Sandy Hook Sailor Returns From Operation Iraqi Freedom

By Cynthia R. Smith, USN

Sandy Hook’s Dustin T. Randall and his fellow sailors on board the amphibious assault ship USS Duluth (LPD 6) recently returned from a Western Pacific deployment where they supported Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

Navy Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Randall, the 23-year-old son of Raymond and Lori Randall of Sandy Hook, is a signalman on board Duluth.

“I work for the amphibious assault beachmaster unit one. I drove the 35-foot vehicle [LARC] for three years in a variety of salvage and training evolutions; now I am in charge of all salvage evolutions. I am also responsible for training others that report to our unit,” said PO2 Randall.

Duluth served as a support platform for the Coast Guard Port Security Units on the Gas/Oil Platforms (GOPLATS) Mabot and Kaaot. GOPLATS are static platforms that are used for gas and oil drilling. They provided radar and boiler technicians and machinist mates to help fix the equipment on the GOPLATS. During the height of OIF, Duluth served as a combat search and rescue platform for US Air Force HH-60G “Pave Hawk” helicopters as well as a refueling for combat helicopters heading into Iraq.

A five-year Navy veteran, PO2 Randall enjoys the opportunity to serve his country at a time when he is needed most.

“It means a lot to me to serve our country. I am proud of who I am and what I’m doing. It’s heroic and noble to serve in the military during the time of war,” he said.

During the deployment, Duluth received the Austin-class Amphibious Transport Dock and Commander, Amphibious Group Three’s medium command Battle Efficiency Award for 2003. A battle efficiency award is given to a command that demonstrates excellent battle efficiency and mission readiness in several core areas including engineering, operations, medical, and supply.