Tortuga Returns Home with 'Tigers' Embarked
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060915-12
Release Date: 9/15/2006 11:09:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David J. Ham, Mass Communication Seaman Apprentice Brandon A. Myrick, USS Tortuga Public Affairs
SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- After 104 days at sea and working closely with six countries, Sailors of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) returned to their forward-deployed home of Sasebo, Japan, Sept. 1.
During its three-month-plus deployment, the dock landing ship completed exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT), exercise series Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2006 and a Tiger Cruise on the way home.
“We had a great deployment and we accomplished more than we had planned for,” said Tortuga Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael T. Talaga. “We really got to know our new ship, both inside and out. There is the satisfaction of knowing that we accomplished more than we thought the ship was capable of and it was done safely. There is also the sense of relief that we have returned home safely.”
While underway, Tortuga and her crew hosted Destroyer Squadron 1 Commodore, Capt. Alfred Collins, and his staff. The ships that joined Tortuga on this summer expedition were from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and included the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Crommelin (FFG 37), and the salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52). Also accompanying Tortuga was the San Diego-based Coast Guard cutter USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720).
The deployment consisted of training and familiarization exercises with the six Southeast Asian countries of Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.
Collins stated the reason exercises such as SEACAT and CARAT have been a success year after year is the crews' hard work and dedication.
To pay dividends to Tortuga family members who supported the crew throughout the deployment, the ship held a special Tiger Cruise during the transit from Yokosuka to Sasebo. The crew provided ship tours and special trips aboard the ship’s embarked Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs).
The father of one Tortuga Sailor said he and his family were impressed with their son and the rest of the Tortuga crew.
“My family and I really enjoyed everything during the cruise,” he said. “We were very impressed at how many activities we were able to be involved in. The LCACs were impressive and they were my favorite part of the cruise.”
Tortuga stopped in Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 24 where Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Victor G. Guillory was able to impart some special words for the crew. One of the things Guillory was most impressed with was that the ship was named as part of the retention honor roll for the second quarter of 2006, announced during the beginning phases of the deployment.
He also congratulated the crew for their efforts in being the flagship for CARAT, a role that is not always assigned to them.
"Your collective accomplishments during this CARAT/SECAT deployment have left enduring values and strengthened our partnerships throughout the Southeast Asia area of operations," said Guillory. "You can take pride in a job that is extremely well done."
"I want to thank each and every man and woman serving in Tortuga and your families who have supported you during your service to our nation over the last several months," said Guillory.
Tortuga is part of the Forward-Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), operating out of Sasebo. The forward deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment is Sasebo, Japan.
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