Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Larry E. Thompson graduated high
school in 1988 in Colorado Springs, and his fellow shipmates took
part in a community relations project during a port visit to Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, while on a scheduled deployment in support of
the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to the amphibious
assault ship USS Kearsarge homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Marines and Sailors of Thompson’s unit volunteered for the
project at City of Hope, a women’s shelter in Jumeirah. Volunteers
painted hallways and performed general repair work, while some of
the servicemembers played with the children staying at the
home.
USS Kearsarge is conducting maritime security operations (MSO)
in the Persian Gulf. MSO sets the conditions for security and
stability in the maritime environment, as well as complements the
counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO
denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as
a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other
materials.
USS Kearsarge supports amphibious assault operations using
landing craft air cushions, which are specially-designed hovercraft
that travel above land and sea surfaces to deliver vehicles and
equipment. The ship also has conventional landing craft and
helicopters embarked, and is equipped with medical facilities
staffed by Navy doctors, dentists, nurses and corpsmen.
Thompson joined the Navy in February 1989.