2000s
In May 2005, the Austin set sail from Naval Base Norfolk, Virginia. to Port-au-Prince, Haiti in order to pick up National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers troops who were responsible for providing humanitarian aid and completing numerous public works projects in and around the city of Port-au-Prince. After roughly a week anchored off the coast of Haiti, the Austin set sail for Guantanamo Bay (GITMO), Cuba. Upon arrival, the National Guardsmen and Army Corps of Engineers debarked the ship, and the Austin took on stores and fuel. Though GITMO was a working port for the crew of Austin, sailors onboard were granted afternoon and evening liberty on Naval Base GITMO. A major highlight for the crew was when Toby Keith performed a USO show on the flight deck of the Austin. After about a week at Guantanamo Bay, the Austin set sail for St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where they enjoyed four days of liberty. After nearly a month away from her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, the Austin and her crew returned home just before Memorial Day weekend.
In 2002– 2003 the Austin deployed for the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Austin's final deployment was from November 2005 – May 2006. The Austin and her crew transported Marines to the Persian Gulf and supported their mission ashore during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Read more about this topic: USS Austin (LPD-4)