The current Kearsarge is the Wasp class amphibious assault ship, LHD-3. She is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
8 June 1995 Marines from Kearsarge flew into Bosnia and rescued Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady, after his F-16 was shot down by a Serb SA-6 surface-to-air missile.
May 1997 Kearsarge evacuated over 200 Americans from Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone in West Africa, where rebels overthrew the elected president.
August 1999 Kearsarge cut short an inport period in Palma de Mallorca, Spain and steamed to the waters off Izmitl, Turkey. The region had been hit by a massive earthquake, and the ship provided medical and humanitarian aid to the victims of the disaster.
Kearsarge and the Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked on her had been participating in NATO operations in Kosovo. As part of her role, A8 Harrier jets from the 26th MEU conducted air strikes in Kosovo, and Yogoslavia. The Kosovar refugees were also provided logistical and medical support. The 26th MEU was the first U.S. peacekeeping force in the province.
LHD-3 has recently left for the Mediteranean area. She will be relieving U.S.S. Nassau in Rota, Spain. Her plans from there are unclear, but she is ready to respond wherever and whenever needed.
Kearsarge returned home in October 2001. Her cruise is completed, but her job is not. She will be made ready for her next mission and redployed as needs arise. She and her crew will undoubtedly be taking part in the war on terrorism.
The remainder of 2001, and the year 2002 saw LHD-3 undergo a yard peroid and training for her next cruise. During this time, the war on terrorism continued, and tensions with Saddam Hussien and Iraq continue.
Sunday, 12 January 2003 saw Kearsarge depart Norfolk as part of a military build-up of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. While her mission is clear, the length of her deployment is not. The ship, and her crew are well trained to meet whatever tasks she is to ordered to perform. I wish them a safe and speedy return.
Since deploying, the time has been spent training, and getting used to life aboard a ship at sea. This is especially true for the Marines who have never been to sea before. Small Pox vaccinations are being given as a precaution to both Naval and Marine personnel.
Kearsarge, is the flagship of Amphibious Task Force East (ATF-E). The ships are transporting the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to the Persian Gulf Area.
15 February 2003..."ATF East has arrived and I know we're ready. Land the Landing Force". With those words Rear Admiral Mike Nowakowski ordered the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force to go ashore in Kuwait.
19 March 2003 The War with Iraq began. The deck of Kearsarge is playing a vital role in resupplying the troops as they advance toward Baghdad. Training continues, and an expanded medical department is ready to do it's part if it becomes necessary. Sandstorms hamper the operation of the Marines ashore, and also cover the flight deck with sand.
26 May 2003 Kearsarge held Memorial Day Cerimonies to honor the 23 Marines of the Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade that paid the ultimate price in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
3 and 4 Jun 2003 Found Kearsarge delaying her return home to support President George W. Bush while he engaged in historic summit talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan.
12 Jun 2003 Kearsarge has been deverted and is stationed off Liberia to partake in a possible evecuation of U.S. citizens from the capital.
30 Jun 2003 Kearsarge has returned to Norfolk ending a cruise that has distanced over 33,000 miles. Welcome home.
18 Sep 2003 Kearsarge rode out Hurricane Isabel moored to a pier at Naval Station Norfolk.
5 Dec 2003 Captain Luke R. Parent assumed command from Captain Terence E. McKnight.
Jan to Apr 2004 Kearsarge is undergoing a Planned Maintenance Availability in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
7 Jun 2004 Kearsarge departed Norfolk to begin her next deployment.
7 to 8 Jul 2004 Elements of the 24th MEU which were transported by Kearsarge were sent ashore to the Kuwait Naval Base.
22 to 26 Jul 2004 Kearsarge made its first port of call visit on this deployment in Souda Bay Crete, Greece.
29 Jul to 2 Aug 2004 Kearsarge spent its second port visit in Valetta, Malta. During this visit, on 30 July, two corpsmen on liberty in the town of St. Julians saved the life of a young local woman who collapsed, was not breathing and had no pulse.
14 August 2004 Kearsarge arrived in Norfolk ending this deployment.
25 March 2005 Kearsarge departed Norfolk to begin her scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism as she steamed to the coast of North Carolina to embark the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.27 March 2005 The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) completed the embarkation of the 26th MEU and set a course East to cross the Atlantic.
7 April 2005 The Kearsarge ESG completed a joint operation with two Moroccan frigates as it steamed through the Strait Of Gibralter.
7 to 13 April 2005 The Kearsarge crew enjoyed an inport period in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
2 May 2005 Kearsarge arrived on station in the Persian Gulf.
19 Aug 2005 While moored to a pier with U.S.S. Ashland in Aquaba, Jordan, Kearsarge defended herself from a terrorist attack. No U.S. personel were injured, and niether ship suffered any damage.
15 Dec 2005 Kearsarge was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon for her successful defense of the terrorist attack on 19 August.
