USS Pearl Harbor visits
Last week the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station hosted USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) at the base wharf. The Pearl Harbor is referred to in Navy circles as a dock landing ship, which is a type of amphibious assault vessel.
Amphibious ships have two primary missions in today’s Navy.
They are used to transport Marines to hostile shores, and are also often used to support disaster relief operations around the world. They carry a number of hovercraft and can also support helicopters.
The ship most recently returned to her homeport in San Diego after a seven-month deployment that included duty in the Persian Gulf and visits to countries including Cambodia, the Philippines and Bahrain. More information on USS Pearl Harbor can be found on the ship’s web site at http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lsd52/.
Surfin’ Ensign
Congratulations have been forthcoming to the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station’s MWR marketing manager and Navy Reserve Ensign Angelita Noche for taking second in the Women’s Division of the 2012 Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu Surf Contest. She finished second, with Demi Boelsterli in first and Kloee Openshaw in third. The women surf in one combined division that includes professional, amateur, junior and military women.
Noche is the first military woman to make the finals of this event. The surfing beach at Point Mugu is considered to be one of the best in Southern California because it faces south and has a submarine canyon and sandbars that give it a unique, big wave. The fact that it is open to the public for only two days a year makes this contest popular.
Sounding off
The new Barber Shop in the Convenience store is too small. It should be expanded. The convenience store can spare the space. There is insufficient room for waiting and for the barber to move around the chair while cutting hair.
Please reconsider the design of this space. I am retired and have been driving 20 miles to get my haircut from an excellent barber, but may have to look elsewhere. I understand the need to move from the previous facility, but the design of the space needs to be improved.
—Stephen Gray Major USAF Ret.
