About this Unit
USS La Salle (AGF-3) was originally commissioned as an amphibious transport dock (LPD-3) in 1964 before being converted to a command ship in 1972. Serving as the flagship for the United States Sixth Fleet and later the Middle East Force, La Salle played a pivotal role in overseeing naval operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. The ship was notable for being equipped with the "Sea Water Conversion" system, allowing for extended deployments. Throughout her service, USS La Salle participated in numerous exercises, crisis responses, and operations before being decommissioned in 2005.
Historical Facts
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Origin and Namesake: USS La Salle (AGF-3) was originally commissioned as a Raleigh-class amphibious transport dock (LPD-3) in 1964, and later converted into a command ship. She was named after the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle.
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Flagship Role: La Salle served as the flagship for the Commander, Middle East Force (COMIDEASTFOR), and later as the flagship of the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.
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Nickname "The Great White Ghost of the Arabian Coast": The ship was painted all white for most of her career as a command ship, earning her this distinctive nickname from sailors and locals alike.
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Mobile Command Center: As an Auxiliary Command Ship (AGF-3), La Salle was equipped with advanced communications and command systems, allowing her to serve as a floating headquarters and nerve center for U.S. naval operations.
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Operation Praying Mantis: USS La Salle was the command ship for U.S. naval forces during Operation Praying Mantis in 1988, which was the largest U.S. naval surface engagement since World War II, targeting Iranian assets in retaliation for the mining of USS Samuel B. Roberts.
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Persian Gulf Presence: For more than two decades, La Salle maintained a near-continuous presence in the Persian Gulf, serving as a vital command ship for U.S. operations and exercises in the region.
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Support for Evacuations and Crises: La Salle played a key role in the non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) of U.S. citizens and other nationals from Lebanon during periods of instability in the 1980s.
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Innovative Sewage Disposal: The ship was fitted with an experimental "Sea-Shear" sewage disposal system, which was later found to be environmentally problematic and removed.
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Long Service Life: USS La Salle served from 1964 to 2005, marking over 40 years of continuous service before being decommissioned and eventually sunk as a target in 2007.
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Unique Crew Experience: La Salle was known for its multicultural crew environment, as she frequently hosted multi-national staffs and coalition personnel, fostering international cooperation and camaraderie at sea.
