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In the Gulf, the Mission Continues

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030505-02
Release Date: 5/5/2003 4:05:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (SW) William Polson, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

ABOARD USS TARAWA, At Sea (NNS) -- As a new day dawned in the Arabian Gulf May 2, there was a sense of guarded optimism for Sailors and Marines here about President Bush's recent nationally televised speech to the nation from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

"I like what he said," said Hull Technician 1st Class James Follmer, "but we've still got some business to take care of before it's over for us."

Follmer, like other Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tarawa (LHA 1), heard the president announce that the war in Iraq was "one victory in a war on terrorism," although the struggle would continue. Many aboard this San Diego-based amphibious assault ship, on deployment in the Arabian Gulf, heard the speech replayed on various television newscasts on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service satellite network -- the original airtime for the president's speech off the coast of San Diego came in the middle of the night here.

"Regarding what the president said about the war not being over, I agree. We just can't get up and leave after the hard part is done," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Christopher Meddaugh, a Tarawa crew member. "There is still a lot more to be done, and we should be ready to help with the rebuilding of Iraq,"

For Meddaugh and Follmer and their 1,200 other shipmates - as well as for other U.S. servicemembers stationed throughout the Arabian Gulf - the work related to Operation Iraqi Freedom continues. Aboard Tarawa in the North Arabian Gulf, the various embarked aircraft and landing craft still launch and return. Gun watches continue to scan the horizon constantly for rogue suicide attackers in speed boats, floating mines or unmanned aerial vehicles carrying weapons of mass destruction. And crew members in the Combat Information Center still monitor their screens for any signs of danger.

"Especially for us, we have to remember that the war on terrorism didn't start with Iraq and won't end with Iraq," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Christian Strasser. "Even though it seems like the war is almost over, we are still in a war-like environment and will be until we leave."

Although the assignment here is not close to an end yet, there are some signs aboard the "Eagle of the Sea" of a more normal routine for this type of deployment. Maintenance jobs to repair the effects of sandstorms and salt water have started to pick up. The majority of the ground troops from the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which fought along the Tigris River valley, have returned to the ship. And, the topic of conversation around the passageways has started to turn more towards the next port visit rather than the last combat mission.

"I'm excited about the chance to pull in somewhere, just to get away from the ship for a few hours, to do some shopping and to have something different to eat," said Mess Management Specialist Damon Jones.

Several weeks before the president's victory announcement, U.S. Navy amphibious forces that had played a major role in Operation Iraqi Freedom punctuated their success with an historic formation photo. Led by Tarawa, the formation included six of the seven amphibious assault ships of Task Force 51.

The 32 ships of Task Force 51 that the president had assigned to the Gulf -- from both the East and West coasts -- comprised the largest amphibious force assembled since the Inchon landing during the Korean War.

"It's a great morale boost for our young men and women to hear the president praise the effort they dedicated to make Operation Iraqi Freedom succeed," said Tarawa's Commanding Officer Capt. Jay Bowling. "At the same time, we're not letting our guard down. There are still terrorists out there who want to make a statement at our expense. Until we can see downtown San Diego, we're taking no chances."