Tripoli (LPH 10) - Naval Cruise Book

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Arriving off the coast of Vietnam in June 1967, TRIPOLI delivered the first full squad- ron ofjet-powered CH-55 Sea Stallions heli- copters to operate in the war. The Ch-55A, the largest transport helicopter in the free world, could carry 58 combat-laden troops. The Landing Craft Air Cushion CLCACJ is the latest accomplishment in Amphibious War- fare technology. During WestPac 1987 TRIP- OLI served as flagship, under Commander, Amphibious Squadron FIVE, with the first forward deployed LCAC unit. tr wi- WMTWA1.. The Bell XV-15 tilt-rotor research aircraft is the embrionic stage of the new V-22 Osprey. The first XV-15 made its free hovering flight on 5 May 1977. Five years later, in 1982, TRIPOLI served as the first U.S. Navy plat- form for the testing of XV-15 on the open waters.

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OPERAT I O LLY . . . SEMPEK PRIHCEPS dhu.,,,,,h USS TRIPOLI departed the United States on her first West em Pacific deployment on May 1 1967 She arrived on sta tion near the Demllitarized Zone CDMZJ of Vietnam and served as flagship of Commander Amphibious Ready Group Bravo TRIPOLI launched eight full scale amphibious assaults against the insurgent communists guernlla forces and the North Vietnamese Regular Amly CRVNJ ln addition to her role as support ship for surface forces TRIPOLI also served as a medical base for the immediate evacuation and treatment of wounded personnel RECORD OF DEDICATED SERVICE Navy Unit Commendation glgxorgoualEsgncommendauon Smce 1967 TRIPOLI has proven herself to be a most versatile platfomi from which Natlonal Defense Servlce Medal mth Sta, she has launched helicopters AV 8 Harriers and a few firsts ln Naval history Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Stars Humanitarian Service Medal Sea Service Deployment with Star Phlhppme Presldentlal Umt Citation Au Border! 'TRIPOLI launched the largest Amphibious Assault since the Korean Con Ribbon Frame flict in 1950 dunng Operation BOLD MARINER in Vietnam Repubhc of Vletnam Mentorlous Unlt ' TRIPOLI launched the first helicopter squadron ln history to conduct mine Commendatlon qqanantry Cross Medal W! countermeasure operations dunng Operation END SWEEP in North Viet palmy nam s waterways from January 27 July 18 1975 RCPUDIIC of Vlefrlam MCYIIOYIOUS Umt ' TRIPOLI served as the testing platform for the XV 15 tilt wing rotor proto Commendation fClVlC Action 1st Class wj type palmi Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Clasp ' TRIPOLI launched the first CH 55A Squadron to be deployed to Vietnam TRIPOLI was the first amphibious ship to carry a full squadron of AV 8 flarners QVMA 5153 as she sailed to her destination off lwakuni Japan in 1974 OTHER DISTINGUISHED AWARDS TRIPOLI completed her twelfth Western Pacific deployment first to Melgh Burke Fleet Trophy 1979 include operational deployment of the Landing Craft Air Cusion CLCACJ. Admiral Flately Award for Aviation Safety frunner up 19793 n Q- r . 0 . - , . . I I n ' , I A ...qi . . n ' ' 2 . ' . I . . , 5 Hgh, QFW1 -A C N s x A e f , M tyunqnwxiliiif' If X .C C f wmswfw ' - l l ' 9 XX Il. U, ' 5 . . . I - V e , . . . l U I . . . . .. ,, . . , . . . ,, ,, . . , - I ' . I I . 'O'

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General Quarters, Manned and Ready Man Overboard Drill Oxygen Breathing Apparatus Training 6 KEADIIYESS . . . SEMPER PRINCEPS The mission of the United States Navy is manifold. ln the broadest and most classic sense, it is concerned with the protection and maintenance of the freedom of the seas. ln times of war, this is expanded to deny the use of the seas and the overlying air spaces to our enemies. During peacetime, the Navy maintains itself in a high state of readiness in order to respond to any degree of crisis or conflict. TRlPOLl's ongoing training and testing programs have proven their worth time and time again during sea trials, general quarters, material maintenance, and massive conflagration drills. '