Atlantic and Caribbean Operations, 1953-1960
Following shakedown in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, LST-1162 operated out of the United States Atlantic Fleet's Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia, for the remainder of 1953, conducting local operations out of Little Creek and off the coast of Florida. In 1954, LST-1162 participated in Atlantic Fleet amphibious maneuvers "NprAmEx" and "LantFlex" and conducted operations with the Operational Development Force out of Key West, Florida, testing antisubmarine warfare gear. Later during 1954, LST-1162 visited Havana, Cuba, with embarked naval reservists. During March 1955, LST-1162 operated off Bloodsworth Island, conducting gunfire tests and serving as range safety vessel at the Navy's gunnery practice areas there.
On 1 July 1955, USS LST-1162 was named USS Wahkiakum County (LST-1162). For the next five years, Wahkiakum County pursued a regular schedule of operations off the United States East Coast and into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Operating with the Atlantic Fleet's amphibious force, she served alternatively as a helicopter carrier -— a harbinger of the roles which other ships of her type would perform during the Vietnam War; a shore bombardment safety vessel; an afloat gunnery training ship; and a transport for Navy construction battalions (CB's or "Seabees") and their equipment.
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Famous quotes containing the words atlantic and, atlantic and/or caribbean:
“We are eager to tunnel under the Atlantic and bring the Old World some weeks nearer to the New; but perchance the first news that will leak through into the broad, flapping American ear will be that the Princess Adelaide has the whooping cough.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The shallowest still water is unfathomable. Wherever the trees and skies are reflected, there is more than Atlantic depth, and no danger of fancy running aground.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“But now Miss America, World’s champion woman, you take your promenading self down into the cobalt blue waters of the Caribbean and see what happens. You meet a lot of darkish men who make vociferous love to you, but otherwise pay you no mid.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)