USS Guam sails for Liberia to evacuate U.S. citizens under Operation Assured Response.
President Clinton has ordered the amphibious assault ship USS Guam (LPH 9), shown in this file photo, to steam towards the coast of Liberia to assist in the evacuation of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals known as Operation Assured Response. Joining the Guam will be the amphibious transport dock ship USS Trenton (LPD 14) and the dock landing ship USS Portland (LSD 37). All three ships are designed to support amphibious operations via helicopters or landing craft. The Guam carries a complement of U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters.