‘DEVIL DOG’

Pearl Harbor (July 10, 2006) - The Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169) tows the amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) from the pier out to open waters for an upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. Belleau Wood will become an artificial reef near Hawaii. Eight nations are participating in RIMPAC, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. Conducted in the waters off Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

US Navy photo.

These photos were taken on July 13, 2006, and show the BELLEAU WOOD being sunk by EOD set off bombs. On July 12, 2006, the ship had already taken Harpoon hits and gunfire from the USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) but refused to sink.

Thanks to Mario Silva-Hernandez for contributing the photos.