Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Kaminksi | SAN DIEGO (September 2, 2022) – Capt. Brian Holmes, executive officer of USS Boxer...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO (Sept. 2, 2022) – USS Boxer (LHD 4) hosted USS Bristol County (LST 1198) Veterans and their families on board during a reunion commemorating the 50th anniversary of the last Newport-class tank landing ship commissioning.
"It is always a pleasure to welcome Veterans who stewarded a legacy of naval excellence we aim to continue each and every day. It is truly an honor for both myself and the crew to interact with these incredible individuals and hear their stories," said Capt. Matthew Cieslukowski, commanding officer of Boxer who greeted the visitors to the ship. "The Boxer team is incredibly grateful for the service of our Veterans and thankful for the sacrifices their families made alongside them."
The 43 guests, including five plank owners who were members of the crew when the ship was first commissioned, walked the flight deck and hanger bay, visited the well deck and mess decks, and toured medical facilities during their time aboard Boxer. Members of the crew representing various departments briefed the group on the ship’s leading technology and amphibious support capabilities.
“It was awesome explaining Boxer air warfare to the group,” said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Rebecca Thrasher. “Showing the Veterans how far we’ve advanced was special for me as a member of Air Department.”
Named after the county in Rhode Island, Bristol County commissioned on Aug. 5, 1972, and was homeported in San Diego, down the waterfront from where the group embarked Boxer. Bristol County supported various exercises and completed numerous deployments until its decommissioning on July 29, 1994. The Veterans had been planning the half-century commissioning commemoration for two years.
“It meant the world,” said John Scott, who served aboard Bristol County and was the primary coordinator for the reunion. “Many of the Veterans on the tour didn’t serve beyond their time on Bristol County, so being able to see a ship of this size and tour it was very special for the group.”
At the conclusion of the tour, the Veterans and their families departed Boxer, confident that with their oath faithfully fulfilled, the Sailors of Boxer now had the watch.
Assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, and is the sixth U.S. ship to bear the name. Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. The ship recently completed a scheduled maintenance availability and is preparing for upcoming operations.
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2022 17:57 |
| Story ID: | 429336 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO , CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 680 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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