USS Portland First Operation Iraqi Freedom Ship to Return
Navy NewStand
Story Number: NNS030411-16
Release Date: 4/11/2003 3:04:00 PM
From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Portland (LSD 37) returned April 11 to its home port, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., after completing a three-month surge deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Portland departed Little Creek, Jan. 12, 2003, as part of the seven-ship Amphibious Task Force East. The task force, affectionately known as the "Magnificent Seven," was the largest amphibious surge force assembled in over a decade, carrying approximately 5,000 Sailors, 7,000 Marines and tons of heavy equipment and aircraft.
The 32-year-old ship completed its mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom by delivering combat Marines and equipment from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Kuwait, providing Commander, U.S. Central Command power projection capability ashore which was critical for the success of current and future operations.
Rear Adm. Terrance T. Etnyre, commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, greeted Portland upon its arrival and presented the command the coveted Battle Efficiency Award for 2002. The annual award recognizes commands for sustained superior performance in an operational environment.
"We're really happy to have done this, and we're hoping our Marines are safe," said Cmdr. Larry Creevy, Portland's commanding officer. "Since we got them there on time, we're hoping that we had something to do with helping bring this thing closer to inevitable victory."
Portland was previously planned to be the first ship of the task force to return after spending only one month in home port upon completion of a four-month UNITAS deployment. The ship has been deployed a total of seven out of the last eight months.
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