La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

i : - LA SALLE ' S MISSION As a forward deployed unit, LA SALLE ' s primary mission was to provide flagship facilities and sup- port for Commander Middle East Force (COMIDEASTFOR) and his staff. LA SALLE was also tasked to support the mission of COMIDEAST- FOR by fostering goodwill and understanding between the United States, Middle East and Western Indian Ocean countries through port visits, joint naval training exercises and operations. Additionally, LA SALLE provided logistical and other support within her capability to other U.S. Naval units assigned to COMIDEASTFOR. THE FIRST LA SALLE The first ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name LA SALLE, a troop transport, was commissioned on March 31, 1943 as U8S HOTSPUR (AP-1C)2). Her name was changed to LA SALLE on April 6th. During the war she served with distinction in the Pacific, earning eight Battle Stars, the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the Philippine Republic Pre- sidential Unit Citation Badge. She was decommissioned on July 24, 1946, and her name was stricken from the Navy rolls on August 15th, that same year. LA SALLE ' S NAME Amphibious Transport Docks (LPD ' S) are named for cities which take their names from explorers and developers of the United States. Thus LA SALLE is named after La Salle, Illinois, which took its name from the French explorer Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle. THE IRANIAN CRISIS The Iranian crisis and the Iran-Iraq War brought about a dramatic increase in the command and support responsibilities of LA SALLE. All divisions and personnel were affected by the increased work load. Commun- ications increased many fold, along with underway time and support requirements. From November 1979 - November 1980, LA SALLE transferred over 7 million gallons of fuel and her helo logged over 1100 flight hours, 2,800 passenger transfers, and received 70.8 tons of mail. The only reduction experienced was in the number of port visits LA SALLE was allowed to make. Only one port visit was made outside the Persian Gulf aft er the crisis began, until LA SALLE was relieved in November 1980. THE GREAT WHITE GHOST OF THE ARABIAN COAST