HOTEL DEL CORONADO
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO
After lunch, with nephew Jason/Chief Petty Officer/Navy and his wife, Beth we trucked over to the Base to check out Jason's Ship, the Peleliu and his work world. This is the largest Naval Base on the West Coast and principle home port of the Pacific Fleet. It consists of 54 ships and over 200 tenant commands, located on 977 acres with a workforce of approximately 26,000. And yes, our Jason was deployed for 7 months returning in Dec so we were thrilled to be able to connect with him and Beth- and don't forget Bella the pooch.
aka The Del- located on Coronado just across the bay from San Diego and right around the corner from the Navy Base. Quite the wooden Victorian beach resort specimen, it was designated a National Landmark in 1977. The Del opened in 1888 and has hosted the famous and infamous (that would be Bubba and Boca) over the years. Absolutely one of our favorite brunch and lunch spots. After picking up my nephew, Jason (Chief Petty Officer US Navy) from his ship, we ventured over to the Del for an outdoor lunch at the Watershed Restaurant on a perfect California day.
We were also looking forward to joining the daughter, Courtney, of one of our very best friends (Jack Olinger). I remember when she was still in the womb and now she is all grown up and so successful. She completed her PsyD and started her own foundation- Re Spectrum. This organization (respectrum.org) is dedicated to making a difference in the autism community through therapeutic support for the whole family. We are so proud of her many accomplishments and her commitment for making a difference. How's that for some get up and go! Keep up the good work Court and we look forward to hearing about what's next on your horizon.
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO
After lunch, with nephew Jason/Chief Petty Officer/Navy and his wife, Beth we trucked over to the Base to check out Jason's Ship, the Peleliu and his work world. This is the largest Naval Base on the West Coast and principle home port of the Pacific Fleet. It consists of 54 ships and over 200 tenant commands, located on 977 acres with a workforce of approximately 26,000. And yes, our Jason was deployed for 7 months returning in Dec so we were thrilled to be able to connect with him and Beth- and don't forget Bella the pooch.
Peleliu ARG Returns From Deployment
SAN DIEGO - Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) returns to San Diego Saturday Dec. 18 after a seven-month deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, conducting humanitarian relief in Pakistan and counter piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.
"The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit worked together and completed a variety of missions during deployment," said Capt. Dale G. Fuller, Amphibious Squadron 3 commander. "I am proud of each Sailor and Marine's dedication, professionalism and honorable service to their country."
The ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8), amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
While deployed, the PEL ARG participated in Exercise Crocodilo in Timor-Leste, conducting a broad range of military-to-military training; including harbor security, weapons, navigation and engineering while the MEU integrated with Indonesian marines for jungle warfare training.
In August, PEL ARG/15th MEU responded to Pakistan's request for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after monsoonal rains flooded much of the country. Fifteen heavy and medium-lift helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced) delivered supplies and rescued those stranded.
Along with U.S. Navy helicopters assigned to Mine Countermeasure Squadron 15, the ARG/MEU delivered five million pounds of relief supplies and evacuated more than 9,000 people throughout 98 days of providing assistance to the people of Pakistan.
Other significant mission contributions from PEL ARG/15th MEU include AV-8B Harriers of Marine Attack Squadron 311 providing close air support for U.S. military ground forces in Afghanistan, sending in a Maritime Raid Force from Dubuque to embark, seize and recover Motor Vessel Magellan Star after it was hijacked by suspected pirates, and Pearl Harbor, along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81), rescued 62 persons stranded at sea after their skiff capsized off the coast of Somalia.
Peleliu, Dubuque and Pearl Harbor help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and humanitarian assistance/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's maritime strategy when forward deployed.
And yes Uncle Keith this is my rack- it's 6 foot long and I am 6'4. How the heck do you get up in there Jay? I grab on to the light fixtures pull myself up and swing in. OMG. So the others are sleeping right next to and below you. What about bodily noises and smells? Yes Aunt Pam, it's all that and more. Jason gave us a family tour of this extraordinary ship and situation. About 3500 of them floating around for 7 months with only 2 land stops for 2 days. How do you not get on each others nerves? Work, eat and sleep together day after day. God Bless those Sailors and the 2500 Marines they were hauling around. We are so proud of Jason for all that he has achieved during his 16 year Navy career. Keep up the good work J. We look forward to hearing more about your future accomplishments!
"The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit worked together and completed a variety of missions during deployment," said Capt. Dale G. Fuller, Amphibious Squadron 3 commander. "I am proud of each Sailor and Marine's dedication, professionalism and honorable service to their country."The ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8), amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
While deployed, the PEL ARG participated in Exercise Crocodilo in Timor-Leste, conducting a broad range of military-to-military training; including harbor security, weapons, navigation and engineering while the MEU integrated with Indonesian marines for jungle warfare training.
In August, PEL ARG/15th MEU responded to Pakistan's request for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after monsoonal rains flooded much of the country. Fifteen heavy and medium-lift helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced) delivered supplies and rescued those stranded.
Along with U.S. Navy helicopters assigned to Mine Countermeasure Squadron 15, the ARG/MEU delivered five million pounds of relief supplies and evacuated more than 9,000 people throughout 98 days of providing assistance to the people of Pakistan.Other significant mission contributions from PEL ARG/15th MEU include AV-8B Harriers of Marine Attack Squadron 311 providing close air support for U.S. military ground forces in Afghanistan, sending in a Maritime Raid Force from Dubuque to embark, seize and recover Motor Vessel Magellan Star after it was hijacked by suspected pirates, and Pearl Harbor, along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81), rescued 62 persons stranded at sea after their skiff capsized off the coast of Somalia.
Peleliu, Dubuque and Pearl Harbor help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and humanitarian assistance/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's maritime strategy when forward deployed.
