Operation Golden Dragon was a combined United States-South Korea military naval training exercise in February 1973. The operation was held outside of Yang Po Ri island, South Korea. The exercise was designed to train the South Korea's naval troops and prepare South Korea for any attack from North Korea or Japan.
Naval Ships
USS Blue Ridge III : USS Blue Ridge is the third Blue Ridge-class ship built by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The ship was sponsored by Mrs. Gretchen T.Byrd. Captain Kent J. Carroll was put in command of the Blue Ridge. The ship was at Hong Kong before travelling to South Korea for the operation. After that, it head to Vietnamese water to join in the Vietnam war.
USS Leonard F. Mason : USS Leonard F. Mason is a Gearing-class destroyer built by Fore River Shipbuilding of company Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, Massachusetts. Mrs. Hillery Hillary Mason was the sponsor of the ship. S. D. B. Merril was first put in commanding the destroyer. The destroyer was dry docked at Japan for 2 weeks to be repaired before heading to South Korea to participate in the operation. The ship later was deployed to many other operations over at Japan islands.
USS Tripoli LPH-10: USS Tripoli is the Iwo Jima-class ship build by Ingalls ShipbuildingCorp. Mrs. Jane Cates was the sponsor of the ship. Captain Henry Suerstedt Jr. was the first commander of the USS Tripoli. The ship was operating in the Philippines and Hong Kong before arriving at South Korea to contribute into the operation. Later, USS Tripoli was sent to the South of Vietnam to support the U.S. troops in the Vietnam war.
