Boxer Surge WESTPAC 05 Deployment
LHD-4 Boxer
"Golden Gator"

For the third time in three years, USS Boxer (LHD 4), commanded by Capt. Thomas J. Culora, left on deployment April 29 to support U.S. national security objectives overseas. Boxer will be training with U.S. allies in many parts of the world during this deployment, strengthening multinational efforts to fight the war on terrorism and prepare for future emergencies. Boxer's readiness to fulfill this mission is a clear demonstration of the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Fleet Response Plan (FRP) in action.

USS Boxer (LHD 4) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) enjoyed a four-day port visit in the "land down under" in the city of Darwin, Australia, May 30-June 3. While in Darwin, Boxer prepared for its upcoming involvement in Exercise Talisman Saber 2005 and was embarked by more than 80 Australian service members.

USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), and USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrived in Townsville, Australia, June 8 in order to prepare for their upcoming biennial exercise, Talisman Saber 2005, a joint exercise between U.S. and Australian forces. While in Townsville, Boxer will embark 700 Australian service members. The group will then proceed to the Shoalwater Bay training area near Rockhampton in the coming week to begin Exercise Talisman Saber. 16,000 Australian and U.S. service members will cooperate during Talisman Saber to complete a command post exercise (CPX), field training exercise (FTX) and a strategic air drop. The event will allow for Australian and American military personnel to build interoperability between units who do not normally work together.

USS Boxer (LHD 4) completed a two-day port visit to Singapore July 5. The visit gave the more than 1,200 Sailors embarked on Boxer a chance to enjoy the sights and cultures of Singapore while the ship took on stores and made personnel changes before continuing on to participate in exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).

USS Boxer (LHD 4) departed Kemaman, Malaysia, July 12 after a four-day visit for the in-port phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). While here, Sailors took time to experience the local culture.

The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), commanded by Capt. Thomas J. Culora, returned to Okinawa July 30 to prepare for the third annual Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX), which emphasizes training to support stability throughout the Asian-Pacific region.

JASEX will be the third major exercise Boxer has participated in since it began its deployment. Boxer previously participated in exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), a multinational exercise designed to increase interoperability between the nations involved. Boxer began its deployment with exercise Talisman Saber 2005, an exercise geared towards U.S. and Australian force integration

USS Boxer (LHD 4) began the third annual Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX) Aug. 7 with an armed flight deck of five AV-8B Harrier IIs and a team of 87 Marines from 1st Marine Air Wing. The Marines joined the more than 1,200 crew members aboard the "Golden Gator" specifically for the exercise.

USS Boxer (LHD 4) came closer to putting a final stamp on an exercise-intensive deployment in U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operation when it left Sasebo Aug. 17. The San Diego-based Boxer, which first visited Sasebo May 17, participated with forward-deployed ships and embarked 7th Fleet staff at different junctures. During three successful exercises - Talisman Saber 2005, the Malaysian phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), and Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX) 2005 - Boxer showed its pride and skill.

Boxer is a proud example of the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Fleet Response Plan (FRP), which employs mission-ready ships on a surge deployment basis that is outside the traditional deployment schedule. Boxer's surge capabilities allowed it to augment exercises in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) while USS Essex (LHD 2) underwent a Ship's Restricted Availability period (SRA) after its recent eight-month deployment to the Persian Gulf to assist in Operation Iraqi Freedom and provide relief in Sumatra, Indonesia, following the Dec. 26 tsunami in Southeast Asia.

After stopping in Hawaii for a one-day port visit, USS Boxer (LHD 4), commanded by Capt. Thomas J. Culora, departed Pearl Harbor Sept. 7 and began the final leg of her journey home. While in Pearl Harbor, Boxer's crew picked up family and friends who will accompany them en route to the ship's homeport in San Diego during a seven-day "Tiger Cruise." A "Tiger Cruise" is an opportunity for Sailors' family and friends to experience a week of Navy life underway. Tigers learn about all aspects of the ship by completing tailored qualifications and going on tours.

USS Boxer (LHD 4) returned to its homeport of San Diego Sept. 14, after a four-and-a-half-month surge deployment.