La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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The History of On February 22, 1964, 23 months after its keel was laid at the New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York, the present USS La Salle was commissioned LPD 3. It joined its sister ships, USS Raleigh and USS Vancouver, as the third in a class of new am- phibious transports. As an Amphibious Transport Dock, La Salle's trademarks were mobility, flexibility and versatility. It had the capability to carry more than 800 combat-ready Marines at high speed to an area of amphibious operations. In addition, it transported ammunition, cargo, vehicles, and fuel to support the Marines. Within its well deck, which can be flooded, boats are carried to transport men and materials. The ojfloading of equipment and sup- plies is aided by the use ofa deck-mounted crane, elevators and con- veyors, plus a six-unit monorail, overhead crane system within the well deck. The flight deck is available for lijting men and supplies by helicopter. In keeping with her trademarks, La Salle 's operating schedule has been far from routine. In May 1965, it served as flagship for Com- mander, Amphibious Forces Atlantic during the Dominican Republic crisis. In December of the same year, it helped evacuate Construction Battalion 6 from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and carried 950 tons of equipment back to the United States, including 106 vehicles, 50 miscellaneous carriers and one 4 I -ton crane. In November 1966, it made history by being the hrst ship of its size to recover a Gemini capsule and the first ship ever to return a capsule to Cape Canaveral after recovery. In May 1969, it served as an ex- perimental launching plauform for the A V-8 Harrier aircraft, becom- ing one of the first ships to operate with the supersonic, vertical takeoj' and landing tactical fighter-bomber. Through 1971, La Salle served as an amphibious force flagship for various commands. Operating in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Mediterranean areas, it took part in numerous amphibious exercises with U.S. forces in conjunction with other NA TO navies. Selected to replace USS Valcour KAGF 12 as flagship for Com- mander, Middle East Force in January 1972, La Salle began an ex- tensive overhaul. New facilities were installed to suit its new role. It was oujitted with elaborate command communications equipment, a weather satellite receiver, additional air conditioning, a modern dental facility, sophisticated closed-circuit television systems, ac- commodations for an Admiral and his staff a helicopter hangar, and a ceremonial awning on its flight deck. 2 A