In March 2011 the Indian Government had sought Malta’s assistance for the evacuation of most of the 18,000 Indian workers in Libya. Though some workers were already been evacuated on a ship from Benghazi and taken to Egypt, India wanted to focus its operation through Malta of which the Indian effort was being coordinated by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.
2 Naval Assets were sent into the Mediterranean to evacuate 150 Indian Nationals from Tripoli, Libya, the landing ship INS JALASHWA L 41 and the destroyer INS MYSORE D 60 during Operation Safe Homecoming. In fact on Friday 11th March, 2011 both ships entered for the first time at Grand Harbour, Malta – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Naval-ships-to-bail-out-Indians-stranded-in-Libya/articleshow/7583375.cms?referral=PM
First to enter was the Delhi Class Guided Missile Destroyer INS MYSORE D 60 carrying 2 helicopters with a platoon of Marine special forces at 0933 hrs.
She was berthed starboard side alongside at Pinto 1 Wharf with bow overhanging.
On Saturday 12th March Malta Ship Photos was invited aboard for a presentation followed by a ship tour.
Her full air wing support was in both hangars – IN 448 SA316B Alouette III Helicopter ( HAL Chetak which is an Indian copy built by Hindustan Aeronautical Industries)
Also a Westland Sea King Mk42 Helicopter – IN 560
Following her was the amphibious transport dock INS JALASHWA L 41 which means Hippopotamus at 1020 hrs carrying 3 helicopters assisted by 3 tugs namely FELICA; LIENI and WENZINA.
Formerly USS TRENTON LPD 14 along with six Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters were procured from the United States by India for a total of US$90 million in 2005. She was commissioned on 22nd June 2007.
Here at Norfolk as USS TRENTON LPD 14 back to 26th August, 2004.
She is based in Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.
She had 3 x UH-3H SeaKings Helicopters embarked – IN 535 –
IN 537 –
IN 538 –
In her well deck she was completed with 4 x LCM-8 – 411
412 –
413 –
414 –
And the 415 + 416 were 2 x LCPL Mk 11 (former US Navy 36 PL 8352 and 36 PL 8351)
She was berthed port side alongside at Pinto 2 Wharf.
On Saturday 12th March Malta Ship Photos was invited aboard for a presentation followed by a ship tour.
Both ships left Grand Harbour after 2000 hrs on Saturday 12th March, 2011 bound to home via Suez Canal.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Tuesday 19th May, 2020
