Military

Navy Says Fair Winds and Following Seas to USS Ogden

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070223-01
Release Date: 2/23/2007 12:27:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick M. Kearney, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The San Diego-based Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Ogden (LDP 5) was decommissioned during a ceremony Feb. 21 at Naval Base San Diego.

Speakers for the decommissioning ceremony included Cmdr. James Hruska, Ogden’s current commanding officer and Capt. Pete Moreford, commodore, Amphibious Group 3. Guest speaker John Patterson, deputy mayor of Ogden, Utah declared February 21, 2007 as USS Ogden Day.

“USS Ogden is a great representative of our city,” said Patterson. “It was an honor to be a part of today’s ceremony.”

Ogden’s keel was laid down February 4, 1963 by the New York Naval Shipyard. She was launched June 27, 1964 and received her commission at New York City June 19, 1965.

Information Technician 3rd Class Nathaniel Rees, a resident of Ogden, Utah, served on the Ogden as part of its final crew.

“Being on board was a really good experience,” said Rees. “Seeing a lot of the old crew members coming back for the ceremony was very exciting.”

While under the command of Cmdr. James Hruska, Ogden deployed for the last time February 14, 2006, as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 3. While deployed, Ogden performed maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf as well as provided training to the Iraqi navy.

Ogden’s inactivation began shortly after their return from deployment.

“It is a bittersweet day for me,” said Hruska. “Every officer aims to command, and today is the end of Ogden. Being a part of Ogden’s 41 year tradition of greatness and knowing you’re the final crew to carry that tradition to the end made serving on her special.”