The Kearsarge (LHD 3) is the third Wasp-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy. She is the fifth ship to be named (the fourth actually commissioned) in honor of the sloop-of-war that gained fame during the American Civil War, which was in turn named for Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire. The contract to build her was awarded to Ingalls on Nov 20, 1987. The keel was laid on February 6, 1990, and she was launched on March 26, 1992.

April 19, 1993 The Pre-Commissioning Unit Kearsarge departed Ingalls Shipbuilding for the first time to conduct Builder's sea trials. Acceptance trials conducted from June 14-17 and July 30-31. The amphibious assault ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy on Aug. 16. USS Kearsarge was commissioned on October 16. Capt. David J. Montgomery in command. The ship departed Pascagoula, Miss., on Oct. 19 and arrived at its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 26.

November 8, The Kearsarge commenced Fitting Out Availability while pierside at Norfolk, Va.

February 22, 1994 USS Kearsarge departed homeport for Refresher Training (REFTRA) in the Guantanamo Bay Op. Area.

April 7, LHD 3 departed Naval Station Norfolk for Combat Systems Ships Qualifications Trials (CSSQT) in the Puerto Rican OPAREA.

May 4, The Kearsagre underway for final contract trials with the Board of Inspection ans Survey (INSURV).

June 2, The amphibious assault ship arrived in New York City to participate in Fleet Week.

August 22, USS Kearsarge entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

November 18, The Kearsarge departed homeport for Joint Task Force (JTF) 1-95; Embarked Marines from 2nd Bn, 6th Regiment for Type Commanders Amphibious Training (TCAT), from Nov. 28- Dec. 16.

January 13, 1995 Capt. Christopher W. Cole relieved Capt. David J. Montgomery as commanding officer of LHD 3.

From Jan. 19- Feb. 6, the Kearsarge participated in Special Operations Capability Exercise (SOCEX) and Joint Forces Exercise (JTFEX).

March 22, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for its maiden Mediterranean deployment.

April 5, The Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) pulled into Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a five-day port call and turnover with the USS Nassau (LHA 4) ARG as Commander, Task Force (TF) 61.

April 11, USS Kearsarge arrived in Malaga, Spain, for a four-day port visit; Inport Alicante from April 24-29; Participated in exercise Destined Glory from May 1-11, that included complete off-load and backload of all 24th MEU vehicles.

May 12, The Kearsarge arrived in Marseille, France, for a four-day port visit; Entered the Adriatic Sea on May 29.

June 2, USS Kearsarge ARG was put on 24 hour TRAP Alert, after U.S. Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady was shot down near Mrkonjic Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by a Bosnian Serb SA-6, while he was patrolling the no-fly zone in his F-16C from 555th Fighter Squadron. He was rescued on June 8, by two CH-53 Stallions with 51 Marines from the 24th MEU, after six days behind enemy lines.

June 10, The Kearsarge anchored off Trieste, Italy, for a three-day port visit; Anchored off Naples, Italy, from June 21-27.

July 12, The amphibious assault ship anchored off the coast of Corfu for a four-day visit to Greece before participating in Albanian SAREX (Rescue Eagle), from July 17-21.

July 31, LHD 3 pulled into Valletta, Malta, for a three-day port call. Another visit to Corfu, Greece, from Aug. 21-24; Port visit to Barcelona, Spain, from Aug. 29- Sept. 1.

From September 4-8, the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group rejoined in Rota, Spain, to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment.

September 9, The Kearsarge ARG rendezvoused with the Wasp (LHD 1) ARG to conduct turnover; Arrived in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, for offload and to embark "Tigers" on Sept. 20.

September 22, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment.

November 10, The Kearsarge arrived in New York City to participate in Veterans Day Parade; Moored at Naval Station Newport, R.I., for Navy schools from Nov. 14-17.

From Dec. 11-14, the amphibious assault ship offloaded ammunition in preparation for a four-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at NNSY.

January 10, 1996 USS Kearsarge entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a SRA; Underway for sea trials on May 1.

May 10, The Kearsagre completed a four-day deperming process at Magnetic Silencing Facility in Norfolk.

May 23, Capt. Micahael T. Wittkamp relieved Capt. Christopher W. Cole as CO of USS Kearsarge.

June 24, The Kearsarge underway for a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) I; Moored the Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for ammo onload from July 9-?.

July 26, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a Friends and Family Day Cruise.

September 17, The amphibious assault ship departed homeport for TSTA III and ITT; Underway for TSTA IV and Type Commander's Amphibious Test (TCAT) from Sept. 30- Oct. 8; Underway for Final Evaluation Phase (FEP) from Oct. 14-18; Underway again for TCAT from Nov. 5-9.

December 13, The Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training (PMINT).

January 13, 1997 USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for routine training in the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Operating Area.

From February 4-14, the Kearsarge was underway for Comprehensive Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Supporting Arms Coordination Exercise (SACEX); Underway for a Joint Fleet Exercise (JTFEX) 97-2 from March 6-24.

April 15, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, with the 22nd MEU, to relieve the USS Nassau (LHA 4) off the west African coast in anticipation of a noncombatant evacuation from the unstable country of Zaire.

After supporting Operation Guardian Retrieval, off the coast Zaire, from May 3-26 and Operation Noble Obelisk from May 27- June 5, off the coast of Sierra Leone, the Kearsarge arrived in Las Palmas, Spain, for a four-day visit to Gran Canaria. The total number of evacuees transported from Freetown to Conacry, Guinea, during the six-day evulution was 2500.

June 16, USS Kearsarge pulled into Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a three-day port call; Upkeep in Naples, Italy, from June 26- July 6.

From July 10-18, the Kearsarge ARG participated in exercise INVITEX '97 in the Ionian Sea; Participated in exercise Atlas Hinge, off the coast of Tunisia, from July 21-28.

July 28, USS Kearsarge arrived in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a week-long liberty port visit.

August 11, The amphibious assault ship arrived again at Naval Station Rota for a 10-day Standdown period.

August 29, USS Kearsarge arrived in Barcelona, Spain, for a week-long liberty port visit; Inport Valencia, Spain, from Sept. 6-13.

September 24, The Kearsarge arrived in Rota, Spain, for an eight-day port call to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdown.

October 15, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet AoR.

November 14, Capt. Peter A. Masciangelo relieved Capt. Micahael T. Wittkamp as comanding officer of the LHD 3.

From Nov. 18-20, the Kearsarge offloaded ammunition at Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey.

December 9, The amphibious assault ship departed Norfolk for Type Commander's Amphibious Test (TCAT) 98-1.

January 12, 1998 USS Kearsarge entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) for a four-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

May 9, The Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway for sea trials.

May 20, LHD 3 arrived at Homeport Pier in Staten Island to participate in the Fleet Week New York; Moored at Leonardo Pier on Naval Weapons Station Earle to onload ammunition on May 29.

June 8, USS Kearsarge departed homeport for a four-day Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART II) and Engineering Certification; Underway for TSTA I from June 22-26, July 6-10 and July 13-17; Underway for TSTA II from Aug. 29- Set. 4.

September 15, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a 10-day TSTA III and TCAT at Cherry Point Op. Area; Underway off the coast of Virginia for FEP, Oct. 13-15 and deck landing qualifications with the 2nd MAW, from Oct. 26-29.

December 14, The Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a week-long PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training (PMINT).

January 25, 1999 USS Kearsarge ARG departed for Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX).

From Feb. 11 through March 3, the Amphibious Ready Group participated in Joint Forces Exercise (JTFEX), Supporting Arms Coordination Exercise (SACEX) and Special Operations Capability Exercise (SOCEX) in the Cherry Point and Puerto Rican Operating Areas.

April 1, The Kearsarge departed homeport for a Dependent's Day Cruise.

April 14, USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled Mediterranean deployment.

April 28, USS Kearsarge ARG arrived in Adriatic Sea to relieve the USS Nassau (LHA 4) ARG as CTF- 61/62 for Operation Noble Anvil/Allied Force.

The three ships deployed Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit into Albania, to construct a camp for refugees fleeing the fighting in Kosovo. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers conducted numerous bombing runs into Kosovo during the NATO-led effort to remove Serbian armed forces from the province.

May 29, The Kearsarge arrived in Brindisi, Italy, for a five-day port visit; Backloaded Marines from Albania on June 4. While on station in the Adriatic Sea, The ARG conducted 45 Harrier strike missions and 1335 helicopter missions in direct support of Allied Force and Noble Anvil.

From June 7-30, USS Kearsarge operated in Aegean Sea in support of Operation Joint Guardian; Commenced off-load of 26th MEU across Litokhoron beach, Greece, for movement to Skopje, FYROM, on June 10.

June 24,The Kearsarge arrived in Haifa, Israel, for a twelve-day port call; On July 8, AV-8B Harriers deployed to shore base at Souda Bay, Crete.

July 13, USS Kearsarge pulled into Thessaloniki, Greece, for a brief port call in support of U.S. Secretary of Defense visit to Greece; Inport Thessaloniki again to backload Marines from July 15-18.

July 16, Capt. Reubin B. Bookert relieved Capt. Peter A. Masciangelo as CO of the Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Thessaloniki port.

July 27, USS Kearsarge pulled into Rota, Spain, for a two-week Standdown to conduct vehicle maintenance and washdown.

August 13, USS Kearsarge arrived in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a six-day liberty port visit.

August 23, The ARG arrived in Sea of Marmara to conduct military relief disaster operations in support of Avid Response. The heavily populated city of Izmit and surrounding areas were the hardest hit Aug. 17, by an early-morning 7.6-magnitude earthquake that left over 17,000 dead and thousands more injured and homeless.

September 13, LHD 3 pulled into Catania, Sicilly, for a two-day port call before participating in exercise Atlas Hinge, off Cap Serat, Tunisia.

September 27, The Kearsarge ARG arrived again at Naval Station Rota for a five-day port call to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment; Conducted turnover with the Bataan (LHD 5) ARG on Oct. 1.

October 14, USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment.

From Nov. 15-19, the Kearsarge conducted ammunition off-load at Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., in preparation for the ship's Drydocking Preventative Maintenance Availability (DPMA).

January 17, 2001 Capt. Steven C. Schlientz relieved Capt. Reubin B. Bookert as commanding officer of the LHD 3.

January 22, The amphibious assault ship departed Norfolk to conduct TRACKEX in the Puerto Rican Area of Operation; Port visit to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, from Jan. 28- Feb. 1.

From February 2-16, the Kearsarge participated in MEUEX at Cherry Point OPAREA. Underway in the Cherry Point and Jacksonville Op. Areas for JTFEX, SACEX and SOCEX from March 8-28; Inport Naval Station Mayport from March 11-13.

April 17, USS Wasp (LHD 1) port elevator collided with the Kearsarge moored starboard elevator, while the Wasp was geting underway from Naval Station Norfolk. Several flight deck nets are damaged.

April 25, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled Medoterranean deployment, with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) CBG.

May 8, The Kearsarge ARG pulled into Rota, Spain, for a three-day port call and a turnover with USS Nassau (LHA 4) ARG.

May 14, LHD 3 arrived in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a six-day port visit. Participated in exercise Trident D'or, off Sardinia, from May 21- June 1 and exercise Alexander the Great from June 5-15.

June 18, USS Kearsarge anchored off the coast of Rhodes, Greece, for a four day port visit.

June 22, An CH-46A crashed off the coast of Crete during a routine training. All four crewmembers are rescued.

June 25, USS Kearsarge pulled into Naples, Italy, for a three-day liberty port visit.

From July 1-13, the Kearsarge participated in Albanian Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX); Inport Brindisi, Italy, from July 5-9.

From July 17-22, USS Kearsarge was underway off the coast of Genoa, Italy, in support of the U.S. President Bush visit to G-8 Summit.

July 23, The amphibious assault ship anchored off Cannes, France, for a four-day liberty port visit.

August 1, USS Kearsarge pulled into Rijeka, Croatia, for a two-week Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV) with the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39).

August 17, The Kearsarge arrived in Toulon, France, for a three-day port call; Inport Tarragona, Spain, to offload elements of the 24th MEU in support of KFOR, from Aug. 21-24; Inport Valletta, Malta, from Aug. 28-31.

September 4, LHD 3 arrived in Marmaris, Turkey, for a six-day port visit; Backloaded 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit KFOR elements off Catania, Sicily, from Sept. 16-18.

September 27, The Amphibious Ready Group arrived in Naval Station Rota for a four-day port call to conduct agricultural washdowns.

October 15, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a nearly six-month deployment.

From Dec. 1-3, the Kearsarge conducted ammunition off-load at Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey.

April 25, 2002 USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard for sea trials after three-and-a-half month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

From May 14-17, the amphibious assault ship was underway for LCAC Ops. and well deck certification.

July 2, USS Kearsarge moored at Black Falcon Pier in Boston, Mass., for a six-day port visit to participate in annual Harborfest festivities.

July 19, Capt. Terence E. McKnight relieved Capt. Steven C. Schlientz as CO of the Kearsarge.

September 18, USS Kearsarge departed homeport for a week-long underway demonstration in the Atlantic Ocean.

October 16, The amphibious assault ship pulled into Naval Station Ingleside, Texas, for a three-day port call before participating in Force Training Manual Squadron Exercises (RONEX) in the Gulf of Mexico.

October 26, The Kearsarge anchored off the coast of Panama City, Florida, for a three-day port visit; Returned to Norfolk on Nov. 2; Underway again for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) and Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) Certification from Nov. 13-15.

December 2, The Kearsage departed homeport for a 10-day underway to conduct deck landing qualifications in the Cherry Point Op. Area.

January 11, The ship onloaded 1,100 Marines from the 2nd Marine Exeditionary Brigade (MEB) in Norfolk.

January 12, USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for a surge deployment, as flagship for Amphibious Task Force (ATF) East, to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Global War on Terrorism.

January 13, The Kearsarge anchored in Onslow Bay, N.C., to onload additional troops, 1,980 tons of equipment and 24 aircraft; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Jan. 28; Transited the Suez Canal on Feb. 4.

From Feb. 15-20, USS Kearsarge off-loaded 1,300 Marines and equipment while anchored off Kuwait Naval Base. On Feb. 19, all AV-8Bs were cross-decked to USS Bataan (LHD 5). Following the offload, LHD 3 assumed the role of consolidated Heavy Lift Ship for the Task Force, providing sea basing for 16 CH-53E Super Stallions.

A day after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 20, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464 was called upon to support an emergency re-supply missions. The squadron was tasked with delivering of ammuniton to elements of the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment, which was providing an umbrella of protection for advancing coalition forces. The Kearsarge also served as a primary Casulty Receiving and Treatment Ship (CRTS).

February 22, The Kearsarge moored ar Mina Salman Pier for a two-day visit to Manama, Bahrain.

April 1, USS Kearsarge entered the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) in Manama, Bahrain, for a 10-day maintenance; Conducted backload of the 2nd MEB from May 6-18; Departed Arabian Gulf on May 21.

May 26, A Special Memorial Day Service, was held aboard the Kearsarge, to honor a 23 Marines, assigned to 2nd MEB, who lost their lives during combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From June 2-4, the amphibious assault ship also provided support to the President of the United States during his summits with the Arab leaders in Sharm-el Skeik, Egypt; and Aqaba, Jordan; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on June 6.

June 12, USS Kearsarge begin transit to the coast of Liberia in support of Operation Shinning Express, to provide additional capability in case a large scale Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) became necessary.

June 30, USS Kearsarge returned to Norfolk after six-and-a-half month combat deployment.

From September 23-26, the Kearsarge was underway off the coast of Virginia for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) preparations; Underway again from Oct 2-3.

From November 13-21, the Kearsarge was underway for deck landing qualifications in the Cherry Point Op. Area.

December 5, Capt. Luke R. Parent relieved Capt. Terence E. McKnight as CO of USS Kearsarge.

December 8, LHD 3 departed Norfolk to offload ammuniton at the Naval Weapons Station Earle.

April 28, 2004 USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway for sea trials, completing the three-and-a-half month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY).

June 7, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a surge deployment to transport elements of the 24th MEU Air Combat Element to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

June 23, The amphibious assault ship pulled into Augusta Bay Sicily, for a brief port call to refuel; Transited the Suez Canal on June 27.

July 6, USS Kearsarge anchored off Kuwait Naval Base to offload Marines and equipment; Departed Arabian Gulf on July 9.

July 22, LHD 3 arrived in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a four-day port call; Port visit to Valletta, Malta, from July 29- Aug. 2.

August 14, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a nine-week underway period.

From October 25-27, the ships of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) sailed together for the first time during an at-sea exercise.

From Oct. 28- Nov 1, LHD 3 conducted ammunition onload at the Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey.

November 23, USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group completed PHIBRON-Marine Integrated Training during the seven-day underway. PMINT is the initial training that includes the Marines of the 26th MEU.

From December 7-17, the Kearsarge was conducting landing operations with the MV-22 Osprey aircraft assigned to the "Argonauts" of Marine Tilt Rotor Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22.

January 28, 2005 LHD 3 ESG returned to homeports after successfully completing its Expeditionary Strike Group exercise off the East Coast of the United States.

February 4, Rear Adm. Michael P. Nowakowski relieved Rear Adm. Terrance T. Etnyre as Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (SURFLANT), during a change of command ceremony held aboard the Kearsarge at Naval Station Norfolk.

February 15, LHD 3 is currently conducting Certification Exercise (CERTEX), off the coast of North Carolina, in preparation for it's upcoming deployment. USS Kearsarge ESG successfully completed its final exercise on Feb. 25.

March 25, USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and the 26th MEU got underway for their scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

April 1, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HC-8 was redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron HSC-28 as part of a merger of the HC and helicopter anti-submarine HS communities. The change is a result of the introduction of the MH-60S Knighthawk, replacing the CH-46D Sea Knight, UH-3H Sea King and the SH-60F Seahawk, and the future introduction of the MH-60R Seahawk, which is replacing the SH-60B Seahawk.

April 6, The Kearsarge ESG entered the Mediterranean Sea after transiting Strait of Gibraltar, following a joint exercise with the Moroccan Navy.

April 7, USS Kearsarge pulled into Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a six-day port visit; Transited the Suez Canal on April 22.

April 26, LHD 3 transported members off the 26th MEU, on Djibouti beaches, during an exercise with Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. The ship arrived on station in the Arabian Gulf on May 2.

From May 15-17, the Kearsarge Expeditionary Srike Group offloaded Marines and equipment at the Kuwait Naval Base; Inport Jebel Ali, U.A.E., from June 6-11.

June 24, Capt. Joseph Sensi, Jr., relieved Capt. Luke R. Parent as CO of USS Kearsarge, during a change of command ceremony on board the ship.

The final exercise of the Kearsarge deployment was conducted August 13-25 with Jordan. More than 1,000 Marines of the 26th MEU were put ashore. LHD 3 and LSD 48 entered port in Aqaba that day and remained on station to support the exercise while in port. The ships got underway as a pre-planned security measure when a Jordanian warehouse in the port was struck by a terrorist rocket that killed one Jordanian soldier and injured another.

September 1, Expeditionary Strike Group pulled into Naval Station Souda Bay, Crete, for a routine port call.

September 27, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

December 12, LHD 3 is currently receiving structural and equipment upgrades to become the first amphibious assault ship to accommodate the Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey. The contract is part of an array of maintenance and equipment upgrades being conducted during Kearsarge’s shipyard period at BAE Systems Norfolk, Va., until late February.

March 8, 2006 The amphibious assault ship is currently underway conducting sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean; Underway for routine training on April 2?.

May 24, USS Kearsarge arrived in New York City, N.Y., for a scheduled port visit to participate in Navy Fleet Week.

June 28, The Kearsarge pulled into Boston, Mass., for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 4th of July festival, Boston Harborfest.

August 15, USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in a multi-national exercise PANAMAX 2006. PANAMAX is a joint training exercise lead by the United States and involves personnel, aircraft and ships from Central and South American countries as well as Caribbean nations. It will serve as the command and control platform for the multinational force conducting the exercise.

August 21, The Kearsarge moored at Port of Cristobal in Colon, Panama, to embark more than 270 foreign military officers and four staffs.

From September 1-10, LHD 3 made port visits to Cartagena, Colombia; and Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles; Completed PANAMAX on Aug. 30.

December 2, USS Kearsarge completed an ammunition onload with the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Bataan (LHD 5), while underway off the coast of Virginia. Kearsarge brought on more than 900 pallets of ordnance from Iwo Jima in preparation for the ship’s scheduled deployment next year. The evolution, which was scheduled for three days, was accomplished in two. The Kearsarge then transferred 60 pallets to Bataan to fully stock their ordnance in preparation for their upcoming deployment.

February 16, 2007 Capt. James Gregorski relieved Capt. Joseph Sensi, Jr., as CO of the USS Kearsarge.

March 14, The amphibious assault ship completed a three-day sea trials following major repairs to #2 low pressure turbine and an extensive maintenance availability period.

April 30, USS Kearsarge pulled into Port Everglades, Florida, for a Fleet Week South 2007.

May 15, LHD 3 is currently underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX); Underway for Certification Exercise (CERTEX), off the coast of North Carolina, in mid-June.

July 30, USS Kearsarge ESG departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations and the Global War on Terrorism.

August 19, The Kearsarge departed Valletta, Malta, after a four-day port visit; Inport Souda Bay, Crete, from Aug. 20-21.

August 22, The amphibious assault ship moored at Aksaz Naval Base for a liberty port visit to Marmaris, Turkey.

September 11, The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group recently entered the Arabian Gulf after a brief stop in Djibouti to provide humanitarian supplies to two charities through the Navy's program "Project Handclasp."

November 23, USS Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Bangladesh to assist in relief efforts, after a cyclone Sidr struck the southern coast and killed more than 3,500 people and displaced at least two million others on Nov. 15.

December 3, USS Kearsarge ESG was relieved by USS Tarawa (LHA 1) on station off the coast of Bangladesh. More than 162,000 lbs. of relief supplies have been delivered to Bangladesh by the Kearsarge and the 22nd MEU as of Dec. 2.

January 1, 2008 The Kearsarge transited the Suez Canal after concluded operations in the 5th Fleet AoR.

January 2, LHD 3 arrived in Haifa, Israel, for a scheduled port visit; Inport Rota, Spain, from Jan. 16-20.

February 1, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment.

May 19, USS Kearsarge, USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), USS Monterey (CG 61), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Nitze (DDG 94) departed Norfolk to participate in the 21st Fleet Week New York, which will take place May 21-28.

August 6, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment to the Caribbean and South America in support of Operation Continuing Promise.

September 6, The amphibious assault ship departed for Haiti to assist with relief efforts in areas affected by flooding due to tropical storm activity in the Caribbean. The Kearsarge has been in Santa Marta, Columbia, since Aug. 27, conducting the humanitarian/civic assistance (HCA) mission CP 2008.

September 21, After a two-day stop at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to refuel and obtain supplies, LHD 3 returned to Haiti to continue its humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission. To date, helicopters and landing craft embarked aboard Kearsarge have delivered more than 1,200 metric tons of relief supplies, including 26,000 gallons of water to devastated communities isolated by damaged roads and bridges.

September 26, The Kearsarge departed Haiti after completing a 19-day disaster relief mission in the storm-ravaged Caribbean nation. She will remain in the region through November and will continue her humanitarian assistance mission during scheduled visits to the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

October 18, USS Kearsarge moored at Mega Pier in Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, for a five-day port visit.

October 25, The amphibious assault ship arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for a goodwill port visit.

November 9, USS Kearsarge anchored 17 miles off Guyana’s coast for the final stop in the Caribbean Phase of Continuing Promise '08.

November 22, The Kearsarge departed Georgetown, Guyana, to begin transit back to Norfolk, Va. During the deployment, the CP 2008 medical contingent of more than 150 joint military and international military medical professionals and non-governmental organizations, worked along side host nation officials to treat more than 47,000 primary care patients, dispense more than 81,300 prescriptions, provide veterinary care to nearly 5,600 animals and conduct more than 198,600 medical, dental and optometric services.

December 2, USS Kearsarge returned to homeport after a four-month underway period.

May 16, 2009 The Kearsarge opened her brow to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) workers and their families for a unique tour of the ship while undergoing an 11-month maintenance period. The ship is scheduled to remain in dry-dock throughout the summer, after which it will begin sea trials prior to a 2010 deployment.

September 11, The amphibious assault ship undocked and moored pierside at NNSY.

November 18, NNSY returned USS Kearsarge to the fleet one day early, after completing a 10-month Drydocking Planned Maintenance Availability (DPMA). The project team replaced six sections of shafts, removed the port rudder for bearing repairs and installed two new propellers. Work also included boiler inspections and repairs; valve repairs; the installation of a low pressure turbine rotor, a new boat davit and stern flap; and the replacement of old bunks and lockers. The team also performed underwater hull and freeboard blasting and preservation as well as elevator and stern gate work. In addition, flight deck non-skid, a fuel-oil compensating system, and several electronic and communications components were installed.

January 12, 2010 The Kearsarge recently underway for sea trials off the coast of Virginia; Returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway on Feb. 1 or earlier.

February 26, Capt. Baxter A. Goodly relieved Capt. Walter L. Towns as CO of USS Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Norfolk.

March 23, The amphibious assault ship is currently underway for routine training.

April 20, USS Kearsarge ARG departed Norfolk to participate in a three-week Amphibious Squadron (Phibron)/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 26th MEU, off the coast of North Carolina.

July 7, The Kearsarge ARG underway for a three-week Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and to participate in Operation Auriga, a simultaneous bilateral carrier-integration and amphibious training exercise with British naval and Marine forces. USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), USS Doyle (FFG 39) HMS Ark Royal (R07), HMS Liverpool (D92) and HMS Albion (L14) will also participate.

July 18, An AV-8B Harrier, assigned to "Fighting Griffins" of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 Rein., crashed around 8 p.m., on the Navy’s Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest, near the town of Salt Springs, Fla., during a training mission. Capt. Jarrod L. Klement ejected from the plane and his condition is stable.

August 27, USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) departed Naval Station Norfolk for a surge Middle East deployment. The ARG was originally scheduled to deploy in September but the departure was moved up because of the massive flooding in Pakistan, which so far has claimed 1,600 lives and affected nearly 20 million.

September 13, LHD 3 pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a routine port call; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on Sept. 16.

December 19, USS Kearsarge moored at Container Terminal in Port of Salalah, Oman, for a scheduled port visit.

January 6, 2011 Following a request by the commander of United States Forces Afghanistan, in coordination with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. James N. Mattis, has ordered elements from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. More than 1,000 MEU Marines and sailors are expected to move into Helmand province by the end of January to provide greater security and support the infrastructure development needed in the region.

January 11, The Kearsarge moored at Berth 20, Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, for a brief port call.

February 9, USS Kearsarge ARG recently arrived off the coast of Ismailia, Egypt.

March 1, USS Kearsarge and USS Ponce (LPD 15) were recently ordered to move from the U.S. Central Command region into the Mediterranean Sea to provide the capability for evacuation or humanitarian aid as response to the unrest in Libya. U.S. military officials are closely tracking the events, where armed rebels are clashing with military forces loyal to the Arab nation’s longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

March 4, The Kearsarge, Ponce pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, to onload 400 Marines from 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Marine Division that arrived on Wednesday.

March 20, AV-8B Harriers, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266, launched its first combat sorties in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, which is centered on protecting Libyan citizens from any further harm from Libyan regime.

March 22, An MV-22 Osprey rescued a pilot Maj. Kenneth "Meso" Harney early Tuesday after the F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to 494th Fighter Squadron, crashed 25 miles southwest of Benghazi, around 11.35 p.m. local time, March 21. He was returned to USS Kearsarge in good condition. The weapons officer Capt. Tyler "Mask" Stark was later recovered by Libyan rebel fighters, who took him to a safe house.

April 14, LHD 3 recently pulled into Augusta Bay, Italy, for routine maintenance; Inport Rota, Spain, from April 30- May ?.

May 16, USS Kearsarge ARG returned home after a nearly nine-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

June 20, The amphibious assault ship moored at Leonardo Pier to offload ammunition to Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey; Returned to Norfolk on June 27.

June 30, Capt. Dorian F. Jones relieved Capt. Baxter A. Goodly as the 13th CO of USS Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

July 20, USS Kearsarge entered the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repairs facility for a four-month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA).

November 30, The Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway for sea trials.

January 6, 2012 LHD 3 departed Norfolk to conduct crew certifications in preparation for future amphibious operations.

January 30, USS Kearsarge departed homeport to participate in the largest joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise, in the past ten years, Bold Alligator 2012 between the Marine Corps and Navy amphibious forces.

March 2, The amphibious assault ship underway again for crew certifications and traininig.

March 30, USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk to conduct Afloat Training Group 1.4 basic phase training.

May 16, The Kearsarge is currently underway for Afloat Training Group 2.3 basic phase training. Underway again for ATG 2.3/2.4 basic phase training on June 4.

August 2, USS Kearsarge is currently underway providing surface orientation for Naval ROTC midshipmen to support Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) East.

August 22, LHD 3 entered the Dry Dock #2 at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News shipyard for emergent rudder repairs; Departed dry-dock on December ?.

December 21, Capt. Fredrick J. Nielsen relieved Capt. Dorian F. Jones as CO of the Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Naval Station Norfolk.

January 16, 2013 USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a four-day underway to conduct sea trials and ammo onload with the USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5).

January 22, The Kearsarge ARG departed homeports to conduct Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 26th MEU, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and a Certification Exercise (CERTEX); Onload at Onslow Bay from Jan. 23-25; Returned home on Feb. 18.

March 11, USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment, after a three-day delay due to bad weather.

March 25, The amphibious assault ship pulled into Naval Station Rota for a brief port call; Entered the Mediterranean Sea on March 26.

April 1, USS Kearsarge pulled into Limassol, Cyprus, for a three-day port visit; Transited the Suez Canal on April 5.

May 14, The Kearsarge arrived in Eilat, Israel, for a four-day port visit, the first by an U.S. Navy ship in 14 years.

May 27, USS Kearsarge recently anchored off the coast of Djibouti to offload Marines and equipment at Arta Beach for several weeks of trainings and exercises with the French military. Transited Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound on June 2.

June 6, LHD 3 anchored off the coast of Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for offload to strengthen U.S. precence in the country following evolving military situation in Syria and for participation in annual multinational exercise Eager Lion 2013, from June 9-20; Moored at Aqaba Naval Base from June 6-7; Inport Aqaba again for backload from June 22-23; Anchored off Djibouti for backload on June 27.

July 10, USS Kearsarge, along with USS San Antonio (LPD 17), recently arrived off the coast of Egypt in response to the North African country’s post-coup violence; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound on July 27; Offload in Djibouti on July 31; Backload on Aug. 11.

August 13, Capt. James P. Cody relieved Capt. John B. Skillman as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Kearsarge.

August 28, USS Kearsarge departed Jebel Ali, U.A.E., after an eight-day port call.

September 16, The Kearsarge participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) ships, including HMS Illustrious (R 06), HMS Bulwark (L 15) and HMS Westminster (F 237), in the Gulf of Aden.

October 6, USS Kearsarge arrived again in Eilat, Israel, for a four-day port visit; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on Oct. 12.

October 18, LHD 3 moored at Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a six-day port call to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment.

November 7, USS Kearsarge returned to Norfolk after an extended eight-month deployment.

December 16, The Kearsarge moored at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair facility for a five-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA); Returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 10.

May 16, 2014 Capt. David L. Bossert relieved Capt. Fredrick J. Nielsen as the 15th CO of USS Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

July 11, USS Kearsarge departed homeport for a three-day underway to conduct sea trials in the Virginia Capes Op. Area. Underway for well deck certification from July 28- Aug. 4; Underway for Aviation Certification (AVCERT) from Aug. 12-18; Underway for routine training from Sept. 14-30.

October 29, The Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for a 12-day underway to participate in a largest joint multinational amphibious assault exercise Bold Alligator 2014, in the Virginia Capes, Cherry Point and Jacksonville Op. Areas.

January 13, 2015 LHD 3 recently departed Norfolk for an 11-day underway to conduct Afloat Training Group basic phase training; Underway again from Jan. 28-30.

March 18, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 11 on Naval Station Norfolk after a brief underway off the coast of Virginia; Brief underway on March 24; Underway in support of Combined Joint Operational Access Exercise (CJOAX) 15.1 off Onslow Beach, N.C., from April 10-17; Underway again on April 26.

April 27, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth A2/A4, Pier 3 on Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for a four-day ammo onload.

May 4, The Kearsarge ARG commenced Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) with the 26th MEU; Returned to Norfolk on May 15; Underway for ARG/MEU Exercise (MEUEX) from June 13- July 2; Underway for COMPTUEX from July 16- Aug. 7.

October 6, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment, after a three-day delay due to Hurricane Joaquin; Anchored in Onslow Bay, N.C., for onload from Oct. 7-8.

October 18, The Kearsarge moored at Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a brief stop to refuel; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on late Sunday evening; Transited the Strait of Sicily on Oct. 21.

October 24, USS Kearsarge arrived off the Foca Naval Base, in the Gulf of Izmir, to commence participation in a joint amphibious exercise Egemen 2015, with the Turkish Navy ships; Entered the Ikarian Sea on Oct. 25; Conducted amphibious landing at Doganbey from Oct. 26-27; Departed Aegean Sea on Oct. 29; Transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 1; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Nov. 5; Transited the Strait of Hormuz on Nov. 17.

November 19, AV-8B Harriers, assigned to the "Buldogs" of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 Detachment, conducted their first combat missions in Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

November 24, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 13, Mina Salman Port in Manama for a six-day liberty port visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

November 25, Capt. Lawrence G. Getz relieved Capt. David L. Bossert as CO of the Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

December 6, The Kearsarge conducted deck landing qualifications with two U.S. Army's UH-60 Blackhawk and two AH-64D Apache, assigned to the 1-137th Aviation Regiment, 185th Theater Aviation Brigade, while underway in the North Arabian Gulf (NAG).

December 23, USS Kearsarge moored at Quay 9 in Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a four-day liberty visit to Dubai; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Jan. 7.

January 8, 2016 LHD 3 moored at Berth 2, Port of Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, Oman, for a four-day liberty port visit.

January 20, Two AV-8B Harriers and two MV-22B Ospreys, assigned to "Golden Eagles" of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 Rein., recently landed at Sakhir Airbase to participate in Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2016, from Jan. 21-23.

February 5, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 12, Mina Salman Port in Manama, Bahrain, for an 18-day upkeep.

February 28, The Kearsarge recently anchored off Kuwait Naval Base to backload Marines and equipment following a three-week Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX).

March 8, An AV-8B Harrier, assigned to VMA-223 Det. (Bureau #165003), suffered a Class "A" mishap after experiencing a catastrophic engine failure during takeoff procedure, while the USS Kearsarge was underway in the Arabian Gulf. Firefighters helped the pilot out of the aircraft and extinguished the fire within minutes.

March 13, USS Kearsarge recently departed Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound on March 17; Moored at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for agricultural counter-measure washdowns from March 25-31; Transited the New Suez Canal on April 5.

April 13, The Kearsarge moored at Cruise Quay 2 in Port of Valencia, Spain, for a four-day liberty visit; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on April 18; Inport Rota, Spain, from April 19-20; Conducted ammo offload with the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12) from April 25-27; Anchored in Onslow Bay, N.C., for offload from April 29-30.

May 3, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day Tiger Cruise, following a seven-month deployment.

May 9, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded a $52,5 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-4407) for the Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA) of USS Kearsarge. Work is expected to be completed by February 2017.

June 28, LHD 3 moved "dead-stick" from Naval Station Norfolk to Pier 1 at BAE Systems shipyard for an eight-month availability.

June 30, A female Sailor was critically injured after falling down an elevator shaft aboard the Kearsarge. She was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and is listed in critical condition.

December 12, USS Kearsarge moved "dead-stick" from BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 11 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved to Berth 2, Pier 9 on Jan. 2?, 2017; Underway for sea trials from March 20-24.

April 24, The Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a four-day underway, off the coast of North Carolina, for well deck certification; Underway again from May 1-5 and May 15.

May 15, The Kearsarge anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" for a brief stop; Returned home on May 19; Underway again on May 22.

May 24, USS Kearsarge moored at Manhattan's Pier 88S in New York City, N.Y., for a six-day port visit to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration; Returned home on May 31.

June 9, Capt. David K. Guluzian relieved Capt. Lawrence G. Getz as the 17th CO of Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Pier 10.

June 16, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a four-day underway for routine training; Underway again on June 26; Moored at Berth 3, Pier 10 on June 30.

July 14, Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., relieved Rear Adm. Patrick A. Piercey as Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT) during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Kearsarge.

August 11, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway for routine operations; Underway again from Aug. 21-30.

August 31, USS Kearsarge, with an embarked 690 Marines from the 26th MEU, departed Naval Station Norfolk for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) operations, to the devastated region of Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast, as part of the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts; Embarked five MV-22B Ospreys, assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, on Sept. 1.

September 7, USS Kearsarge, along with the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), recently transited the Yucatan Strait southbound after the Category 5 Hurricane Irma made landfall in the eastern Caribbean on Wednesday; Arrived in the vicinity of U.S. Virgin Islands on Sept. 9.

September 22, The Kearsarge recently arrived off the coast of Puerto Rico to provide humanitarian relief efforts after a Category 4 Hurricane Maria made landfall early Wednesday.

November 6, LHD 3 moored at Berth 6, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk following a two-month HA/DR operations in the Caribbean Sea; Underway for routine training from Nov. 15-21.

March 1, 2018 USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway off the coast of Virginia.

March 9, Rear Adm. John B. Skillman relieved Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Kearsarge.

April 13, USS Kearsarge departed homeport en route to New Orleans, La., to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration; Moored at Julia St. Cruise Terminal in downtown New Orleans from April 19-25.

April 30, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 19/20 in Port Everglades, Fla., for a six-day port visit to participate in the 28th Broward Navy Days Ft. Lauderdale; Moved to Berth 22, Pier 7 for emergent repairs on May 6; Departed Port Everglades on May 9.

May 10, The amphibious assault ship moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for an 11-day port call to conduct repairs; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 10 in Naval Station Norfolk on May 23; Underway again on June 6; Moored at Berth A2/A4, Pier 3 on Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for ammo onload from June 7-13.

June 15, USS Kearsarge arrived in the Cherry Point Op. Area to participate in Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 22nd MEU; Participated in the first East Coast ARG Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise from June 23-27; Returned home on June 28.

August 15, The Kearsarge moored at Berth 4, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway off the coast of Virginia.

September 9, LHD 3 moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after an 18-day underway, for ARG/MEUEX, in the Cherry Point and Jacksonville Op. Areas; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Florence on Sept. 10; Arrived in the Port Everglades Op. Area on Sept. 13.

September 14, USS Kearsarge conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), while underway approximately 60 n.m. southeast of Port Canaveral.

September 15, The Kearsarge arrived off the coast of North Carolina for possible Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) operations, in the wake of Hurricane Florence; Arrived off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., for aerial assessment on Sept. 17; Conducted operations off the coast of Wilmington, N.C., from Sept. 18-20; Anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" for a brief stop on Sept. 21.

September 21, The Kearsarge moored at Berth 3, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk, around 10 p.m. local time; Underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in the Cherry Point and Jacksonville Op. Areas, from Oct. 13- Nov. 2.

November 16, Capt. Jason E. Rimmer relieved Capt. David K. Guluzian as CO of the Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Berth 5, Pier 10.

December 17, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment; Conducted onload off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., from Dec. 18-19.

December 29, The Kearsarge ARG conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Laramie (T-AO 203), while underway off the west coast of Morocco; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound on Dec. 31; Transited the Strait of Sicily on Jan. 4.

January 8, 2019 USS Kearsarge moored at Berth K10, East Refueling Wharf in Souda Bay, Greece, for a two-day port call; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on Jan. 12; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound, escorted by USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), on Jan. 16.

January 20, The Kearsarge conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), while underway in the Gulf of Aden.

January 27, USS Kearsarge launched its first combat sorties in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan, while underway in the North Arabian Sea; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) on Feb. 7; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard on Feb. 12; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Feb. 15.

February 19, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for a nine-day upkeep; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound, escorted by USS Mitscher (DDG 57), on March 2.

March 4, The Kearsarge conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha, while underway in the Gulf of Oman; Moored at Berth 2, Container Terminal in Port of Salalah, Oman, from March 8-9; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) on March 11 and 20th; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on April 3.

April 6, USS Kearsarge commenced offload of Marines and equipment, while anchored off Kuwait Naval Base, for a sustainment training at the Udairi Range complex; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard on April 10.

April 11, LHD 3 moored at Berth 5, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), Bahrain, for a week-long mid-deployment voyage repair availability (VRAV).

April 12, Capt. Joseph R. O’Brien relieved Capt. Daniel S. Blackburn as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Kearsarge.

April 20, USS Kearsarge moored at Quay 9 in Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a three-day liberty visit to Dubai; Conducted backload off Kuwait Naval Base from April 28-29; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard, while underway in the Arabian Gulf, on May 1 and 5th; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound, escorted by USS McFaul (DDG 74), on May 7.

May 13, The Kearsarge conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard, while underway in the North Arabian Sea; Participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG on May 17; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) on May 27; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound on June 8.

June 12, USS Kearsarge moored at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for a nine-day port call to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on June 23; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189), while underway southwest of Crete, on June 25; Transited the Strait of Sicily westbound, just before midnight, on June 26; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on June 29.

June 30, The amphibious assault ship moored at Berth 3, Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a three-day port call; Conducted ammo offload with the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) from July 9-10; Arrived off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., for offload on July 13.

July 18, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment.

September 5, The Kearsarge moved from Pier 10 to Berth 5, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved back to Berth 5, Pier 10 on Sept. 7; Underway off the coast of Virginia from Oct. 14-16.

October 24, The Kearsarge moored at Berth 6, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway off the coast of Virginia; Moved "dead-stick" to NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk on Nov. 18.

January 30, 2020 Capt. Neil A. Koprowski relieved Capt. Jason E. Rimmer as the 19th CO of Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

October 15, USS Kearsarge moved "dead-stick" from NASSCO shipyard to Berth 1, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for sea trials, following a 13-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA), from Dec. 15-16.

March 11, 2021 USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 1, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 10-day underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway for well deck and flight deck certifications on April 7; Anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage A for a brief stop on April 8; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 on April 30; Underway for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment from June 7-8.

June 18, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 1, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Moved to Berth 1, Pier 12 on July 9.

July 15, Joint Force Command (JFC) Norfolk declared full operational capability during a ceremony aboard the Kearsarge.

July 31, Capt. Thomas F. Foster, Jr., relieved Capt. Neil A. Koprowski as CO of the Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship, while underway off the coast of Virginia.

August 20, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 3, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-week underway for deck landing qualifications and in support of Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021, in the Virginia Capes and Cherry Point Op. Areas; Underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, in the Cherry Point Op. Area, on Sept. 20; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 11 on Oct. 1.

October 18, The Kearsarge departed homeport for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 22nd MEU, off the coast of Camp Lejeune; Conducted ammo onload with the USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13), while underway off the coast of South Carolina, on Oct. 26; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 on Oct. 29.

December 19, LHD 3 moored at Berth 5, Pier 14 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 19-day underway for ARG/MEUEX, in the Cherry Point and Charleston Op. Areas; Underway to conduct onload and embark aircraft, assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 Reinforced, from Jan. 14-16; Underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in the Cherry Point, Charleston and Jacksonville Op. Areas, from Jan. 18- Feb. 4.

March 16, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment.

March 21, The Kearsarge made a brief stop off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., to onload Marines and vehicles; Departed Cherry Point Op. Area, along with the USS Arlington (LPD 24), on March 22.

April 4, USS Kearsarge participated in a PHOTOEX with the FS Latouche-Treville (D646), FGS Sachsen (F 219) and ICGV Freyja, at the start of NATO exercise Northern Viking, while underway off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland.

April 11, The Kearsarge moored at Quay 1, Grotsund Terminal in Port of Tromso, Norway, for a four-day visit to offload vehicles and equipment; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), while underway in the Norwegian Sea, on April 25; Moored at Grotsund Terminal again for backload from May 2-8; Transited the Skagerrak Strait eastbound, just before midnight, on May 13; Transited the Great Belt Strait southbound on May 14.

May 16, USS Kearsarge participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Gravely (DDG 107), FNS Halli (899), FNS Hameenmaa (02), FNS Naantali (PTG 73), FNS Tornio (PTG 81) and FNS Purunpaa (MHS 41), while underway off the south coast of Finland; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201), while underway northeast of Gotland Island, on May 19; Conducted offload at Saaremaa Island, Estonia, in support of exercise Hedgehog, on May 20.

May 27, USS Kearsarge moored at Cruise Quay 24, Old City Harbour in Tallinn, Estonia, for a three-day port visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Patuxent, while underway northwest of Saaremaa Island, on May 31.

June 2, USS Kearsarge moored at Buoy 1 and 2, Strommen Anchorage in Stockholm, Sweden, for a three-day port visit before participating in at-sea phase of annual multinational exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS).

June 3, Capt. Aaron R. Kelley relieved Capt. David K. Guluzian  as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Kearsarge.

June 6, USS Kearsarge participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Gunston Hall, USS Porter (DDG 78), HMS Defender (D36), FGS Sachsen (F 219), FGS Braunschweig (F 260), FGS Berlin (A 1411), USNS Patuxent, HNoMS Glimt (P964), HSwMS Nyköping (K34), ORP Torun (825) and 3 other ships, while underway northeast of Gotland Island.

June 20, The Kearsarge transited the Great Belt Strait northbound; Transited the Skagerrak Strait westbound, just after midnight, on June 21; Transited the Dover Strait southbound on June 22; Conducted operations off the west coast of Brittany Peninsula from June 23-29.

June 30, USS Kearsarge moored at Oblique Quay in Arsenal de Brest, France, for an 11-day mid-deployment voyage repair availability (VRAV); Arrived in the Gulf of Cadiz on July 18; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Robert E. Peary on July 19; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), while underway approx. 70 n.m. off the south coast of Portugal, on July 23.

July 30, The amphibious assault ship entered the English Channel on Saturday evening; Transited the Dover Strait northbound, along with the USS Arlington, on July 31; Transited the Skagerrak Strait eastbound, just after midnight, on Aug. 2; Transited the Great Belt Strait southbound on Tuesday afternoon.

August 5, USS Kearsarge moored at Munkkisaari Cruise Quay LHC in Port of Helsinki, Finland, for a three-day visit; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Arlington, USS Gunston Hall and FNS Porvoo (PGG 72), while underway in the northern Baltic Sea, on Aug. 16; Moored at Berth 82-85, Container Terminal in Port of Klaipeda, Lithuania, from Aug. 20-23.

August 30, The Kearsarge ARG participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), HSwMS Helsingborg (K32), HSwMS Harnosand (K33), HSwMS Nykoping (K34), HSwMS Karlstad (K35), HSwMS Carlskrona (P04) and HSwMS Malmo (P12), while underway east of Bornholm Island; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean on Aug. 31; Participated in a PHOTOEX again on Sept. 4.

September 6, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 3, KS Terminal in Port of Riga, Latvia, for a two-day visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean on Sept. 12; Moored at French Quay in Port of Gdynia, Poland, for agricultural counter-measure washdowns from Sept. 14-19.

September 22, USS Kearsarge ARG transited the Great Belt Strait northbound; Transited the Skagerrak Strait westbound, just after midnight, on Sept. 23; Transited the Dover Strait southbound on Sept. 24; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) and USNS William McLean, while underway south of Cornwall, England, on Sept. 25; Arrived in Onslow Bay on Oct. 8; Anchored off Camp Lejeune for a brief stop to conduct offload on Oct. 9 and 10th.

October 13, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

November 17, Capt. Christopher M. Farricker relieved Capt. Thomas F. Foster, Jr., as the 21st CO of Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

December 8, USS Kearsarge moored at Berth 4, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a week-long underway for testing and qualifications with the new Landing Craft, Air Cushions (LCACs) 102 and 104, off the coast of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

December 9, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded a $294,8 million contract for the USS Kearsarge's Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $340,3 million and the work is expected to be completed by November 2024.

January 9, 2023 USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk to offload ammunition; Moored at Berth A2/A4, Pier 3 on Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., from Jan. 10-20; Conducted training in the Virginia Capes and Cherry Point Op. Areas from Jan. 21- Feb. 5; Moored at Berth 4, Pier 14 on Feb. 6; Moved to Berth 3, Pier 10 on Feb. 27; Moved "dead-stick" to Titan Dry Dock in BAE Systems shipyard on April 19.