Navy to Decommission Tarawa After 32 Years of Honorable Service

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) David A. Brandenburg, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

The amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) pulls into homeport San Diego after completing its final deployment before being decommissioned. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Cale Bentley

The U.S. Navy announced that the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) will be decommissioned March 31, 2009, at Naval Base San Diego.

Tarawa completed her 14th and final Western Pacific deployment in June and returned from her last operational exercise -- Fuerzas Aliadas Panamax 2008 in the Panama Canal zone -- to her homeport of San Diego Aug. 29.

"I think it hit heavy on the way back [to San Diego] when [the crew] realized they would not be doing this again," said Capt. Brian Luther, Tarawa's commanding officer.

Panamax was the final chapter for Tarawa, which has readily served as a key asset in the defense of the United States for 32 years.

"It's going to be tough knowing that my ship will no longer be in service," said Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Jerry Wirth, Tarawa's damage control work center supervisor.

"Because of the ship's obvious age, it takes quite a bit of energy and personnel to maintain damage control measures to the Navy's standards. We try and exceed them. That's why the 'Big T' has been around longer than any other LHA in her class. I'm sad to see her go."

Tarawa, named in remembrance of the Battle of Tarawa that began Nov. 19, 1943 and lasted for 76 hours, was the first of the LHA class of ships and is the third to be decommissioned. During Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Tarawa played a major role.

Tarawa was also called upon to aid with humanitarian assistance operations during Sea Angel and Sea Angel II following the deadly cyclones that affected Bangladesh in 2007. These humanitarian assistance efforts were instrumental in the ship being awarded the 2007 Battle Efficiency Award.

USS Tarawa Returns from Last Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karalie Pallotta, USS Tarawa Public Affairs and Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Omar A. Dominquez, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 166 (reinforced) launches from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman)

The amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) returned to San Diego from deployment, June 3.

Approximately 1,000 friends and family members turned out at pier seven at Naval Base San Diego to welcome the returning Sailors back from the seven-month deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"It was a good cruise and a very good working environment," said Cmdr. Robert Muxlow, from Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 11. "The service members aboard all worked great together, that's the main measure of success."

The homecoming also marked the end of the ships 14th and final deployment as it is scheduled to be decommissioned in March 2009.

"The soul of the ship has always been her crew," said Capt. Brian Luther, Tarawa commanding officer. "Although Tarawa has known many sailors in her life time, I would venture to say that there have been none so well trained and dedicated to the service of their country as the men and women that are aboard right now. Their continued work is what made her last deployment a success."

During the deployment Tarawa and her crew sailed over 36,000 miles and visited four continents. They supported over 1,300 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit; aided the citizens of Bangladesh and Djibouti through medical and dental civil action projects; and welcomed aboard officials from Pakistan, France, Ethiopia, Egypt and the U.S., impressing upon them the capabilities of an American warship.

"Through all this the ship and her crew never wavered in performance of their duty," said Luther.

Many of the returning Sailors appreciated the opportunity to be involved in this part of Tarawa's history.

"It's also pretty cool to be here for Tarawa's last deployment. She's held up really well, and it's a privilege to be here for this last Westpac," said Information Specialist 1st class Anthony St. Thomas.

Tarawa departed San Diego Nov. 5. During her deployment her crew conducted disaster relief operations in Bangladesh, humanitarian assistance operations in Djibouti, and maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.

The ship was commissioned May 29, 1976 and has out lived two of other Tarawa-class ships. The ex-USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) was decommissioned April 20, 2007 and transferred to the inactive fleet; and the ex-USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) was sunk July 10, 2006, as part of SINKEX during RIMPAC.

Tarawa Ramping Up for STUFFEX

INDIAN OCEAN -- On the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1), personnel prepare to move aircraft into the hangar bay for the up coming STUFFEX exercise. This exercise gives the Air Department practice stowing as many aircraft and pieces of flight deck equipment in the hanger bay as possible, in the event of foul weather. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker)

Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group Deploys

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Alexia M. Riveracorrea, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The San Diego element of the Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) departed Nov. 5 for a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.

Units from San Diego include Amphibious Squadron 1, USS Tarawa (LHA 1), USS Cleveland (LPD 7), USS Germantown (LSD 42), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and elements of Naval Beach Group 1. USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Ingraham (FFG 61) will join the Tarawa ESG in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

"We will be working with different units as one team in the Pacific and Indian Oceans," said Capt. John Miley, ESG commander. "The crew is ready to provide support and humanitarian assistance."

More than 5,500 Sailors and Marines make up the Tarawa ESG, which has the flexibility and power to conduct strike warfare and engage enemy forces in the air, on the sea's surface and beneath the surface. In addition, they provide support capabilities using landing craft air cushion and landing craft utility vehicles, CH-46s, CH-53s, AH-1, UH-1, SH-60 helicopters and AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft.

"All the training, preparation and everything we've done over the past year up to this point will now be put to the test wherever we're ordered to go," said Capt. Donald R. Shunkwiler, Tarawa's commanding officer. "Our crew is well-trained to carry out the mission in all aspects."

Prior to ship's departure, families and friends at the pier spent time with their Sailor or Marine, giving their last goodbye.

"My family just hopes the best for me and that I do my job and come back safe," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class (SW) Erik Andrade Torres, Tarawa. "This is my first six-month deployment, and I look forward to visiting new countries, learning more about different cultures and helping the community."

During a 2005 deployment, the Tarawa ESG conducted maritime security operations, participated in Exercise Bright Star and served as an afloat staging base in the North Arabian Gulf, where they trained with the Iraqi navy and protected key Iraqi oil terminals.

Tarawa Conducting Unit Training Offshore SoCal

Navy and Marine Corps flight deck crewman await the landing of a CH-53D Super Stallion helicopter on board amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). Tarawa is participating in a composite unit training exercise with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David A. Brandenburg.