USS New Orleans returns from six-month deployment

The crew of U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) returned to Hawaii on August 29 for their first U.S. port visit in six months.

New Orleans, part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), left its home port of San Diego Feb. 12 and deployed to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations (AOO) with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

While on deployment, New Orleans participated in Exercise Ssang Yong, conducted numerous theater security support and maritime security operations and visited ports in five different countries across Asia and the Middle-East.

“The crew of New Orleans performed superbly across a broad spectrum of vital, real-world operations over the course of this deployment,” said Capt. Glenn R. Jamison, commanding officer of New Orleans.

The ship traveled 50,000 nautical miles, conducted 1,852 aircraft launches and recoveries during 500 hours of flight operations, and transferred 504 tons of mail and cargo on over 1,700 pallets during 15 underway replenishments.

In addition, New Orleans and sailors from Assault Craft Unit 5 conducted 310 hours of amphibious operations and transferred 258 loads of troops and cargo between the ship and shore using landing craft, air cushion. New Orleans’ air department also helped qualify 104 pilots during deck landing qualifications.