La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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'I 1 , 2 ' 1 I '. 'fix' .H , wg, -1 ' 5 ' '- 72111 1? 1 W 41,ifjQkii'??' ga ffitff 'fi' , ygwi r STATISTICS NEIVY DeS1gU3t10H AGF 3 Cformerly LPD 3? Vessel Type Miscellaneous Command ShlP Builder New York Naval Shipyard Brooklyn NY Keel Laid Apr1l2 1962 Launched August 3, 1963 Commissioned February 22 1964 Length 521 feet Beam 84 feet Draft 21 feet Displacement Cfull loadj 13,900 toI1S Steam Turbine C600 P59 Propulsion System Propellers Two Speed . 20 Knots fsustainedbl 21.6 Knots fIIlf1Xlll1UmJ Armament D 2 Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems Sh'P,S Company 470 enlisted and 31 offiC9l'5

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X fi 1 it It li L. ION fad wa po: llpi La 1 Q1 N451 011 lon for 1 U It gsh ln, I ill lift ubz 6 It 1 I 311 Can nw All 111211 LL 11211 ff whi' 31101 get 55,000 miles annually, calling on ports in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In 1979, LA SALLE assisted in the evacuation of 260 American and foreign national civilians from the Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas and became the focal point of U.S. activity in the Persian Gulf at the outset of the Iranian Hostage Crisis. In November 1980, LA SALLE was relieved by USS CORONADO CAGF 115 and retumed stateside for the first time in 8 V2 years. Upon arrival, LA SALLE began a major overhaul, adding an extensive electronics and communications package and replacing two 37' gun mounts with the MK 15 Close-In Weapons Systems CCIWSJ. LA SALLE returned to the Arabian Gulf and assumed flagship duties for COMIDNEASTFOR in June 1983. In 1984, LA SALLE embarked three CH-53 helicopters to conduct mine sweep operations in the Red t a . c a .CAP 1 O25 an 6, 1943. During . World War n, LA SALLE Served withBattle Stars, the Navy Occupa- A tionServiceMedal and the Philip- pine Republic Presidential Unit Cita- tion Badge. LA SALLE decommis- sioned on July 24, 1946, and its name was stricken from the Navy rolls on Augustl5, 1946. rl, 1 Sea in response to attempts to disrupt the free passage of shipping. In the beginning of 1986, La Salle conducted contingency operations off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden during the countryas civil war. In May 1987, LA SALLE provided the primary Fire Fighting Rescue Assistance and crew support to USS STARK CFFG 315 following the Iraqi missile attack. In September 1897, LA SALLE acted as the launch platform for the assault on the Iranian mine laying vessel Hlran Ajrv. Crews and assault craft from LA SALLE conducted the assault on the vessel and effected the detention of its crew while LA SALLE,s prize crews manned Hlran Afrf, In January 1991, LA SALLE assumed the responsibility of commanding and coordinating the multi-national Maritime Intercept Force during Gperation Desert Shield. During Operation Desert Storm, LA SALLE returned to the United States to begin a 17-month overhaul in preparation for its next assignment as the Sixth Fleet flagship. During the overhaul, LA SALLE received extensive upgrades to it communications, and command and control capabilities. A floating barge, utilized as crew living quarters and an office

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' K .1 Pl I F Fl it Q D3 Sli . I 19C ll ll I ff It I I If D I Ti pl! sit Tiff I complex, was fitted into the well deck and upper vehicle storage area of the flagship in order to support the staff of Sixth Fleet during LA SALLE's newest assignment as the Sixth Fleet flagship. Since assuming responsibilities as flagship on November 8, 1994, LA SALLE has proudly served throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas in its role of supporting COMSIXTHFLT and NATO Striking Forces South. Additionally, LA SALLE,s diplomatic role fostered goodwill and understanding between the United States and Western Asia, Middle Eastern and Southern European Mediterranean countries. After the tragic events of September llth, LA SALLE became fully engaged in the war on terrorism serving as SIXTH Fleetis big deck supporting Gperation Enduring Freedom. Late February 2003, USS LA SALLE deployed to support Commander Sixth Fleet in coordinating U.S. Forces in the Mediterranean during Operation IRAQI FREEDGM. In 2004, the message was released that USS LA SALLE CAGF 35 would be replaced by USS MOUNT WHITNEY CLCC 201 as the Sixth Fleet flagship and would be decommissioned in May 2005. In February 2005, LA SALLE left Italy for its final underway transit to America to begin its decommissioning. On May 27, 2005, USS LA SALLE CAGF 33 was decommissioned at a ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia.