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Boxer's 7th Fleet Deployment Finishes With Sasebo Exit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050822-12
Release Date: 8/22/2005 1:52:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- 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.

“I have only the highest praises for this crew,” said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, who embarked Boxer during Talisman Saber and JASEX. “This ship has shown tremendous determination, and it has risen to the challenge of every task. They were a great crew to work with!”

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.

”It has been a pleasure to support the Forward Deployed Naval Forces of 7th Fleet,” said Capt. Thomas J. Culora, Boxer’s commanding officer. “We have learned a lot about ourselves and of others. This experience has both enhanced interoperability between our allies and within our own Navy, as well. We feel confident that if called upon in a time of war, we could strongly stand by the 7th Fleet forces.”