SASEBO, Japan - Before the USS Denver sails into history, its crew received some help with the decommissioning process from Defense Logistics Agency personnel at Sasebo and Iwakuni, Japan.
The entire Sasebo Recycling Center staff and Craig Banks, Iwakuni’s disposal services representative and receiver, began supporting the Denver crew June 1, said Eric Mills, DLA Disposition Services’ site chief at Iwakuni.
“A few remaining items are still at the recycling center awaiting shipment to Iwakuni,” Mills said.
Mills described the 1,500 items turned in at Sasebo as “pretty normal shipboard property,” including electrical items and exercise equipment.
Sasebo staff members received a letter of appreciation from the Denver crew for their support.
According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office, the Denver will complete final decommissioning at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in September.
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay is scheduled to join the U.S. 7th Fleet in February as the Denver’s replacement. Having served since 1968, the older Austin-class was the Navy's oldest ship on active duty next to the USS Constitution.