Operation Sail 2012 Concludes

NEW LONDON, Conn. (NNS) -- Operation Sail (OpSail) 2012 Connecticut, the final port of call for the numerous signature events around the country commemorating the U.S. sea services, OpSail 2012, and the Star-Spangled Banner, concluded July 9.

Dock landing ship, USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), slipped its moorings at New London's State Pier and headed south down the Thames River, leaving tens of thousands of impressed citizens of Connecticut and New England.

Spectators met Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and observed firsthand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.

"OpSail Connecticut provided our Sailors, Marines and units of our Navy's surface fleet like Carter Hall, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy an area of our great nation that loves the Navy and that they may not have otherwise experienced," said Capt. Marc W. Denno, Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) commanding officer and Navy lead for OpSail Connecticut.

The multi-day OpSail Connecticut celebration began July 6, with many of the 24 ships that would be involved in the next day's Parade of Sail up the Thames River to New London, anchoring in Niantic Bay.

As dock landing ships support amphibious operations including landings of U.S. Marines and other forces onto hostile shores, Carter Hall and its crew of more than 500 Marines and Sailors kicked-off OpSail Connecticut with an awe-inspiring demonstration of a Navy amphibious landing craft.

A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) from Carter Hall, made an amphibious landing on Niantic's Hole in the Wall Beach at 4:15 p.m., to thunderous applause from onlookers.

After landing, the LCAC embarked a small number of OpSail officials and Navy guests to include OpSail Connecticut Chairman John Johnson, for a brief ride.

The LCAC then "stormed" the beach, landing and rolling-off a number of U.S. Marine Corps vehicles and personnel including a few high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV) known as Humvees.

"Being on the LCAC as it stormed the beach was awesome," said Jeanette Vatter, wife of SUBASE Command Master Chief Tommy Vatter. "This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Other Carter Hall Sailors and Marines came ashore to the adjacent McCook Park to join a welcome celebration and cook-out for Navy, Coast Guard and OpSail crews coordinated by East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica and many local businesses and restaurants.

"The Niantic affair set the tone for the rest of the weekend. A fabulous event," said Johnson.

The Parade of Sail into New London included nine U.S. Navy and U.S Coast Guard ships, July 7.

Representing the U.S Coast Guard were the 87-foot coastal patrol boats Sailfish and Ridley, buoy tender Juniper (WLB 201), icebreaker Morro Bay (WTGB 106), and Parade of Sail leader, America's tall ship, the Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327). In addition to Carter Hall, four yard patrol craft from the United States Naval Academy represented the Navy.

Visitors had a chance to visit Carter Hall, Eagle, and other OpSail ships when they were open for tours July 7-8. The public was also able to observe a U.S. Coast Guard fly-over with both fixed wing and rotary aircraft during the Parade of Sail on the Thames River July 7; and, a Coast Guard Search and Rescue demonstration with a helicopter just off the Fort Trumbull State Park pier in the Thames River July 8.

"To see a side of the Navy those of us at SUBASE and Naval Submarine School (SUBSCOL) rarely see was really special," said Electronics Technician Seaman Stephen Cordova from the Silver Dolphins. "Being a Silver Dolphin has given me the opportunity to see vessels like the Carter Hall, I can only imagine how exciting an experience it was for members of the public who've only seen such ships and equipment in movies."

Carter Hall hosted a sunset parade and fireworks observation reception July 7 that included performances by Navy Band Northeast and the Naval Submarine School Silver Dolphin Precision Drill Team.

"To be aboard the USS Carter Hall for the reception and fireworks on Saturday night... was a rare opportunity, indeed," said Groton Mayor Marian Galbraith. "The ship was awesome in the true sense of the word. The crew members we met could not have been more gracious."

On Sunday, July 8, A contingent of 60 Carter Hall Sailors ran in New London's Sailfest 5K Road Race, 35 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol Craft participating in OpSail Connecticut participated in a community service project with the New London Homeless Hospitality Center. Midshipmen had also donated dozens of boxes of extra food to the Gemma E. Moran United Way - Labor Food Center upon their arrival to New London.

"The Mids[hipmen] were so incredibly positive and pleased to be supporting the community and making a difference," said Lt. Paul Blodgett SUBASE OpSail planning officer. "And the volunteer coordinators at the Homeless Hospitality Center were astounded that these young people would give up their Sunday liberty so freely to help others."

For all their hard work planning and participating in the three day OpSail Connecticut event, Navy and Coast Guard crews were treated to an OpSail wrap-up cook-out, luncheon, and barbeque at Groton's Shennecossett Yacht Club (SYC).

"Kudos ... for the great barbeque they had at SYC," said former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and OpSail 2012 Connecticut treasurer. "I was there for two hours talking to Coasties and Sailors, and what a treat that was. They were very appreciative of the low key relaxing environment and wonderful hospitality."

For Blodgett, OpSail 2012 Connecticut event went beyond the impact the Navy made during the celebration to the impact that OpSail and New London made on the Navy.

"All the hard work and effort came into sharp focus when I felt rewarded to hear a Carter Hall Sailor tell me, that in his ten years of going to sea with Navy, this was the best and friendliest port visit he experienced," said Blodgett.

OpSail 2012 and its commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 was a salute to all Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, who fought gallantly in that conflict, those who have served in all the nation's conflicts since then, and those who are defending freedom around the world today.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Submarine Base New London, visit www.navy.mil/local/subasenlon/.