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ex USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) was towed to
open waters for upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Exercise RIMPAC
2006 - July 2006
ex USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) was towed to
open waters for upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Exercise RIMPAC
2006 - July 2006
ex USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) was towed to
open waters for upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Exercise RIMPAC
2006 - July 2006
decommissioning ceremony - San Diego,
California - October 2005
San Diego, California - July 2005
San Diego, California - July 2005
San Diego, California - October 2004
Bahrain - July 2004
North Arabian Gulf - July 2004
North Arabian Gulf - July 2004
Arabian Gulf - July 2004
San Diego, California - May 2004
San Diego, California - May 2004
San Diego, California - May 2004
San Diego, California - May 2004
San Diego, California - May 2004
March 2002
underway - September 2002
underway - May 2002
Apra Harbor, Guam - September 2000
Sasebo, Japan - August 2000
Okinawa, Japan - March 1999
Exercise VALIANT USHER 98-1 - Off
Australia - March 1998
Off South Korea - March 1993
Off South Korea - March 1993
Subic Bay, Philippines - January 1993
Off Kauai, Hawaii - September 1992
Off Kauai, Hawaii - September 1992
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - September 1992
San Diego, California - June 1992
San Diego, California - October 1991
Exercise RIMPAC 90 - May 1990
September 1989
January 1989
LCU-1651 enters the well deck of LHA-3 -
January 1989
Off the coast of San Diego, California -
January 1989
Off the coast of San Diego, California -
January 1989
USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) fires a RIM-7
Sea Sparrow missile
A CH-46 Sea Knight lands on the flight
deck of USS Belleau Wood - June 1987
June 1987
June 1987
June 1987
underway - June 1987
Subic Bay, Philippines - February 1987
San Diego, California - December 1984
Exercise TEAM SPIRIT 84 - March 1984
Off California - June 1982
May 1982
April 1982
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The Battle
of Belleau Wood, France (June 1 – June 26, 1918):
Belleau Wood, near
Chateau Thierry, France, was the scene of a battle between the 4th Marine
Brigade and elements of three German divisions in June 1918. This was part of
the larger Battle of the Aisne, launched on 27th May by Germany in the hopes
of defeating French forces near Paris before significant American forces
could arrive at the front. The German Southern Army Group broke through the
British and French divisions defending Chemin des Dames ridge on the first
day of the attack, forcing the defenders across the Aisne and Vesle Rivers.
German forces continued their advance, reaching the Marne River on 1 June
before the offensive slowed.
Meanwhile, the American Army's 2d Division, with the 4th Marine Brigade
attached, was ordered from its training areas north of Paris to a position
northwest of Chateau Thierry. Attached to the French XXI Corps, the American
troops took up positions astride the Paris-Metz highway on 1st June. The
following day, a limited German attack rolled back the French outposts and
occupied the towns of Tourcy and Bouresches, including the woods called Bois
de Belleau between them, in front of the marine positions. As the French fell
back through the marines, an officer advised Marine Corps Capt. Lloyd
Williams to withdraw his men. Williams replied: "Retreat, hell! We just
got here."
On 3rd June, the German infantry advanced toward the 4th Brigade but were
driven back by heavy artillery and long-range rifle fire. By the 5th, when it
became clear that the Germans had shifted to the tactical defensive, the
French corps commander ordered the 4th Brigade to attack Bois de Belleau. The
month-long action remembered as the Battle of Belleau Wood began on 6th June
with a battalion-level attack on a hill near Torcy. Although the assault
companies suffered devastating enfilade fire, Hill 142 was taken after bloody
hand-to-hand combat.
The following day, three battalions attacked the woods and Boureches from the
southwest. Short on artillery support and hobbled by poor maneuver tactics,
the marines again suffered heavy losses as they tried to clear the woods of
machinegun nests. By evening, they held the edge of Belleau Wood and had
cleared Boureches after desperate street fighting. Reinforced and resupplied,
they held the town all night against repeated counterattacks. The day's
fighting had cost the marines over 1,000 casualties, more than the Corps had
lost in its entire history.
The 4th Brigade continued assaults into Belleau Wood for the next twelve
days, fighting an attrition-style battle of platoons and squads in the
confined wooded terrain. The advance slowed to a crawl as units were
decimated in close combat and the entire brigade was forced to pull out of
the fighting to regroup on 18 June. Returning to Belleau Wood on 25 June, the
marines launched the final two-battalion assault that drove the last German
battalion from its trenches. Early in the morning on the 26th, the tired
marines reported "Belleau Wood now U.S. Marine Corps entirely."
Although the operation had cost the 4th Marine Brigade 4,719 casualties, and
over 1,000 killed, the marines had proved their courage to both the French
and the AEF. Heartened by the American performance, the French awarded the
division's infantry brigades, including 4th Marine Brigade, unit citations
for "gallant action" and officially renamed the wood Bois de la
Brigade Marine.
The second ship to
be assigned the name Belleau Wood. The first ship named Belleau Wood was
designated CVL-24, commissioned 31 March 1943 and decommissioned on 13
January 1947.
US Marines in the Battle of Belleau Wood
1918 (Georges Scott painting)
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USS
Belleau Wood (LHA 3):
Chronology and
Significant Events:
23 Sep 1978: Commissioned at Pascagoula, Miss., as a General Purpose
Amphibious Assault Ship (LHA), designed to embark, transport, and land
elements of the landing force, with supplies and equipment, by means of
helicopters, landing craft, and amphibian vehicles.
27 Sep 1978: A USMC CH-46 made the first helicopter landing on board.
28 Sep - 28 Oct 1978: In transit, via the Panama Canal, to her new
home port.
Dec 1978: Conducted AV-8 Harrier compatability evaluations to
determine how Harriers could most effectively be operated from an LHA.
8 Jul 1979 - 9 May 1980: Underwent a Post Shakedown Availability at
Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
Mar 1981: Belleau Wood and her embarked Marine elements participated
in Team Spirit 81, a joint amphibious exercise involving over 53 U.S. and
Republic of Korea (ROKN) ships and over 170,00 men.
Apr 1981: Involved in two rescues of Vietnamese “boat people” whose
craft were in distress. The two rescues involved more than 135 refugees. The
ship received the Humanitarian Service Medal for these efforts.
Jun 1981: Spearheaded the Valiant Usher 81-4, a joint U.S.-Australian
amphibious assault designed to improve combat readiness and promote
cooperation between military elements of the participating nations.
Nov - Dec 1982: Participated in Valiant Usher 83-3 and Jade Tiger 83,
the latter a combined military exercise that encompassed a full range of
military training including amphibious operations.
22 Apr - 5 Oct 1983: Conducted Selected Restricted Availability period
at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. The primary reason for the yard period was the
installation of a prototype Collective Protection System, designed to provide
a toxic-free environment in the ship’s island structure following chemical,
biological, or radiological attack.
Jan - Jul 1984: During her deployment to the Western Pacific she
participated in seven exercises including Kernel Blitz 84-1, LANDEX at
Zambales, Team Spirit, Valiant Usher 84-7 and various phases of Battle Week
84-3.
13 Mar 1985 - 28 Jan 1986: Entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a
complex overhaul; in drydock from 13 March to 4 September.
22 - 30 Jan 1987: Participated in Kernel Potlatch 87-1, an integrated
amphibious and carrier battle group exercise, the first winter amphibious
exercise in the Aleutian Island chain since World War II. The operation also
experienced a real world scenario when Belleau Wood air controllers directed
the first AV-8B Harrier intercept of a Soviet Bear and Badger aircraft.
During the exercise high seas, 18-24 foot waves, damaged the ship’s bow.
Jan - Jul 1987: During Belleau Wood’s Western Pacific deployment she
participated in numerous exercises, including Kernel Potlatch 87-1, Valiant
Usher 87-1, Team Spirit 87, and Pitch Black. Belleau Wood claimed numerous
achievements and firsts during the deployment. Besides the items listed in
the chronology entry for 22-30 Jan 1987 (above) they include: first to deploy
with both AV-8B Harrier IIs and CH-53E helos, first LHA to accept an LCAC
into her well deck, first LHA to deploy with 29 aircraft (the largest deck
multiple ever for an LHA), and the first LHA to test the concept of Emergency
Defense of the Amphibious Task Force by combining USMC Stinger Teams, AV-8B
Harrier IIs and AH-1 Cobra helicopters.
8 Jan - 7 Jun 1988: Entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a Selected
Restricted Availability period.
Jan - Jun 1989: While deployed to the Western Pacific she participated
in Valiant Usher 89-4 and 89-8, Team Spirit 89, and Valiant Mark. Of special
note during this deployment was the outstanding performance of the ship’s
hospital, that handled three major medical emergencies in which numerous
military personnel were brought on board for treatment following mishaps
during various exercises.
17 Mar 1989: While deployed to the Western Pacific, a CH-46 from the
embarked HMM-161 crashed ashore, killing all four crewmen.
4 Oct 1989: The ship hosted the Soviet Minister of Defense and the
Soviet Ambassador to the U.S., along with the Vice Chairman of the JCS and
other U.S. military dignitaries. The visitors were given a tour of the ship,
an AV-8B Harrier II demonstration, and lunch.
12 - 22 Oct 1989: While operating in northern California waters she
participated in the Pacific Command Joint Anti-Drug Task Force and was under
the operational control of Coast Guard District 13 in Seattle. A five-man
USCG Law Enforcement Detachment was embarked during this operation.
May 1990: While participating in exercise RIMPAC 90 Belleau Wood’s
embarked elements included the U.S. Army’s 1/27 Infantry Battalion as well as
elements of the Ninth Marines.
13 Nov 1990 - 11 Oct 1991: Entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a
Complex Overhaul. On 6 December she entered dry dock and remained there until
30 April 1991. The overhaul involved improvements to the ship’s weapon
systems, engineering plant, and habitability spaces, as well as upgrades to
several electronic systems to increase the ship’s combat capabilities, one of
which was the installation of a “flag-configured” communications suite.
Sep 1992: Provided disaster relief to the island of Kauai following
Hurricane Iniki.
Nov 1992: While deployed to the Philippine operating area the ship
assumed all administrative and operational responsibilities of NAS Cubi Point
in support of its final closure.
6 Oct 1993 - 28 Jan 1994: Underwent a Selected Restricted Availability
yard period, receiving improvements to communications equipment,
rehabilitation of all USMC and crew berthing spaces, and the installation of
the Rolling Airframe Missile System.
29 May 1994: Lieutenant Mary Sobray, the first woman assigned to
Belleau Wood’s crew, arrived, reporting for duty as the ship’s intelligence
officer.
26 Nov - 23 Dec 1994: During her operations in the waters off
Singapore and exercise Tandem Thrust, she was alerted to possible duty off
the coast of Somalia due to tensions in that country. The ship remained in
Singapore for four days before receiving word that she could return to her
home port in Sasebo. However, once she returned to Sasebo she remained on a 96-hour
tether for possible duty in Somalia for the remainder of the month.
8 Feb 1995: Arrived off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia, and
participated in Operation United Shield, the landing of Marines ashore in
Mogadishu for the evacuation of U.N. forces from the country. The withdrawal
marked the end of two years of U.N. support for Somalia.
1 - 3 Mar 1995: Participated in the evacuation of U.N. forces and
non-combatants from Mogadishu. She transported over 150 non-combatants to
Mombasa, Kenya, on 4 March.
5 Aug - 14 Nov 1995: Began Selected Restricted Availability at Sasebo.
On 14 November the ship’s SRA came to an end and two days later she was
underway for sea trials.
12 - 17 Aug 1996: Anchored at Vladivostok, Russia, for a historic port
visit. The visit, Cooperation from the Sea ’96, involved a wreath-laying
ceremony to honor American and Russian Navy veterans, sporting events,
combined amphibious maneuvers with Russian counterparts, a tree-planting
ceremony, and finally Russian helicopters performed numerous take-offs and
deck landings on the ship.
31 Aug 1996 - 8 Apr 1997: Yard period; on 3 December entered a
floating dry dock for Extended Drydock Selective Restricted Availability. On
4 March 1997, undocked from the Sagami Floating Drydock, and during the
following two days, her 5-inch gun mounts were removed. Conducted sea trials
during 6 to 8 April.
5 Aug-7 Oct 1998: In port Sasebo for Ship Repair Availability.
20 Oct 1998 - 18 Mar 1999: During a routine deployment for an annual
exercise in Korean waters, Foal Eagle, Belleau Wood was heading south for a
port visit to Hong Kong when she was ordered to return to Okinawa and
off-load MAGTF 4 and load the 31st MEU Marines and then transit to the
Persian Gulf. Belleau Wood’s new orders were to provide support for
Operations Desert Thunder and Southern Watch—the monitoring of the U.N.
imposed no-fly zone over southern Iraq.
16 Dec 1998: Participation in Operation Desert Fox began. The ship
acted as the staging platform for Combat Search and Rescue Operations in case
an American or Coalition plane was shot down during the four-day operation
intended to neutralize Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction programs. She also
provided support for Marines ashore in Kuwait.
14 Sep - 8 Nov 1999: Operated off Indonesia in response to a crisis in
East Timor, providing heavy-lift logistical support for the Australian-led
U.N. Peace Keeping mission. By 1 October HMM-265, the ship’s assigned
helicopter squadron, provided support for the International Forces on East
Timor as part of Operation Stabilise. On 7 October, she relieved Mobile Bay
(CG 53) and assumed responsibility of U.S. naval support for the operations
in East Timor. The ship and her assigned units also provided humanitarian
support for the International Peacekeeping forces in East Timor by ferrying
cargo and people ashore.
15 Apr - 30 Jun 2000: Commenced Restricted Availability period in
Sasebo.
1 Jul 2000: Began “hull swap” with Essex (LHD 2), the
largest hull swap and exchange of command in the U.S. Navy wherein Essex
replaced Belleau Wood as the forward deployed Amphibious Assault ship.
Belleau Wood’s crew, however, remained in Japan and transferred to Essex. The
Essex crew transferred to Belleau Wood and sailed her back to San Diego,
Calif., her new home port.
11 Aug - 13 Oct 2000: Belleau Wood departed Sasebo, Japan, in route to
her new home port of San Diego via operations in Korean waters, maintenance
availability in Guam, stops at Saipan and Pearl Harbor.
17 Jan - 16 Jun 2001: Belleau Wood conducted a five-month dry dock
planned maintenance availability, during which time the ship had a fifth air
conditioning system installed, upgraded collection holding and transfer
systems, and revamped combat system and intelligence suites.
15 Jun - 15 Dec 2002: Deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, she participated in exercises
Infinite Moonlight in Jordan and Eager Mace in Kuwait. She also provided
humanitarian assistance off the east coast of Djibouti in October and off
East Timor in November.
22 Jan - 8 Oct 2003: Complex Overhaul, National Steel and Shipbuilding
Company. She lay in dry dock from 11 March to 10 July.
27 May - 24 Oct 2004: Deployed with an Expeditionary Strike Group
(ESG) to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in support of the Global War on
Terrorism (GWOT). Her deployment occurred a few weeks earlier than planned
and demonstrated the flexibility of naval assets and the Fleet Response Plan
(FRP), a plan whereby naval forces have been trained to immediately respond
to a crisis or contingency with the required combat power and on short
notice. The ESG was commanded by a Marine Corps General - the first time a
Marine had been in command of an ESG and USN warships.
5 Jul 2004: Aviation elements in Belleau Wood conducted their first
missions in support of the GWOT when they flew close-air support into Iraq.
The missions were in support of the coalition forces who were continuing to
perform security and stability operations in Iraq. The two AV-8B Harrier IIs
flying the mission were from VMA-214 Det B, part of HMM-166 (Reinforced).
The ship was
decommissioned on 28 October 2005. She was sunk off the coast of Hawaii as
part of RIMPAC '06 exercises on 13 July 2006.
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Changes in
armament and major systems (Weapons and radar/sonar equipment):
During the 1988 SRA the
two Basic Point Defense Missile Systems were removed and replaced by the
Close-In Weapons System. A Rolling Airframe Missile System was installed in
late 1993. In 1996 the ship had the following: 2 21 Cell Rolling Airframe
Missile Systems, 2 5-inch 54 cal DP Mk 45 Mod 1 guns, 2 20-mm Close In
Weapons Systems Block 1 (CIWS), 6 20-mm AA Mk 67 guns, 2 SLQ-25 NIXIE, and 6
Mk 36 Mod 12 Super Rapid-Blooming Off Board Chaff Systems (SRBOC). The
sensors included Mk 86 gun Fire Control System Mod 10, Mk-23 Target
Acquisition System (TAS) Mod 5, SPG-60 radar, SPQ-9A radar, SPS-67 surface
search radar, SPS-40B air search radar, SPS-48E 3-D air search radar, SPS-64
surface search radar, SPN-35A aircraft control/approach radar, SPS-43B long
range aircraft control/approach radar, SLQ-32(V)3 electronic warfare suite
and URN-25 TACAN. In 2002 the Weapon Systems included: 2 21 Cell Rolling
Airframe Missile Systems, 2 20-mm Close In Weapons System Block 1, 4 .50-cal
mounts, 4 .25-mm mounts, 2 SLQ-25 NIXIE, and 6 Mk 36 Super Rapid-Blooming Off
Board Chaff Systems. The sensors included: Mk-23 Target Acquisition Systems
(TAS) Mod 5, SPS-67 surface search radar, SPS-40E air search radar, SPS-48E
3-D air search radar, SPS-64 navigation radar, SPN-35A aircraft
control/approach radar, SPN-43C aircraft control/approach radar, SLQ-32(V)3
electronic warfare suite, URN-25 TACAN and Furuno navigation radar. Following
the ships overhaul in 2003 the weapon systems and sensors remained the same
as those listed above for 2002.
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