thedrifter
05-22-03, 06:42 AM
May 21, 2003
Hagee visits shipyard, inspects new vessel
By Doug Simpson
Associated Press
AVONDALE, La. — The ships now under construction in south Louisiana will greatly improve the ability to launch simultaneous attacks with troops, aircraft and tanks, the commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday.
Gen. Michael Hagee was at Avondale Operations shipyard to inspect the progress of Northrop Grumman’s $1 billion amphibious transport dock, to be named the San Antonio, which is about 70 percent complete.
The 684-foot ship will carry helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft, missile systems, at least 600 Marines and an M1A1 tank.
“The Navy and Marine Corps’ job is to inject combat power ashore from the sea, and do it in a hostile environment,” Hagee said. “This ship is going to enable us to do that. It’s going to allow us more flexibility and agility.”
The ship is set to be christened this summer. Three more of 12 to be constructed are being built at Avondale and at Ingalls Operations shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
Hagee said about 68 percent of the Marine Corps forces are now deployed, including all tank and light armored vehicle battalions, with troops in Iraq and Okinawa, Japan, near North Korea.
Nonetheless, Hagee said the Marines are not stretched too thin.
“They’re doing what they need to do,” he said. “We have sufficient forces to do the missions that have been assigned to us.”
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Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
Sempers,
Roger
Hagee visits shipyard, inspects new vessel
By Doug Simpson
Associated Press
AVONDALE, La. — The ships now under construction in south Louisiana will greatly improve the ability to launch simultaneous attacks with troops, aircraft and tanks, the commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday.
Gen. Michael Hagee was at Avondale Operations shipyard to inspect the progress of Northrop Grumman’s $1 billion amphibious transport dock, to be named the San Antonio, which is about 70 percent complete.
The 684-foot ship will carry helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft, missile systems, at least 600 Marines and an M1A1 tank.
“The Navy and Marine Corps’ job is to inject combat power ashore from the sea, and do it in a hostile environment,” Hagee said. “This ship is going to enable us to do that. It’s going to allow us more flexibility and agility.”
The ship is set to be christened this summer. Three more of 12 to be constructed are being built at Avondale and at Ingalls Operations shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
Hagee said about 68 percent of the Marine Corps forces are now deployed, including all tank and light armored vehicle battalions, with troops in Iraq and Okinawa, Japan, near North Korea.
Nonetheless, Hagee said the Marines are not stretched too thin.
“They’re doing what they need to do,” he said. “We have sufficient forces to do the missions that have been assigned to us.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
Sempers,
Roger