Asia Pacific Defense Forum ::

Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff from press releases by SN Tyler Jones, USN, who is assigned to Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.

Nearly 300 Indian sailors joined the crew of the amphibious transport ship USS Trenton (LPD 14) in November 2006 in Norfolk, Virginia, to prepare for the ship’s transfer to the Indian Navy in January 2007. Throughout December 2006, the Trenton’s crew conducted shipboard training with the Indian Navy. “Our goal was to find out ... how they operate; take that and build on it,” said U.S. Navy CPO Jason Stanley.

The training included classroom instruction, shipboard training in port, and underway training that emphasized safety. “Safety is always number one,” said CPO Stanley, “We’re trying to make sure [the Indian sailors] feel safe with our equipment, know where everything is, and how it works.”

The entire Trenton crew – from engineers to deck seamen; operations specialist to ship’s servicemen – played a part in explaining all the elements to successfully operate the ship. These elements included navigation, helicopter flight operations, amphibious landing of small craft, underway replenishment, and emergency responses to fire fighting, damage control, and recovery of small craft. “[Training the Indian sailors also] helps with our professional development,” said Cmdr. Samuel Norton, commanding officer of the USS Trenton. “Practicing for success with an ally fosters confidence.”

The Indian Navy purchased the USS Trenton along with four Mark Eight landing craft and six H-3 Sea King helicopters. As reported in an Indian Ministry of Defense press release, Indian Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, commenting on the purchase of the USS Trenton in a written statement to a member of the Indian Parliament, said, “The ship would provide the Indian Navy enhanced amphibious capability. In addition, the LPD can be deployed for disaster-relief operations. It can also function as a command and control platform during mishaps at sea like offshore oil installation fires and maritime air accidents.”

Following decommissioning, Trenton was recommissioned and transferred to the Indian Navy, bearing the name INS Jalashwa in a January 2007 ceremony. The event marked the first time a U.S. Navy vessel has been transferred to the Indian Navy. “Trenton will continue to serve all the free nations of the world, just as she served the United States,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Garry Hall, Commander, Amphibious Group Two.

The commanding officer of Jalashwa, Indian Navy Capt. B.S. Ahluwalia, expressed his gratitude to the crew of Trenton and added, “Today’s transfer is a significant event in the growing relationship between our two countries and our two navies.”

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Nearly 300 Indian sailors joined the crew of the amphibious transport ship USS Trenton (LPD 14) in November 2006 in Norfolk, Virginia, to prepare for the ship’s transfer to the Indian Navy in January 2007. Here, Indian sailors lay out lines on the flight deck of the Trenton.
Photo by Capt. Fritz Craft, USPHS

USS Trenton prepares to moor at Naval Station Norfolk in 2006 after assisting over 3,500 American citizens evacuate the then war-torn country of Lebanon. This was one of the last deployments for the ship before transfer to the Indian Navy.
Photo by PO2 Joshua Glassburn, USN

Indian sailors conduct a firefighting training exercise on the Trenton’s flight deck as a U.S. sailor watches.
Photo by PO3 Emily A. Zamora, USN

An Indian sailor assists in rigging a line to a kingpost during training exercises on the flight deck.
Photo by PO3 Emily A. Zamora, USN

An Indian Navy officer instructs his junior sailors on how to properly rig a kingpost.
Photo by PO3 Emily A. Zamora, USN