Boxer ARG WESTPAC 03 Deployment
Amphibious Task Force West
LHD-4 Boxer
"Golden Gator"
The Boxer, left San Diego Jan. 17 for the Arabian Gulf and what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom. Boxer spent the first 100 days of deployment at sea before having its first break from operations in the port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, April 27, 2003.
Boxer was in the Arabian Gulf for the duration of Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting coalition air control and identification, and providing sea-based support to Marine aviation units and U.S. and coalition ships in the region. Crew members also participated in mine countermeasure and small boat operations.
Boxer personnel were involved in the night rescue of former POW Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch. The ship's intelligence specialists provided satellite imagery of the hospital and surrounding areas to Marine pilots who staged for the mission from Boxer.
On return from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sailors and Marines on Boxer visited Sydney and Townsville, Australia, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The deployment wrapped up with a Tiger Cruise from Pearl Harbor, with family and friends coming aboard the ship for the return transit to San Diego and a chance to experience life aboard a U.S. Navy ship.
On July 26, 2003 USS Boxer completed its longest deployment ever, spending 190 days away from its homeport of San Diego.
Chronology
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27 Jul 2003 - Returns to San Diego
25 Jul 2003 - Arrives Camp Pendleton
17 Jul 2003 - Departs Pearl Harbor
13 Jul 2003 - Port visit @ Pearl Harbor
24 Jun 2003 - Coral Sea
20 Jun 2003 - Port Visit @ Sydney
03 Jun 2003 - Indian Ocean
late May 2003 - Port call at Jebel Ali
19 Mar 2003 - OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
24 Feb 2003 - landing ops off Kuwait
?22 Feb 2003 - arrives Persian Gulf
17 Jan 2003 - deploys w/ ATF-W
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