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Tarawa Participates in Opening Phase of 'Operation Iraqi Freedom'

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030325-08
Release Date: 3/25/2003 6:20:00 PM

By Chief Journalist William Polson, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

ABOARD USS TARAWA, At sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) recently participated in the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the North Arabian Gulf.

For the past several nights, AV-8B Harrier "jump jets" have been launching from Tarawa's flight deck toward the skies over Iraq. The Harriers have been providing air support to coalition ground forces, including the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), operating in southern Iraq.

"I'm impressed with how well these young men and women have been performing, especially under such tough circumstances and with so much at stake," said Tarawa's Commanding Officer Capt. Jay Bowling. "Commander Chuck Norberg's flight deck crew has been working non-stop for the past week. They've done a great job supporting Harrier operations and the Marines ashore, as they push toward their next objective."

Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, Tarawa's flight deck has come to life at night. Under the glow of hazy moonlight for the past several nights, Sailors using florescent green and purple signal wands have maneuvered the Marine-piloted aircraft as they took-off and landed. Each night, the roar of a Harrier's 21,000 pound, thrust-vectored engine has announced the departure or the successful return of another mission.

"We've been working around the clock to help the Marine pilots get their aircraft up and running so they can do their job," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Luke Wildigg. "During the night, we've been launching and recovering the Harriers, and during the day, we've been helping move aircraft so they can do their maintenance."

As a Tarawa crew member, Wildigg is part of the coalition amphibious force that arrived in the North Arabian Gulf with approximately 33,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. They are participating in the largest military action in the Arabian Gulf region since Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-91. Tarawa currently serves as the flagship for the coalition amphibious forces under Commander, Task Force 51 (CTF-51). Among the countries represented in the coalition are the United States, the United Kingdom and Kuwait.

The primary mission of Tarawa is to land and sustain U.S. Marines on any shore during hostilities. Tarawa embarks the Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier, CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopters, CH-46 Sea Knight medium lift helicopters, AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters and UH-1N Huey multipurpose helicopters. In addition, Tarawa embarks landing craft air cushions (LCACs) surface assault boats and landing craft utility (LCUs) boats.