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  The Iowa Set to Pull Out and Head South; A Reenlistment Ceremony for Shaun Sargent Aboard the Iowa
May 5, 2012
 

A last look at the mighty Iowa

Contra Costa Times
Posted:   05/03/2012 03:22:13 PM PDT
Updated:   05/03/2012 05:11:49 PM PDT

 USS Iowa final days
USS Iowa final days
The USS Iowa had its mast re-installed as part of ongoing renovations to the WWII battleship docked at Pier 3 in Richmond, Calif., Tuesday April 24, 2012. The 37,000 lb. mast was taken off 10 years ago to give the mothballed ship a lower profile. It will now stand at 174 feet tall as it is prepared for tow next month to its permanent berth as a museum ship in Los Angeles. On Monday, a ceremony in Washington D.C. will officially transfer the ship out of the Navy's ownership. This weekend will be the last opportunity for the public to visit the ship in Richmond. (Photo by Karl Mondon)
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Visitors got a final close-up look at the World War II battleship USS Iowa on April 29, the final day for public tours before it leaves the Port of Richmond and is towed to its permanent home in Southern California.

The finale included a big band-themed musical tribute with the 31-member Big Band of Rossmoor and the Blue Stars vocal trio.
The historic ship has been docked at 1411 Harbour Way South in the Port of Richmond for refurbishing and can still be viewed from afar there. The ship has been signed over by the U.S. Navy to the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center (www.pacificbattleship.com), which plans to make it a museum at the Port of Los Angeles.
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Back in March, Shaun Sargent, who went through a Sea Scout program in Richmond led by his father Jon Sargent, President of the Northland Nautical Foundation, reenlisted in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Iowa.

The reenlistment ceremony for Shaun Sargent was held March 22 on the Battleship USS IOWA here in Richmond, led by San Francisco Commanding Officer Brown & Master Chief Blackmon. It’s the first time in 22 years the Navy held a reenlistment ceremony on-board the Iowa. You can access a 7 minute video clip here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TgtYxdiRdg

Shaun’s new assignment is to the USS Wayne E. Meyer, DDG-108 stationed in San Diego, CA. Named after the father of AEGIS technology, it’s one of the newest Arleigh Burke class Destroyers; the best hi-tech ships in the fleet. Shaun will be going to both 5-inch schools, check onboard, then ammo administration school, then meet up with the ship during cruise (they're scheduled to leave later this year). He’ll have some of the most critical Navy Education Codes in his rating after finishing up schools, and, with his eyes set for advancing to Chief it's the best platform he could have hoped for. He’s stoked as all the hard work he’s done has really paid off, and he enjoys the ocean adventures.

His previous accomplishments:

  • Served two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf
  • Completed 93 anti-piracy approaches, flag verifications & boardings off the Horn of Africa
  • Member of the Navy’s Visit, Boarding, Search and Seizure Team (VBSS)
  • Recipient of the Navy Commendation medal, and five Navy & Marine Corps Achievement medals, among others
  • Crew-Served weapons instructor
  • Navy Recruiter of the Year 2011; in San Francisco Bay Area recruiting the most nuclear engineers and 65 recruits
  • Recently promoted to Leading Petty Officer First Class
  • From a Richmond Sea Scout to this… what a deal.


Mighty Iowa

Iowa Crew

Happy Crew

On board

 

 

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