Tarawa ESG WESTPAC 98 Deployment
LHA-1 Tarawa
"Eagle of the Sea"
The Tarawa ARG departed on Feb. 7, 1998 for a six-month deployment. Prior to its deployment the Tarawa took part in 3rd Fleets SOCEX 98-1 which began on December 02, 1997 and continued through December 12.
The Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Arabian Gulf March 11, 1998. USS Tarawa, USS Denver and USS Mount Vernon relieved the USS Guam (LPH-9) ARG to continue the commitment to security and stability in the region. The ARG's primary mission was to provide a platform for launching and sustaining the 11th MEU during hostilities, contingency or humanitarian operations. USS Tarawa acted as the flagship for the three-ship force and has a 300-bed medical facility with complete surgical suites.
While participating in joint exercises with Jordanian armed forces, Tarawa was diverted to the Red Sea African nation of Eritrea to evacuate American citizens from the U.S. embassy there. During the Eritrean-Ethiopian hostilities, more than 200 Americans were safely rescued. Tarawa returned to San Diego in August, 1998 and was awarded her second Secretary of the Navy Energy Conservation Award.
Chronology
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Aug 1998 - Returned to San Diego
11 Mar 1998 - Arrived in the Arabian Gulf
07 Feb 1998 - Deployed for WESTPAC 1998
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