Now I Can Tell You.

Its been a couple of days so I think it safe to tell you the real reason we were out here. We were down off the coast of North Virgina just south of Norlfolk with a specific purpose. In earlier posts I indicated that American ships were with us but I left out the name and class of one. The USS Gungston Hall. The Gungston Hall is an amphibious assault vessle.

USS Gungston Hall is seen here with a Canadian Sea King over her deck.

The Canadian government had borrowed this boat and filled it with Vandoos. (Royal 22nd Regiment) from Quebec. They made an assault on LeJune beach on the 18th with the use of 3 Seakings from HMCS Athabaskan, Halifax, and Preserver and 2 LCU's launched from USS Gunston Hall. During the exercise Athabaskan and Halifax provided a screen against small fast moving boats and and aircraft that were launched from the shore.

LCU enroute to LeJune Beach filled with Vandoos

This is the first time Canada has practiced amphibious assaults in about 30 years and represents a change in thinking of the upper echelon. Just the fact that they are practicing this evelution is a very positive thing. Rumours also have it that if things go well DND is considering purchasing 2 ships of the same class as Gungston Hall. But that is just a rumor.

Beyond that I have a couple of extra pictures here to post. They aren't really related to what was going on but I think they are kinda interesting.

One is a picture of an American Ticondaroga class crusier The other is a picture of our Sea King on deck doing a hot fueling.

Thats all for now. Stay tuned more to come.