Wasp, Essex, Kearsarge, Boxer, Bataan, Bonhomme Richard, Iwo Jima, Makin Island LHD-1 to 8, 1989-2009, in service. We continue our exploration of US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD for Landing, Helicopter, Dock) with the last class of the cold war (Only one was operational before the fall of USSR) and essentially a follow-up of the … Read more
USS Tarawa, Saipan, Bellau Woods, Nassau, Peleliu built 1971-80, decom. 2009-2015 The Tarawa class were the first modern Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) class. Succeeding to the 1960s Iwa Jima class helicopter only assault ships, they added a well deck to the hull, which was far larger, giving the United States Navy a brand new amphibious … Read more
Amphibious Assault Ship LPH-2 to LPH-12 1961-2002: USS Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Guadalcanal, Guam, Tripoli, New Orleans, Inchon. New lineage: US Cold War Amphibious Capital Ships. The USMC alongside the USN had its own “aircraft carriers”. They were anything but. Instead they were dedicated, large amphibious assault ships that happened to have an helicopter, and later … Read more
