Germantown celebrates 30th birthday

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class James Vazquez | 160209-N-KB426-295 EASTERN COAST OKINAWA (Feb. 8, 2016) – Cmdr. Gary A. Harrington II, commanding officer of amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), center, cuts a cake during a celebration in honor of the ship's 30th birthday. Germantown is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is participating in amphibious integration training (AIT) and a certification exercise (CERTEX) with the embarked 31st MEU. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Vazquez/Released)  

USS GERMANTOWN, PACIFIC OCEAN

02.12.2016

Courtesy Story

USS Germantown (LSD 42)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Vazquez, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

EAST COAST OKINAWA – Amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) celebrated its 30th year of service during a cake-cutting ceremony while forward-deployed in the 7th Fleet area of operation, Feb. 9.

Germantown was commissioned on Feb. 8, 1986.

“It is very fitting that the Germantown celebrate its 30th birthday while we are underway and with Marines aboard,” said Cmdr. Gary Harrington II, commanding officer of Germantown.

The 31st MEU is currently embarked aboard Germantown while the ship conducts amphibious integration training (AIT).

During the cake-cutting ceremony, Harrington shared the significance of Germantown’s namesake, the Battle of Germantown, and some of the ship’s accomplishments with the Sailors and Marines.

Throughout the last 30 years, Germantown has participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and assisted in disaster relief efforts during the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

“It was interesting to learn more about the ship,” said Yeoman Seaman Julieta B. Perezhernandez. “Thirty years is a long time in service, longer than most of the ship’s Sailors have been alive.”

“I’m extremely proud to be the commanding officer of the USS Germantown, and I look forward to watching these Sailors and Marines add to her legacy,” concluded Harrington.

Germantown is currently assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is participating in amphibious integration training (AIT) with the embarked 31st MEU.

For more information about USS Germantown, visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/USS-Germantown-LSD-42-142490469156247/.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2016
• Date Posted: 02.12.2016 21:16
• Story ID: 188782
• Location: USS GERMANTOWN, PACIFIC OCEAN