La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDIMG Brent M. Bennitt Captain February 1985 - April 1986 Captain Brent M. Bennitt, a native of Muskegon, Michigan, received his commission in 1964 upon graduation from the U.S. Maval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Maval Science degree and grad- uated with honors. He was designated a Maval Aviator in December 1963. A veteran pilot, Captain Bennitt flew 22 1 combat missions in Vietnam and has served as a Mavy test pilot and flight test instructor. His career has includ- ed tours with several attack squadrons, serving as Commanding OfRcer of Attack Squadron 105. He has served as riag Lieutenant and personal aide to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, and prior to com- mand of LA SALLE, he was Executive Officer of USS niMITZ (CVn 68). Among Captain Bennitt ' s awards are the Air Med- al (three individual awards, 17 strike awards), Mavy Commendation Medal with Combat V (three awards), Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross, Mavy Unit Commen- dation, Vietnamese Meritorious Unit Commenda- tion, Queen ' s Commendation for meritorious achievement in aerial flight (United Kingdom) and the Mavy Expeditionary Medal for service in Lebanon. He is a member ofthe International Society of Experi- mental Test Pilots. Captain Bennitt is married to the former Beverly Brumfield of Kansas City, Missouri. The Bennitts have a daughter, Sarah. .1 - m .

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crew was awarded the Mavy Expeditionary Medal. In November 1980, LA SALLE was relieved as flagship for Commander, Middle East Force by USS COROriADO (AGFll). While returning to the United States for the first time in over eight years, LA SALLE ' S crew rescued six Norwegian merchant mar- iners from their burning vessel, which was off the coast of Sardinia. Shortly after her arrival stateside in December 1980, LA SALLE began an extensive $60 million overhaul at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Again, many changes were made to the ship, including a sig- nificant increase in air conditioning equipment, re- placing and upgrading the ship ' s four turbine gen- erators, adding a large electronics package, remov- ing two 3750 caliber anti-aircraft guns and replacing them with the Phalanx Close-in Weapons System. The overhaul was one of the largest and most expen- sive for a Navy non-carrier type ship. After a period of trials and training in the western Atlantic, LA SALLE returned to the Arabian Gulf in June 1983, and resumed her duties as flagship for Commander, Middle East Force. La Salle ' s Mission As a forward deployed unit, LA SALLE ' S primary mission is to provide flagship facilities and support for Commander, Middle East Force (COMIDEAST- FOR) by fostering goodwill and understanding be- tween the United States, Middle East, and Western In- dian Ocean countries through port visits, joint naval training exercises, and operations. Additionally, LA SALLE provides logistical and other support within her capability to other U.S. Naval Units assigned un- der COMIDEASTFOR. The Middle East and Western Indian Ocean coun- tries are an area of global interest both economically and politically. Commander, Middle East Force and LA SALLE play a significant role in the advancement of U.S. interests in this volatile part of the world and receive the attention of the highest government offi- cials. The Ship ' s Crest The ship ' s crest combines features relating to the explorer, the city and the ships mission. Its up- per right corner bears the charges from the coat-of- arms of LA SALLE ' S family, an eight point star and a rabbit. The fort, on the lower left side represents Fort St. Louis, which was built by Sier de la Salle in 1 628 on the banks of the Illinois River. The elevated ground on which the fort stands is Known as Starved Rock. The city of La Salle is not far from the site of this fort. The background anchor symbolizes the Navy and the sea; the motto across the anchor ' s base, Tacilitas Ad Marem, translates as Versatility at Sea. 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.

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orncERS Hubert F. Tahaney, Jr. Captain April 1986 - Present Captain Tahaney received his commission through the Officer Candidate Program in December 1962 after graduating from St. Peter ' s College in Mew Jersey with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He also holds a Master of Science Degree from George Washington University. His sea assignments have included duty on the USS CHARLES BERRY (DD 1035), USS SPROSTOPi (DD 577), as a shipboard advisor to the Vietnamese Mavy, as Aide Flag Secretary on StafT, COMSERVGRU Three CTF 73, Executive Officer of USS SAMPLE (FF1048), Commanding Officer of USS SAn BER- nARDinO (LST 1189) and Chief Staff Officer, COM- PHIBROM Seven. Other assignments have been duty as a student at the Maval Destroyer School, and at the naval War College, Command and Staff Course, in the Bureau of Maval Personnel, Enlisted Distribution Branch, on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific rieet, and most recently as Readiness and Training Officer on the staff of Commander naval Surface Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat V, Mavy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon and the navy Expedi- tionary Medal. Captain Tahaney is married to the former Mary Lynn Bliss of Port Huron, Michigan. The Tahaneys have two children, Kathleen and Patrick.