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Harpers Ferry Supports Sailors and Marines on Iwo Jima

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070316-13
Release Date: 3/16/2007 1:17:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mark Alvarez, USS Harpers Ferry Public Affairs

IWO JIMA, Japan (NNS) -- USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) finished its mission to support the 62nd anniversary commemoration ceremony of the World War II battle of Iwo Jima on March 14.

Harpers Ferry departed Okinawa on March 10 with embarked cargo to the nearly deserted island. Upon arriving at Iwo Jima three days later, Harpers Ferry sent personnel, equipment and supplies to the island via landing craft air cushioned (LCAC) vehicles, amidst adverse sea conditions.

“When you look across the water at the invasion beaches -- and then you see the imposing height of Mount Suribachi -- it’s surreal to think of how difficult it must have been for Marines to fight their way up to the top,” said Harpers Ferry Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Meyers.

“Walking in the soft black sand, smelling the sulfur in the air and seeing Mount Suribachi up close was an incredible experience for our Sailors," Meyers added. "It was important for us to support the crew and give as many as we could the opportunity to go ashore.”

While launching LCACs in support of the commemoration, Harpers Ferry also conducted small boat operations, launching rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB), to land most of its crew on the island for a unique opportunity to see this historical site.

“Last year we came here, but I didn’t go ashore. This time, our chain of command seemed motivated to getting us on the island, which I really appreciated,” said RHIB coxswain Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Travis E. Weger. “It was pretty cool to be able to take everyone over there. Driving small boats is something that I love to do, plus I’m a huge history buff, so it was good to help others experience this place.”

Once Sailors made it ashore, Marines drove them to key sites on the island. They explored an out-of-commission Sherman tank, various Japanese gun batteries, Invasion Beach and finally Mount Suribachi.

Mount Suribachi is Iwo Jima’s most dominant feature and the highest ground on Iwo Jima. It’s the most strategic location on Iwo Jima and was the Marines’ first target in the battle for the tiny, 8-square-mile island.

Harpers Ferry is a dock landing ship serving under the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. ESG 7/Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, with an operating detachment in Sasebo.