USS Kwajalein_(CVE-98)
USS Kwajalein (CVE-98), formerly Bucareli Bay, was a Casablanca class escort carrier of the United States Navy.
It was launched on 4 May 1944, by the Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver, Washington, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. Rudolf L. Johnson; acquired by the Navy on 7 June 1944, and commissioned the same day, Commander R. C. Warrack in command.
Service history
After shakedown along the West Coast, Kwajalein cleared San Pedro, California on 19 July 1944, bound for Espiritu Santo with passengers and a cargo of fuel and planes. Arriving on 3 August, she sailed 4 days later to transport aircraft to Guam and pick up salvaged Japanese equipment for intelligence studies in the United States.
Following repairs at San Diego, Kwajalein got underway on 7 October for operations as replenishment carrier. She loaded combat-ready aircraft at Manus Island and sailed for Eniwetok on 5 November to replenish the carriers of Task Force 38 (TF 38) as they prepared for raids on Manila and the Visayas. Continuing operations from Ulithi, Kwajalein furnished the big carriers with the planes needed to drive the Japanese out of the Philippines. In January 1945, replacement aircraft flew from her decks to TF 38 flat tops for strikes on enemy air bases on Formosa and the China coast. Kwajalein returned to San Diego on 23 February for overhaul and additional aircraft before resuming operations on 9 March.
From March–August Kwajalein carried aircraft on three cruises from Pearl Harbor to the western Pacific, keeping carrier-based air groups at full strength for the massive carrier raids on the Japanese home islands. With the cessation of hostilities on 14 August 1945, the carrier was assigned the task of returning Pacific veterans to the United States. She made four cruises to the Pacific Islands before arriving at San Pedro on 2 February 1946, from her final Operation Magic Carpet mission. On 23 April, Kwajalein cleared San Pablo Bay for Mukilteo, Wash., arriving there 3 days later. She decommissioned at Tacoma, Washington on 16 August, and joined the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 April 1960, and she was scrapped in Japan the following year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Kwajalein
USS EDISTO, LYTTLETON, New Zealand 1957
USS Edisto (AGB-2) was a Wind-class icebreaker in the service of the United States Navy and was later transferred to the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Edisto (WAGB-284). She was named after Edisto Island, South Carolina. The island is named after the Native American Edisto Band who inhabited the island and the surrounding area. As of 2011 there is a namesake cutter USCGC Edisto (WPB-1313). The newer Edisto is a 110-foot Island-class patrol boat and is stationed in San Diego County, California.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Edisto_(WAGB-284)
HMS Diamond and US warships repel largest Houthi attack to date in Red Sea
James Knuckey
10th January 2024 at 9:22am
HMS Diamond, along with US warships, has repelled the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date, the Defence Secretary has announced.
Grant Shapps said the Type 45 destroyer shot down seven attack drones using her Sea Viper missiles and guns.
No injuries or damage was sustained to Diamond or her crew – the ship is in the region as part of an international coalition to protect shipping.
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In a statement shared on X, Mr Shapps said: “Overnight, HMS Diamond, along with US warships, successfully repelled the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.
“Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her and commercial shipping in the area, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew.
“The UK alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences.
“We will take the action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”
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HMS DIAMOND, along with US warships, has repelled the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.
Destroying multiple attack drones with her guns and sea viper missiles. pic.twitter.com/kFjFKj6TM6— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) January 10, 2024
The US Central Command said 18 one-way attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by F/A-18 fighter jets from aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower, destroyers USS Gravely, USS Laboon and USS Mason, plus HMS Diamond.
Central Command said it was a “complex attack” launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.
The command reported no injuries or damage and said this is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since 19 November.
Watch: Sea Viper explained
//players.brightcove.net/2685123856001/Hy7Zehglog_default/index.html?videoId=6343610974112
The incident is the second time HMS Diamond has repelled attacks since being deployed to the Red Sea.
In December, Diamond used her Sea Viper missile system to shoot down a suspected attack drone believed to be targeting merchant shipping.
It was the first time since the Gulf War in 1991 that the Royal Navy had engaged and destroyed a hostile aerial target.
Overnight @HMSDiamond alongside US vessels repelled the largest and most complex attack by Houthis in the Red Sea to date.
Nearly 15% of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea.
Attacks to commercial shipping jeopardise the movement of goods worldwide. pic.twitter.com/ihOoyK7Hje— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 10, 2024
Overnight, the largest Houthi attack to date in the Red Sea was successfully repelled by @hmsdiamond and US warships.
Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, HMS Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her & commercial shipping in the area.@DefenceHQ@RoyalNavypic.twitter.com/NWgvYyNgC8— Defence Operations 🇬🇧 (@DefenceOps) January 10, 2024
It comes as Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond has been sent to the Middle East, which, the Defence Secretary insisted, does not represent an escalation in tension in the region.
Grant Shapps told the Commons the vessel was travelling to the Gulf where she would then allow the Royal Navy to swap places with HMS Diamond or HMS Lancaster.
