The U.S. Navy’s second oldest deployable ship, USS Denver (LPD 9), left its homeport of Sasebo, Japan on Monday bound for the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. While deployed, the 45-year old Denver will team up with the Royal Navy of Thailand in annual exercise Cobra Gold, swapping decks and sharing knowledge and skills in various types of training. USS Denver will also embark on a routine Spring Patrol.
The LPD will be conducting these exercises and patrols with the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group commanded by Capt. Heidi Agle.
“Operations Specialist 1st Class Jamie Dixon, assigned to USS Denver, said: “It’s an older ship so we face different problems than other vessels in the fleet, but when it’s time to get underway we are always up for the challenge.”
USS Denver changed command in October, 2013, when Capt. Michael Donnelly took over command from Capt. Kevin P. Lenox, assuming command as the 31st commanding officer of Denver since the ship’s commissioning.
USS Denver is slated for decommissioning on 30 September this year. However, it will remain in Navy custody in case of future mobilization.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 29, 2014; Image: US Navy