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March-December 1974 - Suez Canal


USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored to the main passenger pier in Alexandria, Egypt. Inchon visited the city following her participation in Operation Nimbus Star. Photographed by PH1 John Myer. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored to the main passenger pier in Alexandria, Egypt. Inchon visited the city following her participation in Operation Nimbus Star. Photographed by PH1 John Myer. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

On March 18, 1974, as part of the cease fire between Egypt and Israel after the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Task Force 65 was sent to sweep mines from the northern part of the Suez Canal as part of Operation Nimble Star.  The operation concluded in December.   


USS Barnstable Country (LST-1197) moored at Port Said, prior to her trip down the Suez Canal in late June. The first U.S. ship to enter the canal since 1967, the LST served as the flagship for CTF-65 while at anchor on Lake Timsah near Ismailia. ...
Caption: USS Barnstable Country (LST-1197) moored at Port Said, prior to her trip down the Suez Canal in late June. The first U.S. ship to enter the canal since 1967, the LST served as the flagship for CTF-65 while at anchor on Lake Timsah near Ismailia. Photographed by PH2 Robert Edmonson. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

Explosion set off by Royal Navy divers on eastern side of the canal. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: Explosion set off by Royal Navy divers on eastern side of the canal. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

The land ordnance removal as called Operation Nimbus Moon - Land.   The underwater removal was called Operation Nimbus Moon - Water.   The salvage operation was Nimbus Spar.   


Showing the main hazard of flying helicopters in a desert environment, one of the CH-46’s from HC06, Det 9, lands beside the canal during a medevac call. Photographed by PH1 Joe Leo. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: Showing the main hazard of flying helicopters in a desert environment, one of the CH-46’s from HC06, Det 9, lands beside the canal during a medevac call. Photographed by PH1 Joe Leo. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

Navy Heavy Lift Craft (YHLC’s) Crilley (left) and Crandall at work on the wreck of the Egyptian Dredge #23 at the kilometer 72 mark on the Suez Canal. Photographed by PH3 Dwain Patton, USN. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: Navy Heavy Lift Craft (YHLC’s) Crilley (left) and Crandall at work on the wreck of the Egyptian Dredge #23 at the kilometer 72 mark on the Suez Canal. Photographed by PH3 Dwain Patton, USN. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

Egyptian Army armored personnel carrier, which sank during the crossing of the Suez Canal in October 1973. APC was one of over 700 non-ordnance items discovered during search operations in the canal. Photographed by PH1 Joe Leo, USN. NHHC Photogr...
Caption: Egyptian Army armored personnel carrier, which sank during the crossing of the Suez Canal in October 1973. APC was one of over 700 non-ordnance items discovered during search operations in the canal. Photographed by PH1 Joe Leo, USN. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

Ordnance discovered in shallow waters of canal is detonated by French Navy diver. In the background is French Navy minesweeper serving as support ship. Photographed by LCDR C.C. Bottinni, French Navy. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: Ordnance discovered in shallow waters of canal is detonated by French Navy diver. In the background is French Navy minesweeper serving as support ship. Photographed by LCDR C.C. Bottinni, French Navy. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

Royal Navy EOD divers from the Fleet Clearance Diving Team remove ordnance discovered in the shallow areas of the Suez Canal. Royal Navy Photograph. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: Royal Navy EOD divers from the Fleet Clearance Diving Team remove ordnance discovered in the shallow areas of the Suez Canal. Royal Navy Photograph. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

French Divers conducting shallow water search of canal. Watching from the embankment are Egyptian Soldiers. Photographed by LCDR C.C. Bottinni, French Navy. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.
Caption: French Divers conducting shallow water search of canal. Watching from the embankment are Egyptian Soldiers. Photographed by LCDR C.C. Bottinni, French Navy. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files.

The Task Force was initially commanded by Rear Admiral Brian McCauley and later by Rear Admiral Kent Carroll. 

Published: Tue Apr 28 08:02:36 EDT 2020