On February 22, 1964, USS LaSalle was commissioned as an Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) and joined her sister ships, USS Raleigh and USS Vancouver, as the newest class of amphibious ships in the Navy. Mobility, flexibility and versatility were the trademarks of these ships. Each could transport over 800 combat-ready Marines, along with their equipment, vehicles, ammunition, fuel and cargo, at high speeds to the site of an amphibious operation. A variety of boats, cranes, elevators and conveyors, plus the ability to embark helicopters, enabled these operations to be conducted quickly and efficiently. LaSalle’s operations have been far from routine and she has demonstrated her flexibility in numerous and varied operations. In 1965, she served as the flagship for Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Forces during the Dominican Crisis and participated in the evacuation of Construction Battalion SIX from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In 1966, LaSalle became the first ship of her size to successfully recover and return a Project Gemini space capsule to Cape Canaveral, Florida. During 1969, LaSalle served as the test platform for the prototype AV-8 HARRIER VTOL fighter-bomber. After an extensive overhaul in Philadelphia in 1972, LaSalle was redesignated as a Miscellaneous Command Ship (AGF) ( Control and Communications) and assumed duties for Commander, Middle East Force. During this time the ship was painted white to reflect the hot sun and was affectionately nicknamed, “The Great White Ghost of the Arabian Coast,” and steamed an average of 55,000 miles annually calling on ports in Africa, Asia and the Middle East in support of Commander Middle East Force. In 1979, LaSalle assisted in the evacuation of 260 American and foreign national civilians from the Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas, and subsequently became the focal point of U.S. activity in the Persian Gulf at the outset of the Iranian Hostage Crisis. The combination of this crisis and the outset of the Iran-Iraq War, which began in 1980, brought about a dramatic increase in the command and support responsibilities placed on the ship and her crew. In November 1980, LaSalle was relieved by USS Coronado and returned stateside for the first time in almost 9 years. Upon arrival, she began a major overhaul which included increasing her air conditioning capacity, replacing and upgrading the ship’s four turbine generators, adding an extensive electronics and communications package and replacing two 3” gun mounts with the MK 15 Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS). After undergoing this extensive overhaul in Norfolk, LaSalle returned to the Persian Gulf and became the flagship for Commander, Middle East Forces in June 1983. In 1984, LaSalle embarked three CH-53 helicopters and associated equipment from Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 14 to conduct mine sweep operations in the Red Sea in response to anonymous attempts to disrupt the free passage of shipping. In the beginning of 1986, LaSalle conducted contingency operations off the coast of Yemen, in the Gulf of Aden, during the country’s civil war. With the onset of the Gulf Tanker War, LaSalle continued to serve as the command platform for COMIDEASTFOR, responsible for coordinating force operations in the Arabian Gulf. After the Iraqi missile attack on the USS Stark (FFG 31) in May 1987, LaSalle provided the primary fire fighting rescue assistance and crew support to the ship. Throughout 1987, LaSalle served as the command platform for all Arabian Gulf Convoy Escort Operations. In September 1987, LaSalle acted as the launch platform for the assault on the Iranian mine laying vessel IRAN AJR. Crews and assault craft from LaSalle conducted the assault on the vessel and effected the detention of its crew while La Salle’s prize crews manned “IRAN AJR”. LaSalle was temporarily relieved of Flagship duties in late February 1988 and began a 7,000-mile transit to Yokosuka, Japan, where she completed a dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability in August 1988. She arrived back in the Arabian Gulf in October 1988 and assumed duties in support of the newly established Commander, Joint Task Force Middle East. In January 1991, LaSalle assumed the responsibility of commanding and coordinating the multi-national Maritime Intercept Force during Operation Desert Shield. At the request of Kuwait’s recognized government, naval forces in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea intercepted merchant shipping and vigorously enforced the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council. During this time, LaSalle concurrently served as flagship for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command. During Operation Desert Storm, La Salle returned to the United States to begin a 17-month overhaul in preparation for its next assignment as The United States SIXTH Fleet Flagship. During the overhaul, La Salle received extensive upgrades to its communications, and command and control capabilities. A floating barge, utilized as crew living quarters and an office complex, was fitted into the well deck and upper vehicle of the flagship in order to support the staff of Commander Sixth Fleet during LaSalle’s newest assignment as the Flagship. Since assuming responsibilities as Flagship to Commander, SIXTH Fleet on November 8, 1994, La Salle has proudly served and has been fully engaged in operations throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas in her role of supporting COMSIXTHFLT and Strike Force and Logistics South. Additionally, La Salle’s diplomatic role fosters goodwill and understanding between the United States and Western Asian, Middle Eastern and Southern European Mediterranean countries. LaSalle’s accomplishments in the Mediterranean theater include her participation in Joint Task Force FLEXIBLE ANVIL, Joint Task Force NOBLE ANVIL and Operation ALLIED FORCE in support of the NATO response to Serbian aggression in the province of Kosovo in the Spring of 1999. From June to December 1999, La Salle underwent a dry-dock Selective Restricted Availability (DSRA) in Toulon, France, returning to sea in early 2000. In 2001, LaSalle received a three month Selective Restricted Availability (SRA) in Valetta, Malta and participated in a Black Sea deployment. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, LaSalle became fully engaged in the war on terrorism, serving as SIXTH Fleet’s big deck supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of the ship's last major assignments was supporting NATO-led efforts to control the international waters off Greece during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. LaSalle continued to meet every challenge, completed every mission, and fulfilled all tasking providing a tradition of team work for the new century. The ship has received 35 unit awards, including six Meritorious Unit Commendation Medals, six Navy Excellency ribbons, four Armed Forces Service Medals, four Navy Unit Commendation Medals, three Navy Expeditionary Medals, three Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, two Humanitarian Service Medals, two Combat Active Ribbons, one NATO Medal, one Kosovo Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. “The USS LaSalle has carried her message of democracy for 41 years, and she has done it masterfully,” said Rear Adm. Mark R. Milliken, director, Navy International Programs Office, guest speaker and former commanding officer of USS La Salle. "Today, we are not just decommissioning the Great White Ghost of the Arabian Coast, we are saying thank you." Thank you to those who have served, and to those who will go on to serve in another capacity in this great Navy. For you are now, and forever will be, a part of history. The ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Herman A. Shelanski, echoed the admiral’s comments, but also wanted to extend his appreciation to the crew. “I want to thank the superb crew who successfully met all of its challenging commitments." They participated in numerous multinational exercises, countless days at sea conducting Maritime Intercept Operations, and they were essential to the defense of Athens against terrorist activity during the Summer Olympics, he said. We have been as far away as Ireland and the Black Sea, where we improved relationships and fostered goodwill. This could not have happened without the expertise and hard work of all of the LaSalle sailors. LaSalle was relieved of its flagship duties by USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) during a change of flagship ceremony in Gaeta, Italy, February 25, 2005. The ship arrived in Norfolk March 17, 2005 for the decommissioning. Home