department of the Navy Energy Efficient Awards, the Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic Safety Award, and proudly flies the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Pennant. Additionally, KEARSARGE has qualified for the following medals and unit awards: Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation itwo awardsl, Battle Efficiency E Award ifive awardsl, National Defense Service Medal ltwo awardsl, Kosovo Campaign Medalfwilh bronze starl, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon ffive awardsl, and the NATO Medal. KEARSARGE HISTORY! I I