USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), nicknamed "Devil Dog", was the second ship named after the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I. Her keel was laid down on 5 March 1973 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding. She was launched on 11 April 1977, and commissioned on 23 September 1978, with Captain T.C. Steele in command.
Belleau Wood was the third of five ships in a new class (Tarawa class) of general-purpose amphibious assault ships and combined into one ship type the functions previously performed by four different types: the amphibious assault ship (LPH/Landing Platform Helicopter), the amphibious transport dock (LPD), the amphibious cargo ship (LKA), and the dock landing ship (LSD). She was capable of landing elements of a United States Marine Corps battalion landing team and their supporting equipment by landing craft, helicopters, or a combination of both.
LHA-3: displacement 39,300; length 820'; beam 106'; draft 26'; speed 20 + knots; complement 904; armament: three 5-inch/54 guns, two Basic Point Defense Missile Systems and six 20-mm machine guns; sensors: SPS-52 3D search radar, SPS-10 and SPS-40 search radars, SPN-35 Air/navigation radar, Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data System, and OE-82 satellite communications antenna, SSR-1 receiver and WSC-3 transceiver.
Content
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 Kernal 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).