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Commandant Visits USS New Orleans

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071107-17
Release Date: 11/7/2007 9:33:00 PM

By Electronics Technician 2nd Class Webster G. Carlin, USS New Orleans Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- During a recent trip to San Diego, Gen. James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, toured the Navy's newest landing platform dock, USS New Orleans (LPD 18), Oct. 20.

Cmdr. John B. Skillman, the ship's commanding officer, facilitated the tour, which began in the ship's vehicle storage area where Chief Warrant Officer James R. Burns Jr., New Orleans' combat cargo officer, discussed the ease of vehicle onloading and offloading made possible by the port and starboard sideport doors and vehicle access ramps.

Skillman also highlighted additions such as the vehicle storage area cameras that allow monitoring of the onload and offload progress from any television in the ship.

Later in the tour, Conway showed great interest in the advanced aviation capabilities of New Orleans, which unlike the Austin-class amphibious transport docks, has the ability to accommodate all Marine Corps helicopters and the MV-22 Osprey.

Conway was also pleased to know that New Orleans can carry 699 Marines with a surge capacity of up to 800, and that both the Marine non-commissioned officer bunkrooms and the ship's crew berthing (areas) were outfitted with the new "L" shaped racks allowing Sailors and Marines to sit up, read and do work in privacy.

"These Marines are very lucky," Conway said. "These berthing (areas) provide so much space they are not going to want to leave."

Skillman later demonstrated new operational capabilities built into the landing force operations center, tactical logistics room and combat information center.

"In a day and age of video games, young Sailors are used to digital screens and technology. Having these tools at hand is extremely useful and easy to work with," Skillman said.

New Orleans is currently in a maintenance period at Naval Station, San Diego, in preparation for future assignments in support of national defense.