LPH-11 New Orleans
The third New Orleans was laid down 1 March 1966 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, P hiladelphia, Pa.; launched 3 February 1968 sponsored by Mrs. Arthur A. de la Houssaye and commissioned 16 November 1968, Captain G. M. Even in command. Decommissioned 1 October 1997, stricken 23 October 1998. Currently berthed with the Suisan Bay Reserve Fleet at Benecia CA. Awaiting disposal.
The USS New Orleans (LPH 11) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (special operations capable) (MEU (SOC)) returned home on 22 December 1995 with more than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from a Western Pacific (WestPac) deployment.
While deployed, the New Orleans ARG participated in Exercises Infinite Moonlight 95, in Jordan; Eager Mace 96-1, in Kuwait, and Neon Falcon in Bahrain. Crew members from ARG ships New Orleans, USS Juneau (LPD 10), USS Comstock (LSD 45) and USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39) also conducted more than 20 community projects in four countries.
The first stop for the New Orleans ARG was Okinawa, Japan, where they exercised the Navy/Marine Corps team's ability to project combat power ashore.
After Okinawa, the ships visited Hong Kong, then went to Singapore for five days of maintenance and training.
The New Orleans ARG departed Singapore for its first stop in the 5th Fleet area -- Aqaba, Jordan. The four ships arrived in the seaport city to conduct Exercise Infinite Moonlight 95.
The ships had not even moored before the off-loading began. Helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 164 began to off-load Marines and equipment to the Al Qatranah training area, 194 miles from Aqaba. Once pierside, the ships continued off-loading entirely by ships' cranes in under 21 hours. Approximately 1,600 Marines made the trek inland, where they endured 100-degree temperatures during 10 days of training.
While ashore with Jordanian soldiers, 11th MEU(SOC) Marines established 14 live-fire ranges and conducted 113 separate live- fire events with their counterparts. The field operations wrapped up with a combined U.S.-Jordanian brigade level live-fire exercise.
The ARG then set sail for its next stop, Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. This port visit was the first opportunity for the ARG to conduct major maintenance since it departed San Diego. Sailors and Marines worked hard to repair equipment, conduct preventive maintenance and build positive Arab-American relations through the completion of 10 community projects.
After completion of all maintenance, the New Orleans ARG headed toward Kuwait City, Kuwait, to conduct Exercise Eager Mace 96-1, a 19-day U.S. and Kuwaiti exercise. During the exercise, KC-130 aircraft from Marine Fixed Wing Aerial Refueling Squadron 352 conducted the first in-flight refueling of Kuwaiti F/A-18s.
While Marines conducted the exercise, the ships of the New Orleans ARG participated in Exercise Reliant Rescue designed by Amphibious Squadron 7 and Carrier Group 5 staff to develop the blueprint for ARG/carrier battle group (CVBG) interoperability. This exercise was the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf and will form the basis for future 5th Fleet ARG/CVBG operations.
Members of the ARG Naval Special Warfare Task Unit (NSWTU) and Marine forces also participated in Exercise Neon Falcon, helping test and develop Bahrain's self defense capabilities. The highlight of the exercise, and a first in the Arabian Gulf, was pierside and at-sea dry deck shelter launch and recovery training on board a fleet submarine by 11th MEU(SOC)'s Force Reconnaissance Platoon and the NSWTU.
Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton visited each ARG ship during a brief port visit in Bahrain. Dalton said Sailors and Marines should take pride in their mission accomplishments, the traditions they uphold and in the country's gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make.
After departing Bahrain, the New Orleans ARG participated in Exercise Reliant Gorilla. This purpose integrated ARG and Middle East Force combatants into a cohesive maritime superiority force without carrier battle group support, enhancing joint operations in the Arabian Gulf.
The ARG departed the 5th Fleet on Nov. 10, after three months of Middle East/Arabian Gulf operations, returning home via port visits in Western Australia.
On Nov. 20, Sailors and Marines manned the rails in their whites, as the ARG entered the ports of Fremantle and Bunbury, Australia, for a five-day port visit. New Orleans, Juneau and Comstock visited the city of Fremantle, and Mount Vernon visited Bunbury.
While in port, crew members took tours, shopped for Christmas presents, and relaxed. Tours ranged from wine tasting to an adventure tour in the famous Australian outback. Others took time to go to the beach and catch up on letter writing and reading. Many Sailors and Marines volunteered their time for seven community projects. Also during the port visit, more than 6,000 visitors toured the warships.
After leaving Australia, the ships stopped at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to off-load Marine equipment and pick up Tigers.
Tigers are friends and family members of Sailors and Marines who share life at sea with their sponsors. During the transit to San Diego, the Tigers watched an air show by embarked helicopters and took tours of the ships. Many of them completed an aggressive training program to earn honorary crew member status.
Early on Dec. 21 the amphibious ready group arrived off the coast of California and off-loaded the 11th MEU(SOC). With loved ones eagerly awaiting their arrival at sites throughout southern California, members of HMM-164, Assault Craft Unit 5, MEU Service Support Group 11, Battalion Landing Team (2nd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment) and Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 departed ARG ships by land and sea.
Navy support elements included detachments from Assault
Craft Units 1 and 5, Beach Master Unit 1, Tactical Air Control
Squadron 11, Navy Special Warfare Command, Fleet Information
Warfare Center Det, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 and
Mobile Medical Augmentation Readiness Team 5.
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