Post Vietnam War and Transfer To Turkish Navy
From 7 September through 1 October 1972 Westchester County operated in logistic support of Mine Flotilla 1. She returned to Yokosuka on 15 October for availability and inspection. The ship made a brief transit to Okinawa, departing on 30 November. She returned to Yokosuka on 5 December 1972 and enjoyed the Christmas holidays while in upkeep status. On 27 January 1973, following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, the ship was underway for Subic Bay to transport mine counter-measures equipment and Commander, Mine Flotilla One to the Gulf of Tonkin. Due to a breakdown in the cease-fire negotiations, the tank landing ship was ordered to a rendezvous point near Da Nang. Departing the vicinity on 3 March, she continued to work in support of "Operation End Sweep". After availability and shore bombardment exercises at Subic Bay which commenced on 14 March, Westchester County returned to Vietnam in support of "Operation End Sweep" which was completed on 18 July. The ship made stops at Subic Bay and Okinawa before finally arriving at Yokosuka on 30 July. Westchester County was decommissioned on 30 August 1973 and arrived at the Inactive Ship Facility, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington on 30 November of that year. On 27 August 1974 she was turned over to the Turkish Navy and commissioned as Serdar (L-402). Decommissioned by the Turkish Navy in 2011.
Read more about this topic: USS Westchester County (LST-1167)
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