La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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- Iw USS LA SALLE was commissioned on 22 February 1964 as LPD 3 (amphibious transport dock) She was dedicated by Mrs. Victor Longstreet and since that cold day in New York Naval Shipyard the LA SALLE has ventured far and wide across the oceans Her history is fitted with naval firsts and intriguing ports of call From 1964 to 1972 the LA SALLE served as flagship for various commands including Amphibious Squadron SIX and FOUR In the spring of 1972, the LA SALLE was converted to AGF 3 (miscellaneous command ship) and was selected to replace the USS VALCOUR as flagship of Commander Middle East Force The LA SALLE ' S illustrious history includes her being the recovery ship to recover the first Gemini space capsule. She is the only ship, and the first ship of her size, to ever return a space capsule to Cape Kennedy. She Is the first U S Naval ship of the line to launch and recover the British built vertical takeoff and landing jet fighter (VTOL) ' Harrier ' Another first includes the dedication of her flight deck as Rogers Field , an honor accorded the LA SALLE by Miss Ginger Rogers The LA SALLE is 521 feet in length with a beam of 84 feet. Her total displacement with a full load is 13,820 tons. When fully ballasted, her draft IS 23 feet aft. She has two boilers, steam turbines and twin screws producing a maximum speed of 21 knots with 24,000 shaft horsepower. In the LPD configuration, the LA SALLE is capable of carrying 700 combat ready troops with a maximum of 4,500 tons of cargo and supplies. The mam deck aft is the flight deck and is capable of landing helicopters as well as VTOL aircraft As an AGF the ship enables Commander Middle East Force to carry out its mission The LA SALLEs distinction of being forward deployed in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf allow her to be the only U S Naval combatant ship to be painted white The AGF 3 is the second ship in the Navy to bear the name LA SALLE The first LA SALLE was a World War served in the Pacific Theater of operations and earned distinction in extensive action troop transport, which Because duty on the LA SALLE is classified as a hardship tour, the length of duty is one-year In addition to supporting Commander Middle East Force Staff, the LA SALLE is often called upon to provide miscellaneous services to destroyers and other ships which are periodically deployed or touring the Middle East In the harsh environment of the Middle East, the LA SALLE is like an oasis for smaller ships, providing them with numerous services and facilities And so. we have our cruise book title. Oasis

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USS LA SALLE (AGF 3)

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COMMANDER MIDDLE EAST FORCE REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM J. CROWE, JR