------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US battleship USS Boxer berths at Mormugao harbour on back journey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The USS Boxer (LHD4), an amphibious helicopter carrier, on its way home to San Diego, California, after the successful completion its mission of supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom II, has berthed at the Mormugao harbour.
USS Boxer, 844 feet long and 118 feet wide, can carry a range of aircraft including helicopters like the CH-46 Sea Knight, AH-1W Cobra, the AV-8B Harrier fighter aircraft and others. The battleship can also accommodate 1200 marines and 900 sailors on board.
Taking news reporters on a conducted tour of the ship today, the ship's public affairs officer, Mr Jack Chirrick confirmed there is one sailor of Indian origin on the USS Boxer.
The ship's commanding officer, Captain Thomas Crowley told reporters that the Goa stopover is just for recreation and that no naval exercises are planned with the Indian navy. Captain Crowley, who has commanded three specific missions on the USS Boxer said it was a happy day for him when his crew from different ethnic backgrounds regardless of caste, creed and colour, worked as a team to successfully complete its mission in the Arabian Gulf ahead of schedule.
When asked, Captain Crowley said he considered the Indian Navy as "one of the most professional navies in the world." In a powerpoint presentation, public affairs officer, Mr Chirrick showed that USS Boxer has as its future air asset, the V-22 Osprey multi-mission capable, long range high speed aircraft.
He said it is still in testing phase. Mr Chirrick said the ship also carries NATO Sea Sparrow Launchers and Close in Weapons System (CIWS) but emphasised that these are for self defence only.
Crew members also showed reporters around the ship's well-equipped medical facilities that include six operating rooms, two x-ray rooms, 17 bed intensive care unit, a 47-bed ward and 600 light care beds.
"It's a rather large hospital," Mr Chirrick said. A para-medic explained that the X-ray machines are some of the latest and that X-rays taken on board can be e-mailed back home at medical headquarters in San Diego for expert opinion of senior doctors there.
For recreation, the USS Boxer has libraries, games, karoake, television and an in-house journal aptly titled, In the Ring. When asked, Mr Chirrick said the ship has no swimming pool but "we are floating on the largest swimming pool in the world." A quarter or one-third of the crew is female, he said.
The USS Boxer that deployed from San Diego, California on January 14 is expected to reach home late April. One crew member from Virginia told this reporter he is eager to get home as his fiancee is expecting their baby in May. ----------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 10/3/04 page 3 -----------------------------------------------
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