New Orleans (LPH 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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ss' ,mWW WfWWf We s f W f NSN f lt was a beautiful, clear morning on Thursday, June 16, 1988, as the USS NEW ORLEANS QLPH 111 loosened her inoonnghnesandtneparedtogetundenvayforherdnneendi Western Pacific deployment, During this cruise the ship would celebrate her twentieth anniversary of commissioned service. Her role for this particular WESTPAC would be as flagship for Amphibious Readiness Group QARGD ALFA. Embarked aboard were both the Commander, Amphibious Squadron THREE, Captain Donald F. Santamaria and the Commander, Fifteenth Marine Expeditionary Unit CMEUD, Colonel Marvin T. I-lopgood. Together with the four other ships in the ARG: USS MOBILE QUQXUALUSSOGDENUPDSLUSSFORTMCHENRY QLSD 431 and USS FRESNO CLST 11821 in a force totalling over 5,000 sailors and Marines, the NEW ORLEANS steamed out of San Diego Harbor and began of the cruises of her career. was that W W f X fmff W W

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,fmfrff Pacific tion stabilized somewhat and the NEO was not required. On September 13, we setfout toward our original destina- tion of Subic Bay, arriving there on the 20th. NEW ORLEANS remained moored to Alava Pier at SRF for a full three weeks. On October 13, the ARG for its third major am- ibious exercise, VALIANT USHQR 89-1 lRPl, which we con- ducted jointly with elements ofthe Philippine Navy and Marine Corps. From the Philippines, NEW ORLEANS and company proceeded to Hong Kong where we planned to make a port visit on October 20th. However, Typhoon Pat was in the vicinity and ARG ALFA had to delay one day in order to assess the storm's progress. Luckily, Pat veered away and the ARG was able to make the October 21-23 port visit. Hong Kong's world renowned shopping districts allowed many of us the opportuni- ty to get some early Christmas shopping done for our friends and relatives back home. From I-long Kong it was on to Okinawa to prepare for the fourth major amphibious exercise of the de- ployment. On the way to Okinawa, weather again was a factor to contend with. ARG ALFA shifted its track from east of Taiwan ji .M '7 Zvember 16, NEW ORLEANS celebrated her twentieth anni- ,versary of commissioned service. On that day, holiday routine 'was implemented and a steel b held on the flight s . rirr . . . . uring the picnic, a special presentation ceremony in,,l'ionor of the anniversary was heldlfiilaptain Coumatos pre- sented the ship's Ensign to the ship'sl youngest sailor, BMSN Michael Turner, symbolizing the passing on of NEW OR- LEANS' proud traditions to those who will be the leaders of tomorrow. NEW ORLEANS stayed in Yokosuka for a brief upkeep period during the week of November 20-25. Unfortunately shopping bargains were not to be found in Japan as the ex- change rate bottomed out at 121 Yen to the Dollar. From Ja- pan, we began the long eastward voyage home. Our next desti- nation was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the last stop before San Die- go. On November 30, ARG ALFA chopped back into Third Fleet and bid farewell - for the time being at least - to the Western Pacific. As a result of crossing the International Date Line, all aboard had the unusual experience of having Thurs- day, December 1, occur twice. p ? westward into the Taiwan Strait in order to avoid Typhoon Ruby which had moved over the South China Sea. Unfortunate- of the typhoon and a high pressure system and twelve foot October 25th, ocean while ARG ALFA visited Pearl Harbor on On the 7th, several of the crew were able ny held at the USS ARIZONA 47th anniversary of the we embarked were all to f W f J X!!! .