USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) with CH-53Ds and CH-46Es visit to the UK 1978

'There when needed' was the motto of the third-built Iwo Jima class assault ship (helicopters), the U.S.S. Guadalcanal (LPH-7).
Stopping over at Southampton docks on the weekend of the 7/8th of October 1978 while positioning to the North Atlantic for their latest deployment.

On Sunday afternoon, they held an open flight deck for aircraft, ship enthusiasts and locals alike.

Travelling home by train from Suffolk, where I had been visiting the R.A.F. bases of Mildenhall and Bentwaters and, of course, losing my car to thieves, hence the train, and as it pulled into Southampton central, I could glimpse the flat top ship and the vast Stars and Stripes flag flowing in the breeze. Leaving the train with a suitcase and camera box, I was straight down to the Dock entrance just as they opened up.

  

A very pleased and happy crew even looked after my suitcase. Imagine that happening today?
154010 HMM-162/YS-02 CH-46E USS Guadalcanal viewable in the hanger 

156963 CH-53D USS Guadalcanal 

155313 HMM-162/YS-1 CH-46E USS Guadalcanal 

160827 HH-1N USS Guadalcanal

156951 HMH-461/CJ-3 CH-53D USS Guadalcanal

154846 HMM-162/YS-6 CH-46E USS Guadalcanal

154003 HMM-162/YS-5 CH-46E USS Guadalcanal 

153965 HMM-162/YS-8 CH-46E USS Guadalcanal

Back in 1971, the U.S.S. Guadalcanal was the first U.S. ship to operate the AV-8A in a training capacity,
Sadly, there were no AV-8As on that Sunday. However, it was a very welcome visit with some very smart helicopters.
As for her fate, she was sunk as a target ship.

As to my fate, I bumped into friends and got a lift home. All in all, an excellent day. 

Happy Days!