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Trenton Returns from Historic Final Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060922-14
Release Date: 9/23/2006 2:00:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Jones, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS Trenton (LPD 14) and its nearly 400 Sailors made their final homecoming Sept. 21, before the ship’s decommissioning in January 2007.

Trenton’s return to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk marks an end to its latest five-month deployment in a 35-year career. Following the early-2007 decommissioning, Trenton will be sold to the Indian navy.

“If it was time for us to go, we would rather Trenton be turned over to another country so that the life of Trenton can continue,” said Capt. Samuel Norton, Trenton’s commanding officer. “We had Indian naval officers on board, and we fostered camaraderie and they’re happy to pick up where we left off.”

During the deployment, the ship’s crew conducted maritime security operations off the Somali Peninsula in Africa and relief operations in the eastern Mediterranean.

During the 156-day deployment, Trenton, assigned to Commander, Amphibious Group 2, sailed off the coast of Lebanon helping to evacuate 3,500 Americans during Israeli-Lebanese hostilities.

“What (Trenton) did out there was make a difference in the international community and also show the American citizens in the Middle East how great the United States Navy and Marine Corps team is,” said Rear Adm. Garry Hall, commander, Amphibious Group 2.

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Kenneth Mikkelsen, a propulsion mechanic aboard Trenton, said the most challenging part of the deployment was working long hours during the evacuation operation. Mikkelsen added, however, that seeing the gratefulness of evacuees and their smiles once they arrived in Turkey and Cypress made it all worthwhile.

Trenton’s crew had mixed emotion about their forthcoming decommissioning.

“The Trenton’s got a lot of life left in her and the crew’s done a great job here on deployment,” said Command Master Chief (SW) Charles Vertigan. “I think we’ll all be sorry to see her go.”