• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Pearl Harbor Back at Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060803-03
Release Date: 8/3/2006 9:53:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Flavia Marin, Commander, Amphibious Group 3 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed her homeport of San Diego for sea trials July 26 following an extensive nine-week period in the NASSCO shipyards.

During the underway period, the crew was engaged in a variety of evolutions, including damage control and force protection drills.

“Ships are built to steam, and Sailors are trained to be at sea,” said Cmdr. V. V. Cooper, Pearl Harbor’s commanding officer. “The good ship Pearl Harbor accomplished both in fine fashion July 26.”

Sea trials not only kept everyone updated on how to thoroughly respond to potential shipboard casualties, but also helped the crew's readiness for upcoming inspections by the Afloat Training Group (ATG).

“These evolutions are refreshers for some and new training for others,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Karina Perezprado. “It’s hard work, but these seamen are my relief, and I want to make sure they know what they’re doing.”

“This is the capstone event for our ship,” said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Caldwell, Pearl Harbor’s executive officer. “It’s a great chance for the crew to prepare for its approaching recertification trials.”

In addition to preparing for assessment, Sailors are also busy testing equipment for malfunctions, ensuring the ship’s full operation capability for the next deployment.

“The crew’s talent is amazing. They performed an immense amount of work in such a short period of time in the shipyards,” Caldwell said. “Now that we’re underway, it just goes to show, all the blood, sweat and tears didn’t go to waste.”

Prior to getting underway, Sailors and civilians worked diligently together at NASSCO to prepare the ship for this and future underway periods. Normal working hours grew longer in the shipyards as the team repainted passageways, refurbished decks, removed old systems, set up new equipment, and performed a multitude of other maintenance tasks. Additionally, the four main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) were stripped down and rebuilt, and a new boat davit and a Super High Frequency (SHF) antenna were installed.

“After four shipyard availabilities, it never gets any easier,” Cooper said, “and with everyone’s hard work in mind, it fills my heart with tremendous pride to serve with them.”

“The crew continues to do outstanding work,” added Caldwell, “which is why I believe we’ll be prepared for any kind of tasking by the end of all this - whatever it may be.”

Pearl Harbor is the last of the Navy's four new cargo variants of the Whidbey Island class of landing dock ships. It is the first Navy ship to carry the name Pearl Harbor in commemoration of the heroic actions of members of the armed services and citizens on the island of Oahu Dec. 7, 1941.