Where is the uss kearsarge stationed

Mail issues delayed Frank E. Evans from receiving TF 76 Operation Plan A in a timely manner, and so she protected Iowa from enemy submarines as they made for the area.

The other bombardment ships pounded the enemy positions each day beginning on the 13th, but only on the following night did Iowa and Frank E. Evans finally reach the area. Attack Force, TF 76, formed to carry out Wrangler. The force comprised the Flagship Element, TE Despite the overwhelming firepower arrayed against the communist troops they resolutely engaged the ships, and guns in the northern part of Area No.

Evans at least 10—15 times, their splashes rising uncomfortably close until the ship turned her own guns on the artillery and silenced them. Enemy shore batteries fired several rounds that narrowly missed Perkins , but killed one man and wounded 17 more. Concrete evidence concerning large scale enemy movements to counter the landings failed to materialize in the following days.

Allied planners could not determine whether the lack of activity indicated communist mobility and command, control, communications, and intelligence difficulties, or resolve to await the outcome of the landings and strike at their advantage.

The bitter fighting for Hills and also partially shifted by the 15th when the enemy begrudgingly conceded UN possession of the crucial heights. Allied troops counted an estimated 2, Chinese dead in and around the battlefield as they enemy regrouped from the carnage. The fighting raged into November and UN desperately relied upon air and artillery support.

Bruce T. Crewmen saw Simonds float free of the sinking plane along the port side of the ship, his life vest apparently inflated but his parachute still strapped to his chest.

Helicopters and a destroyer rushed to the scene but inexplicably failed to locate any trace of the pilot. Investigators surmised that although the catapult otherwise appeared to function normally, a faulty bridle or plane catapult hook caused the bridle to come apart and the Skyraider fatally dropped over the bow. The ship reached that port and completed a shipyard availability and a period of rest for her exhausted men 20—27 October. Kearsarge attempted to cope with the rigors of the war by a variety of means and showed an average of 21 motion pictures per week.

Sailors also distributed a monthly average of copies of magazines around the ship. The carrier opened a hobby shop on 1 October, and men built so many of the model airplanes, ships, and boats offered that the store sold out its entire stock in two weeks. The stress of the Korean War and deployment far from home, however, also led the ship to increase her religious program to a total of 26 divine services held each week.

Many men found spiritual comfort in their gatherings in the midst of the horror of war. As far as the air operations are concerned, Kearsarge recorded a total of 1, catapult shots, aircraft launches from the port catapult and from the starboard, and 2, flight deck landings for the line period. Aircraft crashed into the barrier four times, and 22 cross-deck pendants were replaced. Aircraft flew 77 aerial photographic sorties and shot a total of reels of reconnaissance film, primarily target searches, route surveillance, and flak antiaircraft artillery studies, along with a limited number of damage assessments and call missions.

They furthermore recommended that carriers that embarked Banshee s should equip their tractors and tow-bars for towing aft. In addition, they counseled that handlers should two Panther s backward, especially under high wind conditions, and Kearsarge manufactured a two-bar for that purpose.

The ship could not have controlled the embarked jets without her Mk 10 identification friend or foe IFF , as the jets failed to show up on radars as often or not. The ship began her line period with four starter jeeps and VC brought a fifth, but two suffered mechanical issues at one point and their temporary loss seriously curtailed operations. Kearsarge experienced growing difficulty maintaining a watertight flight deck because of two main issues.

Jet blast melted the marine glue and blew loose the oakum permitting water to work below the wooden deck. The more serious problem occurred because of the apparent thinness of the steel decking below the wood. Whenever the leakage on the 02 level overheard became serious enough to justify tearing out the glass insulation to stop leaks by welding, men observed that the wood deck securing studs were shot through or close enough to steel, that whenever heavy aircraft moved the deck the stress caused the studs to work and leaks developed.

She underwent limited repairs to these issues at Yokosuka, but ultimately required more extensive work at a U. The enlisted men stood their daily CIC watches in three sections, two of them heavy with 24 men each, and one lighter with 14 men.

One heavy section worked two watches — and — , the other — and — , and the light section — The watch bill worked smoothly by ensuring that the largest number of sailors manned their stations during the busiest flight hours, and that CIC maintained continuity of operations since the watches changed when the fewest aircraft launched or recovered, as well as conformed to meal times. Radars and radios from other U. One or both of the winches experienced problems that impacted the ship loading ammunition on more than once occasion.

The Engineering Force laboriously repaired them but their maintenance issues proved exasperating, especially when the forward winch went down because of blown gaskets on 14 October, and Kearsarge consequently incurred trouble as she attempted to load cargo nets from ammunition ship Paricutin AE Although the crew eventually repaired the winches they observed that they operated slower than those of replenishment ships.

Kearsarge wrapped up the yard work and turned back to the fighting 28 October—1 November The ship reached the war zone on the 1st of the month but heavy seas restricted her to launch only 42 sorties. Panther s, Corsair s, and Skyraider s flew a coordinated strike to support allied soldiers fighting the communist troops along the front line.

Observers last saw Glisson enter an overcast and his jet crashed about ten miles from the shoreline. Antiaircraft fire hit Lt.

Richard G. Rider failed to recover from his dive. A division of jets would often precede the strike group into the target area by approximately 15—20 seconds and strafe from high altitude, and strafe and drop fragmentation bombs on gun positions identified by aerial reconnaissance.

The remaining aircraft would wait until they sighted the all but inevitable flashes from the enemy guns and then push over in section attacks. In the event that the enemy gunners held their fire or the pilots could not spot them, they would then fly flanking runs.

When Kearsarge sent smaller strike groups of eight planes or so, the flak suppressors would recover from their initial runs and tail in behind the last strike bomber to cover the propeller driven aircraft as they pulled up. The following day the weather improved and Kearsarge hurled 93 sorties against the enemy. Corsair s and Skyraider s attacked supplies and built-up areas behind the front line in the central sector as the ship sent sorties into battle.

She launched sorties on the 5th, and morning hecklers pounced on multiple trucks and rail cars, and jets damaged bridges, rail cars, and railroads, while Corsair s and Skyraider s again helped the hard-pressed men at the front. Low ceiling and limited visibility restricted the ship to 63 sorties on the 6th, but jets destroyed or damaged a number of buildings holding enemy supplies.

A Banshee BuNo of VF attempted to return to the ship but crashed the barrier and broke its port wing tip light. Kearsarge launched 93 sorties on 8 November Propeller driven aircraft coordinated with the jets to hit enemy heavy artillery positions along the front line in the central sector, but pilots reported that they flew through the heaviest flak they had encountered in the war to date. Foul weather over the target area hampered operations on the 9th and the carrier only sent 20 sorties into the air.

Corsair s and Skyraider s attacked troops and gun positions along the central front on 10 November, and jets destroyed a number of trucks and ox-carts traveling along the main supply route. Heavy weather to the north precluded planned strikes in those areas and aircraft flew 99 sorties from the ship. A weather front impacted operations over the following days but on the 15th Kearsarge sent 86 sorties against the communists. Planes and jets destroyed many ox-carts and a few trucks, supported troops at the front, and spotted naval gunfire salvoes along the coast.

Kearsarge launched 98 sorties on 17 November Hecklers that flew early that morning scored hits on a number of trucks and made two rail cuts, while other aircraft roared in against communist troops in the Chonjin area, and still others spotted for ships as they fired at the enemy.

Some of her strike aircraft flew against targets on the beach between Chonjin and the Soviet border on a course that could potentially render them vulnerable to the enemy fighters. The jets flew a formation of sections spaced abeam at feet, and with the wingmen four aircraft lengths to the outside of the section leaders, and well up on the beam. The Banshee s flew at 0.

Some of the Americans involved suspected that the enemy flew the first two Fagot s at lower altitude as bait in order to lure the patrol fighters into a trap. The Banshee s maneuvered to keep the other eight enemy jets in sight for about five minutes, and then turned from the fray on a northwesterly heading. The second section flew to starboard of the lead section. The leader ordered the second section to stand by for a break to starboard, and then began a right turn to intercept the enemy jets.

The communist pilots immediately broke off their attack to starboard before entering firing range, and climbed away from the Americans rapidly.

The ship then ordered the Banshee s to return on board. Throughout the incident the CAP jets managed to maintain an up-sun position, which gave them a marked visibility advantage. The day proved to be a busy one as another group of Navy pilots flying F9F-5 Panther s of VF from Oriskany tangled with seven enemy aircraft during the afternoon watch.

Royce Williams and Lt. John D. Middleton of that squadron claimed to splash at least two of the MiGs and damage two more.

Attacking alone when mechanical difficulties forced his section leader [Lt. Claire R. Elwood experienced a fuel boost pump failure] to retire, he scored a hit on one jet plane, causing it to burn and spiral into the sea and, continuing his runs, succeeding in inflicting heavy damage upon a second hostile aircraft which immediately retired from further action.

David M. Kearsarge hurled 97 sorties against the communist troops on 20 November Corsair s and Skyraider s flew close air support missions in direct support of UN soldiers locked in brutal combat with the enemy at the front in the central sector, principally the U. Robert C. The unrelenting fighting continued the following day on 22 November as the ship launched 96 sorties. Corsair s and Skyraider s attempted to take the pressure off the troops locked in battle along the front line in the central and western sectors, and concentrated on blasting enemy antiaircraft guns.

Night hecklers destroyed a locomotive and its train north of Hamhung, and separately ripped up a number of trucks in a convoy. Night hecklers damaged a locomotive and its train. Foul weather impacted operations on 25 November and the carrier launched only 60 sorties. Morning hecklers attempted to break through the harsh weather to determine the extent of the front and in the process damaged several enemy trucks. The weather cleared the next day on the 26th and Kearsarge launched sorties.

The weather seriously curtailed flight operations over the following fortnight, though a brief break on the 29th enabled Kearsarge to send sorties into the war. The impact nearly severed the blade, and fragments penetrated the wrap cowling, cowl flaps, and wing spar. The pilot nonetheless survived and unscathed and bravely battled to keep his aircraft airborne for nearly 15 minutes until he could locate and land at K, an emergency divert airfield ashore.

Maintainers counted holes in the Skyraider but determined that the armor plate saved the man from injury and the plane itself, and thus justified the added weight. Another Skyraider BuNo crashed the barrier when it returned to the ship, damaging its engine and propeller, as well as the port light and port wing.

In addition to the losses already listed antiaircraft fire damaged in varying degrees 22 aircraft that flew from the ship during this line period. An unusual accident occurred when a. Perplexed maintainers examined the aircraft and surmised that a hot barrel or a faulty projectile triggered the explosion, and the muzzle blast caused rivets in a large area of the wing to pop out. A potentially devastating problem affected the Mk. On two separate occasions the racks failed to latch properly and a bomb on each of the two aircraft jiggled loose and fell from the racks as the aircraft took off.

Kearsarge accomplished voyage repairs and upkeep at NOB Yokosuka and then steamed to the war zone 16—18 December Pilots flew 44 refresher sorties from the ship as she charted a course toward the fighting on the 17th.

Aircraft flew 58 sorties from Kearsarge as she returned to the Korean War on 18 December The ship pulled off the line to replenish on the 19th, and continued that routine during her deployment so that she did not launch sorties every day, though she and the other carriers took turns relieving each other to accomplish their refueling and reprovisioning.

Kearsarge launched 90 sorties on the 21st. Corsair s and Skyraider s hit enemy supply areas along the front lines in the western sector, and jets flew flak suppression runs during these missions. Propeller driven aircraft attacked enemy supply areas north of Pukchong, North Korea, the following day. Jets struck the main supply routes and both series of strikes destroyed trucks and ox-carts.

The ship launched a total of 97 sorties. Kearsarge sent sorties against the enemy two days before Christmas on 23 December. Jets covered the main supply routes and pilots on all the raids claimed to destroy a number of trucks and ox-carts.

Following an all too brief respite on Christmas Eve to replenish, the ship sadly marked the holiday itself by launching 44 sorties. Other aircraft flew close air support runs for soldiers along the central and western sectors of the front lines, and Corsair s and Skyraider s mauled supply areas behind the front. Pilots on multiple instances throughout the day claimed to destroy trucks and ox-carts.

A Corsair BuNo of VF suffered engine failure, most likely from a hit by antiaircraft fire, and ditched though the pilot survived. The 97 CVG sorties that day furthermore included Skyraider s that savaged a supply area west of the vital port, jets that bombed trucks and ox-carts as they attempted to supply the communist troops at the front, a strike against supply areas north of Hamhung, and missions to spot naval gunfire. Kearsarge launched sorties on 28 December, which included close air support of allied troops along the central sector of the front.

A Panther BuNo of VF suffered a flame out and the pilot ditched but rescuers retrieved him before he fell into enemy hands. James E. Searchers could not reach Lee in time and he was reported missing. Corsair s and Skyraider s hit supply and billeting areas in the vicinity of Unggi [Sonbong], North Korea.

Some of their targets lay along the North Korean border and provided an example of the tactical flexibility that Kearsarge offered the UN forces. Jets flew a special strike against enemy troops and their lines of communication in the vicinity of Hachon, North Korea. Jets flying from Kearsarge destroyed a number of rail cars and ox-carts.

The following day the carrier launched 83 sorties into the fray, and Corsair s and Skyraider s flew flak suppression and close air support runs for UN troops along the front in the western sector.

Kearsarge swung around the following day on 4 January and steamed to Hong Kong for a much needed port visit, where she moored to Buoy No. Some men took tours, and a troupe of Chinese entertainers staged a show on board for two nights that the crew thoroughly enjoyed. In addition to the aircraft the ship lost during the line period, enemy antiaircraft fire damaged 14 more.

Pilots and maintainers agreed that their aircraft machine guns performed better than during the previous line period, partially because they devoted time to servicing them while the ship lay at Yokosuka between line periods, and partially because she fought for a shorter time. Swenson DD escorted Kearsarge as she finished the liberty call in the British Crown Colony and steamed back to the fighting, often launching refresher sorties en route 16—29 January Hickey, ComCarDiv-5, broke his flag in the ship as the senior officer present afloat.

Hickey dismissed De Haven and Lyman K. Swenson on the 17th and the pair detached for additional operations. The seasoned aircraft carrier continued on her way independently until Laws DD rendezvoused with her on the 19th and they steamed back into the war together. At the following day they rejoined TF 77 and Rear Adm. Apollo Soucek, ComCarDiv-3, hoisted his flag in command of the task force.

Photographic and weather flights were employed in support of these missions as required. Corsair s and Skyraider s followed them aloft and bombed a supply area located in that war-torn port and another about ten miles northeast of Kumsong.

Los Angeles also joined the task force. Kearsarge launched 81 sorties the following day. A Panther accidentally discharged a single round of 20 millimeter ammunition as the jet made a normal landing but the round struck and killed AB3 Kay S. Platt, a plane director, as he worked on the flight deck. A strike package of jets bombed a supply area near Kumdong-ni. Antiaircraft fire apparently hit Cmdr. Denny P. Phillips was well liked and his loss dealt a heavy blow to VF, but Lt.

Lawrence E. Flint assumed command of the squadron. Other aircraft furnished aerial spotting for the ships firing at the enemy from off that port. Other propeller driven planes assailed communist supply areas in the vicinity of Kock-a-ri, Nowam-ni, Obok-tong, and Paktal. One jet strike attacked a supply area near Kanbalgo-ri.

A Banshee slammed into the barricade while returning from a raid. The jet careened into the barrier at 70 knots and one of the barrier cables sheared off the port landing gear mere moments before the Banshee hit the barricade. Eight engaging straps contacted the port wing and ten the starboard wing, and the purchase cable ran out nearly 60 feet. The impact severely damaged the jet but the pilot emerged from the crash unharmed.

Los Angeles detached from the task force when the ships pulled off the line and replenished on the 24th. Missouri BB briefly joined the task force for a few hours on the 25th as 95 sorties hurtled aloft from Kearsarge. Kearsarge launched sorties on 26 January Other aircraft struck supply areas in the locality of Hwagye-ri, Sagiri, and Sosang-ni. Los Angeles rejoined the task force and Toledo briefly steamed with the ships before swinging around for other operations, though not before helicopter UP lifted off from Kearsarge and transferred to the latter cruiser.

Foul weather hampered operations on and the ship only launched 61 sorties on 28 January. Night hecklers searched for enemy infiltrators along the coastal routes north and south of the port. Francis C. Rochester CA joined the task force.

Vice Adm. Clark gamely boarded a helo on Missouri and it flew him over to Kearsarge for a conference. A Skyraider then flew him ashore to K airfield for an additional high level meeting.

The plane returned Clark to Kearsarge , from which deck a help returned the busy admiral to the battleship. On the 30th Kearsarge returned to the line and resumed launching strikes but only sent 42 sorties into the air because of the ongoing inclement weather.

Missouri and Rochester separately detached from the task force for other duties. Aircraft spotted naval gunfire salvoes for the bombardment group off the latter city, where Corsair s and Skyraider s also hit supply and billeting areas.

Philippine Sea CVA joined the task force. Other aircraft bombed supply areas near Pyong-ni, or spotted naval gunfire shoots at Hunghan. Jets bombed supply nodes and stockpiles at Chukkun-ni, Taemok, Tokso-dong, and Yongung-ni. Aircraft flew 94 sorties from Kearsarge on 2 February.

Jets protected aircraft that struck supply areas at Pangokch-on and Pungsan. Strikes also targeted logistics areas at Sinpo, Songdong, and Tongyang, and troop and billeting zones in the vicinity of Somy-on and Tanchon.

Rochester briefly steamed with TF 77, and Toledo did so the following day as the ships replenished. Morning jet and propeller driven aircraft packages struck supply areas in the Hamhung area. Aircraft supported troops along the front in the central sector, and raids assaulted logistics nodes at Hungnam and Kilchu. One division of planes bombed supply and billeting areas near Pokchong.

The winter weather halted flight operations the following day on the 5th and the ship only launched two sorties. She sent a single strike group of 35 sorties to attack targets in the Hamhung-Hungnam area on the 6th, and the next day only a trio of sorties took off from the flight deck. Antiaircraft fire shot down Lt. Donald H. Hagge failed to return from the raid and although some of the other men in the flight believed they saw his parachute stream from the plane, he apparently did not escape the aircraft in time.

Jets attacked targets on the main supply routes in the northern sectors, and troop and supply shelters at Pukchong and Sambong. Corsair s and Skyraider s flew close air support for frontline soldiers in the eastern sector.

A strike also tore into supply buildings at Hungnam and Wapori. Propeller-driven aircraft hit supply areas north of Chongjin, and jets struck logistics areas in the vicinity of Hoerhong, Komusan, and Purongdong. Toledo departed from the task force but Los Angeles rejoined the formation. John R. Jets fulfilled the dangerous role of suppressing flak batteries so that propeller driven aircraft could accomplish their deadly work.

One strike hit a supply area west of Majon-ni. Other strikes hit supply areas south of Andori and near Chang-jin. One raid attacked enemy soldiers, supplies, and build-up areas near Kosong. Jets and planes bombed rail lines north of Songjin. A helicopter flew Vice Adm. Clark from Missouri to Kearsarge during the forenoon watch on 22 February Kidd shepherded Kearsarge as the carrier came about from the Korean War at and steamed toward Japanese waters.

The following morning the ship launched nine jets and 26 propeller driven aircraft to NAS Atsugi, Japan. She refueled Kidd that afternoon and the destroyer then detached and the carrier proceeded independently. Kearsarge completed voyage repairs and upkeep at Yokosuka 25—28 February , turned over to Princeton , and at on the 28th charted a course for the United States, returning to her home-port of San Diego on 17 March. From 14 September to 25 February , this Air Group spent two eight 8 day and one 10 day periods in port.

However, the results obtained by this Air Group at all times speak for themselves. The average on board count of enlisted men numbered 2, sailors and 60 marines, and the ship transferred 23 Navy enlisted men and received While the ship fought in the Korean War during the deployment 16 September —22 February , aircraft flew 7, sorties including refresher from the carrier, of which aborted.

Kearsarge refueled destroyers 36 times, ten of them at night, and also at times transferred 56 passengers plus freight and mail a number of times. Kearsarge and her air group returned to San Diego on 18 January , to resume training operations off California. Savo Island never returned to active service so Oriskany stood in for her during most of the shooting. Oriskany required an overhaul, however, and Kearsarge briefly relieved her for some of the exterior sequences. Sailors painted over her identification number of 33 to 34 in order to maintain the continuity of the previous shots involving Oriskany.

Kearsarge also took part in the filming of the motion picture The Caine Mutiny in the San Diego area in Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. Richard B. Anderson DD also appears in the film.

The communist Chinese triggered the First Taiwan Strait Crisis when they assaulted and captured the Yijiangshan Islands, which rise not far from the Chinese mainland, from the Nationalists 18—20 January The Nationalists had held the islands ever since the communists drove them from the mainland in , and their loss led Congress to pass the Formosa Resolution, a joint resolution that President Dwight D.

Eisenhower signed on 29 January, which attempted to keep the two Chinas from lunging at each other, and which enabled President Eisenhower to deploy U.

The Seventh Fleet, Vice Adm. Alfred M. Pride, used vessels and nearly aircraft to evacuate approximately 10, Nationalist regulars and 4, guerilla fighters, along with 14, civilians 6—13 February On 9 February the only U. The Skyraider ditched after sustaining damage, and Nationalist Chinese patrol boats rescued the three-man crew. Following the evacuation the communists landed and occupied the abandoned islands.

Her cruise ended at San Diego on 12 May Kearsarge operated for the next several years on the annual deployment schedule to the Far East and training operations off California. Kearsarge in the meantime underwent substantial improvements in the form of the SCB program.

She turned westward again, this time with ATG-3 on board, for another round of patrols and port visits across the Western Pacific 9 August —2 April The ship was fitted out as an antisubmarine warfare support carrier during the summer of , a role for which she was reclassified to CVS on 1 October Following intensive training in her new task, the carrier sailed for Seventh Fleet operations in the Far East on 5 September Typhoon Vera grew into a powerful tempest that devastated the Japanese home islands in the last two weeks of September Storm surges swamped vessels and overwhelmed seawalls and levees, landslides swept over communities, and multiple buildings collapsed, crushing or trapping the people within.

Vera killed and injured tens of thousands of people and rendered more than a million homeless. Kearsarge entered the port of Nagoya in the wake of the typhoon and supported relief operations 29 September—6 October.

Her aircraft landed parties of medical staff and supplies, while her crew and air group donated clothing and money to the distressed people. Three days later in stormy waters about 1, miles off Wake Island she rescued four Soviets after they drifted 49 days in a disabled landing craft. The Soviet Union thanked the carrier for her humanitarian gesture.

A year of training operations witnessed Kearsarge steaming in company with a number of other ships at times including John A.

The training prepared the ship for her next deployment from San Diego on 3 March Ongoing attacks by communist Pathet Laotian insurgents threatened the stability of the royalist regime in Laos and the Seventh Fleet dispatched ships to the South China Sea to monitor the fighting on 21 March.

Aircraft flew reconnaissance missions over Laos. The rival factions signed a cease fire later in the month, which enabled the carriers to come about on 5 May. Following six months in the Far East, Kearsarge arrived at Puget Sound on 1 November for the second phase of her modernization. Upon completing that work, voyage repairs, and training, Kearsarge departed Long Beach, Calif.

Walter M. Helicopters dropped swimmers near the capsule and Kearsarge hoisted Sigma 7 and Schirra on board the carrier. Kearsarge returned Schirra to Honolulu, H. The ship refueled and provisioned and then turned seaward escorted by Fletcher DD The capsule impacted within 7, yards of primary recovery ship Kearsarge , which retrieved the spacecraft and the astronaut—swimmers dropped from helicopters to fix the flotation collar and retrieve the antenna fairing.

Additional ships that supported the operation included Wasp in the Atlantic. Kearsarge returned Cooper to Pearl Harbor. The ship departed on 4 June on her eighth cruise to the Far East, and while operating with the Seventh Fleet she kept watch on the fighting in Southeast Asia. Kearsarge returned to Long Beach on 3 December and took part in training exercises off California.

Six months later, on 19 June , the antisubmarine carrier deployed on her ninth Far Eastern cruise. Following the initial clashes President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered retaliatory air strikes and the U. The attacks sank or damaged a number of vessels and destroyed petroleum stores and storage facilities. Antiaircraft fire shot down two aircraft over Hon Gai. Kearsarge returned to Long Beach on 16 December , and after an overhaul during the first half of , operated off the west coast.

Eli T. The carrier joined Frank E. Evans in mid-day, and they sailed with Everett F. Larson DD and James E. Kyes DD The Kearsarge then transferred 60 pallets to Bataan to fully stock their ordnance in preparation for their upcoming deployment.

February 16, Capt. James Gregorski relieved Capt. March 14, The amphibious assault ship completed a three-day sea trials following major repairs to 2 low pressure turbine and an extensive maintenance availability period.

September 11, The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group recently entered the Arabian Gulf after a brief stop in Djibouti to provide humanitarian supplies to two charities through the Navy's program "Project Handclasp. November 23, USS Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Bangladesh to assist in relief efforts, after a cyclone Sidr struck the southern coast and killed more than 3, people and displaced at least two million others on Nov.

More than , lbs. September 6, The amphibious assault ship departed for Haiti to assist with relief efforts in areas affected by flooding due to tropical storm activity in the Caribbean. To date, helicopters and landing craft embarked aboard Kearsarge have delivered more than 1, metric tons of relief supplies, including 26, gallons of water to devastated communities isolated by damaged roads and bridges.

September 26, The Kearsarge departed Haiti after completing a day disaster relief mission in the storm-ravaged Caribbean nation. She will remain in the region through November and will continue her humanitarian assistance mission during scheduled visits to the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

October 25, The amphibious assault ship arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for a goodwill port visit. During the deployment, the CP medical contingent of more than joint military and international military medical professionals and non-governmental organizations, worked along side host nation officials to treat more than 47, primary care patients, dispense more than 81, prescriptions, provide veterinary care to nearly 5, animals and conduct more than , medical, dental and optometric services.

December 2 , USS Kearsarge returned to homeport after a four-month underway period. May 16, The Kearsarge opened her brow to Norfolk Naval Shipyard NNSY workers and their families for a unique tour of the ship while undergoing an month maintenance period. The ship is scheduled to remain in dry-dock throughout the summer, after which it will begin sea trials prior to a deployment.

The project team replaced six sections of shafts, removed the port rudder for bearing repairs and installed two new propellers. Work also included boiler inspections and repairs; valve repairs; the installation of a low pressure turbine rotor, a new boat davit and stern flap; and the replacement of old bunks and lockers. The team also performed underwater hull and freeboard blasting and preservation as well as elevator and stern gate work.

In addition, flight deck non-skid, a fuel-oil compensating system, and several electronic and communications components were installed.

January 12, The Kearsarge recently underway for sea trials off the coast of Virginia; Returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway on Feb. February 26 , Capt. Baxter A. Goodly relieved Capt. Walter L. March 23, The amphibious assault ship is currently underway for routine training. Jarrod L. Klement ejected from the plane and his condition is stable. The ARG was originally scheduled to deploy in September but the departure was moved up because of the massive flooding in Pakistan, which so far has claimed 1, lives and affected nearly 20 million.

January 6, Following a request by the commander of United States Forces Afghanistan, in coordination with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the commander of U. Central Command, Gen. James N. More than 1, MEU Marines and sailors are expected to move into Helmand province by the end of January to provide greater security and support the infrastructure development needed in the region.

Central Command region into the Mediterranean Sea to provide the capability for evacuation or humanitarian aid as response to the unrest in Libya.

Security Council Resolution , which is centered on protecting Libyan citizens from any further harm from Libyan regime. He was returned to USS Kearsarge in good condition.

The weapons officer Capt. Tyler "Mask" Stark was later recovered by Libyan rebel fighters, who took him to a safe house. June 30 , Capt. Dorian F. Jones relieved Capt. November 30, The Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway for sea trials.

January 6, LHD 3 departed Norfolk to conduct crew certifications in preparation for future amphibious operations. January 30, USS Kearsarge departed homeport to participate in the largest joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise, in the past ten years, Bold Alligator between the Marine Corps and Navy amphibious forces.

March 2, The amphibious assault ship underway again for crew certifications and traininig. Underway again for ATG 2. December 21 , Capt. Fredrick J. Nielsen relieved Capt. Peary T-AKE 5.

Navy ship in 14 years. May 27, USS Kearsarge recently anchored off the coast of Djibouti to offload Marines and equipment at Arta Beach for several weeks of trainings and exercises with the French military. Transited Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound on June 2. August 13, Capt. James P. Cody relieved Capt. John B. October 18, LHD 3 moored at Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a six-day port call to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment.

May 16, Capt. David L. Bossert relieved Capt. Underway for well deck certification from July Aug. November 25 , Capt. Lawrence G. Getz relieved Capt. Bossert as CO of the Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship. December 6, The Kearsarge conducted deck landing qualifications with two U. Bureau , suffered a Class "A" mishap after experiencing a catastrophic engine failure during takeoff procedure, while the USS Kearsarge was underway in the Arabian Gulf.

Firefighters helped the pilot out of the aircraft and extinguished the fire within minutes. Work is expected to be completed by February June 30, A female Sailor was critically injured after falling down an elevator shaft aboard the Kearsarge. She was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and is listed in critical condition. June 9 , Capt. David K. Guluzian relieved Capt. Getz as the 17th CO of Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Pier July 14, Rear Adm.

Jesse A. Wilson, Jr. Patrick A. Virgin Islands on Sept. September 22, The Kearsarge recently arrived off the coast of Puerto Rico to provide humanitarian relief efforts after a Category 4 Hurricane Maria made landfall early Wednesday. March 9, Rear Adm. Skillman relieved Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Cruise Terminal in downtown New Orleans from April Areas; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Florence on Sept.

Area on Sept.