Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho | Chris Sherman, yeoman chief, assigned to Amphibious Squadron 5, hands a tray of pizzas...... read more read more
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USS NEW ORLEANS, At Sea - Naval traditions run deep in the Marine Corps. In fact, the 1775 resolution establishing the Continental Marines specifically directed recruiting efforts to focus on “good seamen, those acquainted with maritime affairs, and those who would be willing to serve at sea when requested”—those first recruits boarded the Alfred in Philadelphia to man the guns, protect the vessel and serve as infantrymen from the sea.
That tradition continues today. Recently, off the coast of Ancon, Peru, reserve Marines and Sailors attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 24, began a multi-national amphibious exercise called Partnership of the Americas and Southern Exchange 2010.
Military members from nine other nations were invited to board one of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport docks, the USS New Orleans—or what U.S. Marines refer to as “Bourbon Street”.
The ship is 684 feet long with a crew of 360 Navy personnel, and can deliver a fully equipped battalion of 700 Marines (800 if expanded) by air, land, and sea. Her flight deck or platform can hold four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two V-22 rotary wing Ospreys. The back of the ship , or aft, can sink itself, flooding the well-deck with ocean water to release 14 Marine amphibious assault vehicles and two Navy hover crafts (Landing Craft Air Cushion) or one Landing Craft Unit—the Navy’s vehicles to transport Marines and their gear to the shore.
Ship life
The ship is not the largest in the U.S. fleet, but with nine decks and a multitude of air-lock chambers connecting one compartment to another, it certainly can be challenging the first few days on board. Pfc. Zacharry Gharst of Kansas City, Kan., said, “The most confusing part is trying to get from port to starboard side [or from left to right side] of the ship. Sometimes you have to go up or down two decks to find a passage way through.”
Getting to know your way around is just the first hurdle. Many first time ship riders often bump their heads on the “ladder wells” or stairways that are steep and narrow. Sgt. Charles Hayes of Kansas City, Mo., a seasoned ship rider, said “Scuttle hatches are the worst,” referring to the round manhole sized door that one must shimmy through to access some decks.
Ship sounds and sways
Due to the many chambers and hidden areas on ship, the main form of communication is a speaker system used throughout the day. Over the speakers blows a whistle, or what sailors refer to as a pipe. Blowing the pipe is a naval tradition used to sound everything from morning wake up “reveille”, to chow call, or just to gain attention before passing a message.
At first the calls were misunderstood and cryptic to the new Marine ship riders. At one point, the pipe caused everyone in the operations center to stop and listen. Sgt. Justin Starnes of Kansas City, Mo., threw his hands in the air like a referee and said, “Foul!”
Some Marines enjoy ship life while others find it nauseating. Sgt. Maj. Gary Payne from Nashville, Tenn., said, “I took the pills, but still got sea sick. I can’t wait to back to shore.” Cpl. Gregory Oswalt of Rancho Cucamunga, Calif., said, “I like the way the ship moves back and forth. It rocks you to sleep like a baby.”
Ship comforts
Although sleeping quarters are cramped and air conditioning is chilling the ship as if it were a meat locker, there are certainly a great number of activities and comforts on the New Orleans. Hot showers and hot meals are luxuries for the typical infantry Marine who can go days to months in the field eating MRE’s or boiled T-rations (a MRE for 100 Marines).
The food on “Bourbon Street” is tasty and well-served. The food service team even schedules favorite meal days like hamburger Wednesdays and pizza Fridays. The coffee selection offers mocha, vanilla, and cappuccino. Plus the price is great—everything from the mess hall is free.
While on board, there is always something to do during off hours. It is a city in itself with its own post office, barber shop, store, chapel, library, internet access, weight room, and cardiovascular gym. Many Marines also read, play cards, or just tour the upper decks for the great views and sunsets.
Work pace
The ship has its comforts but it is not the Love Boat. There are only about 75 Marines left on board, primarily from Marine Medium Lift Helicopter Squadron 764, so there is always something to do or a mission to be accomplished. Marines and Navy deck hands run flight operations, launching CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters to shuttle Marines and partner nation forces to and from the ship for amphibious orientation and training. Both Marines and sailors, with color-coded vests designating their role, ensure that the “birds” are fueled, loaded, armed, and mechanically sound to fly.
The lower well-deck (the rear of the ship that sinks itself) was full of activity and cargo during the initial off-load in Ancon, Peru. Wheeled vehicles were loaded first onto the Landing Craft Unit then the ship’s aft was flooded causing the ferry to float and pull away, taking the Marines and vehicles directly to the beach.
When the LCU returned to the ship, it pulled in and the aft was pumped dry. Then forklifts moved quickly to put numerous shipping containers and pallets on the craft. Wave after wave of cargo and Marines headed to shore. One of the returning trips brought about 100 Peruvian Marines to the New Orleans who stayed for two days then off-loaded in another amphibious landing up the coast at Salinas—the Peruvian base used for weapons training.
The empty well-deck is now used as a running track for those keeping in shape, but will be filled again as the multi-national exercise finishes July 24.
Although the technology has changed since 1775, Navy / Marine Corps tradition has not. Marines will continue to provide force protection from the sea using the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined armed task forces worldwide.
The combined exercises, Partnership of the Americas 2010 and Southern Exchange 2010, will run simultaneously from July 2-24 in Salinas and Ancon, Peru. The exercises will focus on interoperability between the USMC and forces from 9 other partner nations, exposing them to fundamentals that will enhance partner nation capabilities in the execution of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions that are common amongst Marines throughout the Americas: marksmanship, patrolling, convoy operations, water survival, amphibious training, checkpoint operations, civil affairs, human rights training and military operations in urban terrain.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2010 21:18 |
| Story ID: | 52789 |
| Location: | USS NEW ORLEANS, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 335 |
| Downloads: | 204 |
This work, Life on Bourbon Street - Marine Reserves adjust to Life on Ship, by LT Peter Walz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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