U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary Public Affairs

October 6th

, 2014

Roger Bazeley, Flotilla 1-7

Public Affairs Photographer

Bazeley@comcast.net

News Release

USS AMERICA the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship arrives for

Commissioning Ceremony and SF Fleet Week 2014

ALAMEDA, Calif.—The U.S. Navy’s newest amphibous ship, the 844’ USS AMERICA

LHA 6 sailed into San Francisco under the fog misted Golden Gate Bridge Tuesday

morning, in preparation for SF Fleet Week 2014. The USS AMERICA under the

command of Captain Robert Hall Jr., is designed to take on a variety of diverse multi-

operational tasks from humanitarian assitance diaster relief missions to those of rapid

deployment response to support national security and defense.

USS AMERICA LHA 6, Berthed at Pier 35 San Francisco, CA Oct. 7, 2014

PHOTOS: Roger Bazeley USCG-AUX 17

The USS AMERICA is the first ship of its class, which will replace the older Tarwa-class

of amphibious assualt ships, with its new capacity to carry 1,500 Marines, but also the

new tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey aircraft and the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The new

operational capabilities allow the positioning and landing of Marines hundreds of miles

inland with out having to risk a contested shore landing. An Ospry was on display

Monday, October 6th

at the Coast Guard Air Station in San Francisco. The Osprey can

transport the Navy’s medical shock trauma platoon, which is made-up of a team of

doctors and nurses prepared to set-up an emergency room any where in the world. The

STP can treat up to 50 patients with 20% being critical without resupply, and perform up

to 18 surgeries within a 48 hour period.

Fleetweek 2014 will incorporate many activities including ship tours, aircrft operational

exercises demonstrating rescue and flight capabilities, the famous Navy Blue Angels

demonstration show with their team of 6 F18 Hornets; flying practices Thursday and

Friday and the complete flight show on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

USCG Preparing for Fleetweek 2014, Photos: Roger Bazeley USCG-AUX 17

The USS AMERICA will be officially commissioned Saturday October 11, 2014 with the

efforts for organizing and fund raising for the commissioning by the Navy League of the

United States and it’s fund raising committee chair Jeanne Sharkey, NLUS. The

organization of the Fleet Week and the many events are made possible by multi-agencies,

organizations, and corporate sponsors whose generosity and hours of volunteer time and

financial support make this a spectacular event that draws several million visitors, each

year.

The USCG and the USCG-Auxillary will be serving in support of Fleet Week events on

the water and land in various operational capacities serving and asisiting the public, men

and women of the Navy, Marine Corps, USCG and other services participating in Fleet

Week 2014. The USCG will also utilize members and personal from USCG Base

Alameda, Sector San Francisco, Air Station San Francisco, USCG Pacific Strike Force

and other units from USCG Northern District and Pacific Area -- to make this a secure,

safe, and exciting event that celebrates the dedication and service of the men and woman

of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, USCG, USCG-Auxillary, Service Veterans and others

that have dedicated their lives in the service and support of the United States maritime

services.

Blue Angel F-18 Hornet, Fleet Week Demonstration Activities USCG Bouy Tender

Photos: Roger Bazeley USCG-AUX 17 (Fleet Week 2012)

Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio the USCG Commander of the Eleventh Coast Guard

District has previously spoken at a NLUS/USCG award Luncheon of the

accomplishments of the dedicated enlisted, civillian, and volunteer auxillary members of

the U.S. Coast Guard Team that support the sucessful missions and goals for ensuring

maritime safety, recreational boating outreach, and maintaining port and national

security, as well as environmental quality through rapid incident response. The USCG

Auxillary plays a vital role as a force multiplier in many of these key missions and

events.

### The USCG Auxilliary is the uniformed civilian componet of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the

USCG in nearly all mission areas. The USCG Auxillary was created by Congress in 1939. For more

information, please visit www.cgaux.org .