The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) completed an ammunition offload, while moored pier side at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, March 22.

Sailors attached to San Diego and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach personnel offloaded more than 400 pallets of ammunition and ordnance during the intensive four-day evolution in preparation for San Diego's upcoming maintenance availability period.

"Offloading San Diego's ammunition was imperative in preparation for entering a maintenance phase," said Lt. Emrys Darrel, San Diego's combat systems officer. "The different types and quantities of ammunition San Diego carried aboard was mission dependent."

San Diego crew offloaded a variety of ordnance to include projectiles, missiles, and small arms ammunition.

"The hard work from team San Diego made this evolution a great success," said Ensign Mikaela Carlson, San Diego's ordnance officer. "During the long days and short deadline, the team remained positive and upbeat by keeping comradery high and also looking out for one another."

The top priory during the offloaded was safety of the crew, the contractors, and the integrity of the ship while maneuvering the live ordinance from the magazines, through the ship, and to the pier safely.

Damage Controlman 1st Class Damar Barlow, fire marshal for the evolution, echoed Carlson's team mentality.

"An evolution of this magnitude required the whole ship to work together as one cohesive unit to ensure a smooth and safe evolution," added Barlow.

After safely completing the offload, San Diego returned to its homeport, Naval Base San Diego, to continue preparations for its upcoming selective restricted availability and maintenance phase.

San Diego recently returned home after completing a successful seven-month deployment conducting operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean, Horn of Africa, and Middle East.


For more news from USS San Diego (LPD 22), visit www.navy.mil/.