Iwo Jima class (1960)

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 aircraft complement with full support. This is still ongoing with the America class LHDs (2012). At 44,971 long tons (45,693 t) full load they even beat WW2 Essex class carriers that won the Pacific war by a long shot. But before ending there, there was a two-prone precedent:

1-Converting ww2 fast carriers of the Independence type, some Essex, and 2-designing a fully dedicated ship: The Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ships (Landing, Platform, Helicopter or LPH) of the United States Navy were the first dedicated type, laid down in 1959, but the concept went back as soon as helicopters proved their utility in Korea and became mainstream. These ships with a full deck and hangar were capable of operating up to 20 helicopters and house 1,800 Marines that could be brought ashore in no time, in coordination with a seaside landing or as standalone. The were named for battles featuring the United States Marine Corps and the first was commissioned in 1961, just in time for the Cuban missile crisis. As floating heliports they proved their versatility in manyh mission during and after the cold war, as the last was decommissioned in 2002.

Development of the Iwo Jima class (1952-59)

Prelude: Lessons of Korea

The existence of this class was entirely dependent on a brand new asset that was still semi-embryonic in WW2 but gained its reputation in the Korean war. The trailblazer in tat regard was the Sikorsky R.4. This slab-sided machine powered by a 3-bladed prop driven by a Warner R-550-1 7-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine first flew in 1942, was in service in 1943 and saw action imediately with the USAAF, and later the US Coast Guard and USN. Performances were not even that abysmal at 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn) with a range of 130 nautical miles. It could be equipped with floats and take off from water if needed. 131 were made until 1945, also flying for the FAA and RAF well until the 1950s as well as in Korea. This VTOL capability opened brand new alleys for all three branches, and that included the USMC for all its experience in the Pacific, never used this model as a troop carrier.

Then in 1950 North Korea invaded the south and, US, UN support led to a three year war. In this muntaineous terrain, airfields were rare. The helicopter was no longer a concept, with many brands rivalling on that new market, and users in all three branches. In between, Sikorky proposed its advanced H.5, which was already tested back in 1944 and wa sordered en masse in 1945, followed by many more. Immensely more powerful and faster, this model became soon a symbol of the Korean War, so did the Bell H-13 Sioux and its famous bubble canopy (of MASH fame) and the “troop taxi” that was the Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw. Helicopters, even at that stage lacking in numbers performed Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), Rescue operations, Artillery spotting, Command and liaison as well as
Limited troop and supply transport. Already demands for large models that could carry a jeep and (or lift) light artillery led to further development and more manufacturers joined the fray.

VMO-6 In 1953 the USMC took the lessons of the war. The United States Marine Corps provided the 1st Marine Division (core ground combat force) in the field ads well as the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) for close air support and logistics and were later reinforced by Marine reservists. They won the Inchon Landing (Operation Chromite) in September 1950 that turned the tables, but also took part in the Battle of Seoul in September, showing its skills even in such an intense urban combat, with frequent, post-base on-call resupply by helicopter sometimes on rooftops, parks and lanes, and the bloody Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Nov–Dec. 1950, outnumbered c8–10 to 1 by Chinese forces and fighting in freezing conditions where helicopters could no help. They took part in defensive battles along the 38th Parallel and held key terrain during armistice negotiations. Apart close air support (CAS) vital at Chosin and Inchon, they needed other branches helicopters in many occasions something that urged the adoption of these for its own use on one side, rather than borrowing those from the Army, Air Force or Navy.

The USMC Aviation (created in 1912) however already had its first operational unit in December 1947 thanks to the work of the Hogaboom Board. HMX-1 was the the first Marine helicopter squadron and its first forward combat unit, VMO-6 flying its HO3S1 helicopters (Sikorky H5) in August 1950 during the Battle of Pusan. In January 1951 HMR-161 was created as the world’s first helicopter transport squadron. Already large Navy legacy LSTs had sometimes ad-hoc decks installed for helicopters and operated in 1951 alongside converted vessels: The USN operated six ships, flying the Sikorsky HO3S with the UN Task Group, USS Coral Sea, St. Paul, LST 799, and the Japanese LST Q-007. None were ideal to deploy these helicopters, that needed specific support.

Towards a Dedicated Ship (1956-57)

USS Princeton (LPH-5) underway.

Post 1953, it was clear the USMC needed not only more helicopters, larger, faster, and for more missions, but also ships to carry them as the fleet was increasing, provided the Navy would accept it. This was indeed a platform that would be solely intended for USMC amphibious heliborne projection, taking some USN resources out of an already well filled plan for ASW escorts, in a budget-restricted environment. The Korean war lifted some limitations and helped accepting the idea. In addition converting existing WW2 carriers was prsented to Congress as a cost-saving measures as well as the fact that an helicopter carrier could also perform ASW missions for the fleet. First tests with depth charges by Sikorky were made in WW2. The very concept of a potential use of the helicopter for anti-submarine warfare was pointed out to the Navy already in 1938… It was the coast guard use the HNS-1 helicopter with a 325-pound depth charge, and radio that really unlock that possibility, provided for those future applications. They were soon to be armed wkth the MK IX 200 Ib fast-sinking-type depth charge. So a carrier with minimal change could perform both missions, amphibious or ASW.

Still so far only CGC Governor Cobb was the first dedicated helcopter carrier in 1943. Also in 1944, the first “dipping sonar” tests were done, using the same model as blimps. Buget was lacking so these pioneering tests from the Coast Guard were discontinued after 1945. The Korean war revealed how much the Helicopter came of age and unlocked R&D again. There were many tests and regular carriers sporting helicopters, but this remained marginal. SCB 159 was the program that relaunched those prospects for the USN.

On 22 December 1957 indeed, a single Commencement Bay class carrier, US Block island (CVE-106) was planned to be converted under project SCB 159 and was the first redesignated as an “amphibious assault ship” first in line and pennant LPH-1, in anticipation of conversion but this was cancelled. Others followed, but the second entry was already taken by a dedicated vessel, which became the Iow Jima class.

Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw of the Marines in 1961.

USS Boxer, a straight deck Essex-class aircraft carrier was also converted as early as 1956 already as ASW helicopter carrier as CVS-21 and from 1957 as LPH-4.
USS Princeton was another converted Essex-class, was converted as ASW carrier in 1954 (CVS-37) and on 2 March 1959, she became LPH-5.
USS Thetis Bay was the sole Casablanca-class escort carrier so converted. She was more economical to operate, but of reduced size and speed. In 1955 she was converted under SCB 122, as the Navy’s first assault helicopter aircraft carrier, CVHA-1. Then in 1959, reclassified as LPH-6, taking part in the Cuban Missile crisis.
USS Valley Forge was the fourth and last LPH converted from an Essex class carrier. She became LPH-8 from 1 July 1961, about at the same time the Iow Jima class debuted.

Final design of the Iwo Jima (SCB-157)

So for the first carriers converted for helicopter use, it was clear that the Essex class were not ideal. They were very fast, perhaps too much for the job, and almost too large to carry helicopters as initially they had been designed to carry 100 aircraft and perform the “sunday punch” attack from her deck. Angled deck conversions were costly, both to man and operate on the long run, especially in a context of budget reductions after the end of the Korean war. These hulls were approaching 15 years old as well and maintenance cost grew. It was judged more economical to have a more modest ship entirely and solely designed to operate helicopter, which began in 1955: SCB 157 started indeed on July 1955, just a study for a new amphibious assault helicopter carrier, with the lead ship of the class not laid down until 2 April 1959.

The idea was a platform which shapes were perfectly suited for helicopter use, had had a smaller, more economical machinery, a smaller crew, smaller dimensions and displacement than an Essex class, while being wider and more stable than a converted escort carrier. The R&D went on for 1955, 1956, 1957 and 1958 until plans were finalized and approved, and the first yard chosen for a FY1959 construction start, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. What really drove the design team was a ship much more efficient and effective for the Navy to operate helicopter, whatever their roles, as seen above, swapping from an amphibious role for the USMC to an ASW role for the Navy. The Iwo Jima were not the only ones brand-new ships that were helicopter capable: In 1952 already the USN planned a new class of LSDs since WW2, the Thomaston class, which sported over their aft dock a landing strip. There was however no hangar or support for helicopters.

The ships were designed to transport and deploy troops, equipment, and helicopters to support amphibious landings and other operations. They were also capable of providing medical support and operating as a mobile command center. Their planned displacement ended at 18,000 tons and they retained trusted steam turbines for a modest top speed of around 22 knots. They were not fleet carriers by any stretch. They were roomy despite their size, enough for 1,200 men between the ship’s crew, helicopter crew, and up to 2,000 troops for 30 helicopters. The ships were armed at first with essentially WW2 defence 20mm and 40mm AA guns, then 5-inch/54 caliber guns. The Iwo Jima would miss Korea but arrived right on time for the Cuban Missile Crisis and saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, playing a vital role for bringing troops, reinforcement, supplies to the frontline.

Genesis of the Project

These ships were the culmination of a long Marine Corps development of vertical envelopment, or helicopter assault. The basic motivation was fear of nuclear bombardment of concentrations of landing craft off relatively restricted beaches; helicopters could approach from greater distances, preserving concentration of the assault troops at the beaches while permitting dispersal of assault shipping. Probably the single greatest defect of the LPH was its in ability to operate landing craft. Thus it could not attack or support troops on the beach in rough weather, and its helicopters could not move heavy equipment over a beach. The Iwo Jima class helicopter carriers were designed in 1957 after studies of the conversion of alternative hulls, including some of the wartime fast battleships.

In fact three Essex class ASW carriers (Boxer, Princeton and Valley Forge) were converted to become austere LPHs (LPH 4, LPH 5 and LPH 8) with cargo stowed on their former hangar decks. They retained their 5-in/38 batteries for shore bombardments, a capability not matched by the specially-built LPH (but in fact restored in the later LHA). The basic LPH design incorporated provision for conversion to an ASW helicopter carrier, and in this sense provided a full replacement for the CVS conversions. However, unlike the Essex class CVS, the Iwo Jimas could not operate fixed-wing aircraft, since the design never incorporated either a catapult or arresting gear. Note that, at the time of design, there was no question of retiring the Essex class CVS.

The first special helicopter assault ship was the former escort carrier Thetis Bay (sec under Fleet Strength 1947), converted at San Francisco between 1 June 1955 and 1 September 1956, and designated CVHIA-1 before being redesignated LPH 2. A second CVE conversion under the FY57 programme, USS Block Island, was cancelled as seen above. She would have been LPH 1. Both the CVE and the CVS conversions were deficient in having insufficient ftroop spaces and so were not considered truc E Pis by the Marines, Even when troops could be accommodated, the subdivision of tvpical warships made that accommodation less than suitable. For example, the former carrier Princeton had Marines spaces ranging in capacity from four to 157 men, and such division would destroy unit cohesion.

Thus, the Iwo Jima also had to solve this problem. Their troop spaces showcased accommodation for 2000 troops, while being air conditioned, and with special vehicle stowage areas and special cargo facilities. Flight decks were “spotted” to accommodate seven CH-46 or four CH-53 helicopters for take-off as they appeared, the largest to be flown on these. The hangar was designed to accommodae, respectivelv, 19 and 11 of these helicopters, and more of earlier types. When helicopters are heavily laden, they benefit from take-off runs, so that effective operation limits th number of helicopter ‘spots’. Inchon (LPH 12) was unique in having davits to accommodate two LCVP landing craft.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Iwo Jima class were a far cry of massive but gracious WW2 carriers, they were tall and bulky, looking almost squeezed down. Displacement was still important at 11,000 tons light and 18,474 tons at full load, about the same as a WW2 CVL but a far cry to an Essex class. The major identification points were a tall freeboard, prow blending in a rounded forward deck lip, a semi-transom stern aft with a “V” shape from the keel, and a straight deck having five major spots with clear separation between taking off helicopters and parking/handling areas.

For their tonnage they “only” reached a modest 169.5 meters at the waterline and 592 ft (180 m) up to 183.6 meters in lenght overall, as much as a CVL, but wee almost twice as taller, an beamier with 25.7 meters at the waterline and 84 ft (26 m) overall, with the usual sponsoned posts all along, albeit not as developed as on aicraft carriers of the time. The draft was generous at 27 ft (8.2 m), mean. Another stcking point was the island, relatively large in proportion of the hull compared to contemporary carriers, but necessary to hand deck operations with two decks, on,e for navigation, one for air operations above. There was a single pole mast for sensors typical of the day, and a funnel aft. The ships were armed with classic artillery, with posts in front of the island and at corners of the flight deck aft. There were two main outer lifts placed forward amidship to port, opposite the island, and one starboard amidship aft, behind the island.

Powerplant

Propulsion was conventional. Speed was was not a priority, so power was reasonable and trusted with one single shaft, driven by a geared steam turbine, in tuen fed by two 600 psi (4.1 MPa) boilers,
for 22,000 shaft horsepower or a grand total of 16 MW. This was more like a cargo ship propulsion than military, but proved economical and was simple to maintaina nd operate while still procuring
a top speed of 22 knots (41 km/h) but on trials they could reach 23.5 knots with some overheating. Indeed unlike aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers had no need to be in the wind at speed to ease takeoffs. They were also not supposed to join the fleet, but operate first and foremost with slowe-pace amphibious and remained on station. Their operational ASW use in wartime remained only that, an option that was never trialled. In that case their lower speed can bee seen as a disadvantage to keep pace with multiple Soviet submarines, albeit their helicopters, not themselves were supposed to catch them up. They had even no sonar.

Machinery details changed among ships:
LPH2, 3, 7, 11 had a Westinghouse geared steam turbine (comprosed as usual of a HP and LP stage for cruising) with 2 Combustion Engineering boilers.
LPH9 had also a Westinghouse geared steam turbine but instead two Babcock & Wilcox boilers
LPH10 had a De Laval geared steam turbine and two Combustion Engineering boilers
LPH12 had a General Electric geared steam turbines and two Combustion Engineering boilers.

As for range, or fuel oil carried, it is disputed. Wikipedia states 11,118km (6,000nm) at 18 knots which seems reasonable.

Armament

3-in/50 Mk 33

Albeit initial plans in 1955 pushed for a larger armament mixing four quadruple and several fual 40 mm/60 Mark 1.2 or Mrk 2 Bofors AA mounts and possibly a few more 20 mm AA guns, this was in 1957 restricted to the newly available 3-in/50 Mark 33 the latest evolution of this venerable ordnace developed all the way back before WWI. This replacemùent for the Bofors was radar-guided and able to deal with early jets. This was an open mount with a rate of fire of up to 50 rpm at 2,700 fps (823 mps). At 58.68 degrees it could reach a target 13,000 yards (11,887 m) away. Two were located in superfiring positions in front of the island, then one on either cornet of the rear flight deck. This armament was removed and replaced in late 1970s major overhauls with Sea Sparrows and CIWS installed in place (see later).

Sensors

LN-66

Marconi LN-66, alias AN/SPS-59(V) was an X-band surface surveillance and short-range navigation radar made by the Canadian Marconi Company.
FRQ 9,375 MHz (X band) PRF 800, 1250, or 2500 Hz, pulsewidth (τ) 0.5 or 0.9 µs, Peak power 12 kW, average 6.25 W. Range 75 NM (139 km). beamwidth 2.5°, rotation 22, 24 or 30 rpm.

SPS-10

1959 model 2D aerial radar with FRQ 5.45 to 5.825 GHz (5.50 to 5.15 cm); C-band with PRF 650 Hz, Beamwidth 1.9° × 16° vertical, 12° horizontal
Pulsewidth 1.3 µs, rotation 15 rpm fixed, Range 50 miles (43 nmi; 80 km) peak power 190 kW peak (short pulse), 280 kW peak (long pulse).

SPS-40

1961 model 2D Air-search, FRQ 400-450 MHz, UHF band 7.5 rpm (long-range mode) or 15 rpm (low flier detection mode), range 250 nmi. Diameter 140″ x 214″. Azimuth 0-360°.
Elevation Vertical beam width 19°, Precision Horiz. beam width 10.5°. Peak Power 200 kW-300 kW.

AN/SPN-10

Computer-controlled approach radar used on US carriers, in K band (NATO designation) at 33.14 GHz. Instrumented range 4 NM (7.5 km), beamwidth 0.57°.

2x Mk 34 radars

Associated with the 3-in/50 Mark 33 mounts, X band/I band (NATO) fire-control radars for the gun-director Mark 63. High frequency, increased angular resolution and accuracy, and improved low-angle pointing with a solid symmetric parabolic reflektor and conical scan. FRQ 8,815 ±75 MHz (X band). PRF 1,800 Hz, pulsewidth (τ) 0.5 µs, peak power 32 kW, average 287 W, range 19.8 NM (36.5 km) resolution 180 m. beamwidth 2.25°.

WLR-1 ECM suite

The AN/WLR-1 is a shipborne radar warning receiver (RWR) that has been in service since the early 1960s. It is designed for real-time intercept of signals, direction-finding, processing and evaluation of radio-frequency signal emitters in the 0.5-18 GHz (C to J) bands.

Capacity

LPH2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 11 could carry 2,057 troops with the right accomodation, but the last in class, LPH12 in addition of the same had two LCVP. They also had a large sick bay, operating rooms and 100 bed hospital. They also can carry a limited number of vehicles such as jeeps that can fit into the Helicopters and a large amount of supplies. There was a goose crane behind the island.

Air Group

UH-34D, HMM-363 land on USS Iwo Jima in 1966

USS Iow Jima off Vietnam with a bunch of CH-46 parked forward and amidship, and four CH-53 aft, note the difference is size (pinterest).
At first these ships were design to carry 30 helicopters total. Nineteen 19 CH-46 or eleven CH-53 helicopters were standard in the 1960s. In Vietnam there were generally twenty-four CH-46, four CH-53, and four UH-1. In addition to the two lifts, large enough for any model with its rotor blades folded, there was a hangar sharing the same standard height as the supercarriers, to accomodate the largest and tallest models in inventory like the Ch-53.

CH-46 Sea Knight

Manufactured by Boeing Vertol this Medium-lift tandem-rotor helicopter introduced in 1962 was used by U.S. Marine Corps & U.S. Navy but was retired from the USMC in 2015. It wa sused for troop transport, cargo, medevac, ship-to-shore assault. The “Phrog” was powered by two × General Electric T58 and had a capacity of 25 troops or 4 tons internal cargo. It looked like the little brother of the CH-47 Chinook with its twin rotors instead of a main one and stabilizer.

CH-53 Sea Stallion

Primarily used by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, known for its power, size, and shipboard capability it was designed and manufactured by Sikorsky as a Heavy-lift transport helicopter making its maiden flight in 1964. Nicknamed “Super Jolly Green Giant” for later variants it was tasked of carrying Heavy cargo, as troop transport, amphibious assault, and medevac.
Main Variants included the CH-53A/D (Sea Stallion) and the early USMC versions could carry 55 (CH-53E) or 38 troops initially with supply in one go, with their gear, and more on external lift capacity under sling of 13,000 lb (6 tons) and carry up two jeeps or one and a trailer. Powered by two General Electric T64
This was the longest & heaviest helicopter in U.S. military service for decades. The spots were not sufficient for all six to be stationed and take off at once, they had to take off in sequence to avoid fatal interferences. They even make the Iwo Jima looks puny in comparison.

Bell UH-1

The mythical Bell UH-1 “Iroquois” (Huey) was the smallest of all three. It is easily one of the most iconic helicopters in aviation history and a symbol of the Vietnam War era. This Utility helicopter first flew in 1956, used by all branches and over 40 countries. The Nickname “Huey” was derived from its designation HU-1. It had a single two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor, but was turboshaft-powered which was revolutionary at the time. This air battle taxi was extremely rugged, simple, and versatile with a basic troop capacity of 11–13 with pintle and flexible mounts for M60 LMGs it could also be equipped with rocket pods and gatling miniguns for assaults.
The UH-1 was powered by a Lycoming T53 and used for air assault, medevac, command & control.
Variants included the UH-1B/C Gunship-capable with rockets, machine guns and miniguns as seen above, direct ancestors of the AH-1 Cobra (also operated by the Iow Jima class at some point).
The UH-1N “Twin Huey” was probably also used in their late careers, but not sure for the UH-1Y Venom.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	11,000 tons (light), 18,474 tons (full)
Dimensions	592 x 84 x 27 ft (180 x 26 x 8.2 m). FD 105 ft (32 m)
Propulsion	1 shaft geared steam turbine, 2× 600 psi (4.1 MPa) boilers 22,000 shp (16 MW)
Speed	22 knots (41 km/h)
Range
Armament	2×2 3-in/50 DP guns
Armament (Mod)	1×8 Sea Sparrow BPDMS, later 2× Phalanx CIWS
Protection
Sensors	LN-66, SPS-10, SPS-40, SPN-10, Mk 34 FCR, WLR-1 ECM
Air Group	25-25 helicopters (later AV-8 Harriers)
Crew	667 ship +c180-300 air crew, troops 2,157

Modifications

Upgrades

Between 1970 and 1974, all Iwo Jima class ships had two of their four twin 3-in/50 mounts replaced by Sea Sparrow in two octuple launchers. One was located on the flight deck forward, and one on the port quarter. Two Phalanx CIWS were also installed and eventually two 25mm Bushmasters to feal with asymetric threats. The 3-in guns were all removed in all cases. In 1994 these ships were updated with the Basic Point Defense Missile Systems in the Navy.

Variant Conversions

In 1971 USS Guam was modified as a prototype Sea Control Ship. She was later refitted as an LPH. Inchon operated minesweeping helicopters in Operation Endsweep, the clearance of the ports of North Vietnam in 1973. The idea went to fruition after decades in the 1990s into a more complete conversion (see below)

USS Tripoli became also a mine countermeasures HQ ship during the Gulf war, mined on 18 Februarv 1991. Other units also served in the capacity of countermine mothership.

The Australian Replacement

A modified version of the Iwo Jima LPH design was offered to Australia as a replacement for the carrier Melbourne. It was considered the most likely candidate, in a competition which included the Spanish (formerly US) Sea Control Ship Principe de Asturias and the Italian Garibaldi. The original LPH steam turbine plant was to have been replaced by a pair of LM2500 gas turbines of twice the power. This plan was dropped when Britain offered Invincible. However, with the change in British naval policy following the Falklands War, the British offer was withdrawn, and as of this writing it remains to be seen whether the Australian competition is reopened.

USS Inchon as a minehunting mothership

USS Inchon (LPH 12) was to be converted into a mine countermeasures support ship (MCS 8) in 1995-85 but a second conversion planned for FY96 was dropped, as was a plan to acquire a flo-flo merchant ship to carry mine countermeasure craft quickly to combat zones far overseas. As converted, USS Inchon was planned to carry eight MH-53E sweeper/hunter helicopters (hangar capacity is eleven) as well as an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team, and be able to support four Avenger or Osprey class sweeper/hunters, fuelling them astern while underway or alongside when moored.

Perhaps her most important feature was the ability to process data collected by the helicopters’ new AQS-20 minehunting sonars. In theory, the helicopters can quickly survey a potential minetield, meaving decisions as to whether a suspicious object is or is not a mine for the data processors on board the carrier or for individual sweeper hunters. Other helicopters may use anti-mine torpedoes under development at the same time to attack objects believed to be mines. By way of contrast, a surface hunter must stop Well short of a suspicious object, examine it, and then neutralise it nefore moving on. The carrier’s new Mine Countermeasures Coordination Center was to be able to process the electronic minehunting charts prepared by the surface units as they work through the field. Conversion entails removal of the ship’s BPDMS missile launchers and 3-in/50 guns, leaving only Phalanx or self-defence but in theory the ship was able to remain well beyond the Horizon of shore defences.

USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 (1960)

Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was laid down at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton on 2 April 1959. She was launched on 17 September 1960 and commissioned on 26 August 1961. After shakedown training, she remained off California coast in amphibious exercises but by April 1962, she entered TF 8 at Johnston Island for Operation Dominic (nuclear tests): She evacuated several islands thtreatened by a fallout, and took part in test evaluation. On 26 July she sailed forPearl Harbor, then San Diego, arrived on 10 August 1962. In September she was paret of full-scale amphibious exercises in California in October and a first WestPac (western Pacific deployment)… until recalled for the Cuban Missile Crisis on 19 October viaSan Diego. She embarked Marines on 22-27 October, and arrived in the Caribbean, cruising in high alert until December and back to San Diego on the 13th. In 1963 she was in amphibious exercises and training and departed for her first Westpack again on 30 August with the 7th Fleet, sailing to the Philippines and Taiwan.

On 31 October 1963, sailed for “special operations” along the coast of South Vietnam, protecting American nationals and returned to Subic Bay on 12 November. She trained with the Special Landing Forces, inc. landing raids practice off Taiwan and Okinawa. She unloaded ammunition at Sasebo and sailed back on 13 April 1964 to San Diego for maintenance, amphibious training with Marines off California and overhaul at Long Beach until 7 December 1964 followed by a refresher training. On 13 March she departed for San Diego to take Marines and supplies, as well as Army helicopters, tanker trucks and vehicles in her hangar and flight deck to be unloaded in Vietnam plus 1,000 troops. She departed on 12 April 1965 via Pearl Harborand in May, arrived off Vũng Tàu in South Vietnam. She flew a total of 77 Army helicopters (mostly UH1s) loaded with troops and cargo and proceeded to Subic Bay to disembark troops and equipment for the planned operation at Chu Lai on 12 May. She protected Marines and Seabees establishing an air field and provided helicopter support for the forces ashore, inc. defense perimeter patrol and becoming general support center for laundry, showers, fresh provisions and mail service, command ship to supervise off-loading ships over the beach.

On 7 June 1965 she helped creating Phu Bai Combat Base, 30 miles north of Da Nang. She returned to Subic Bay then Sasebo, and Buckner Bay, Okinawa to embark Marines and equipment until 26 June, and sailed for Qui Nhon with USS Talladega and USS Point Defiance (Task Group 76.5, 7th Fleet) with the Marine Special Landing Force. The landing started on the 31th at Qui Nhon, 100 miles south of Chu Lai. She remained until 20 July 1965 and sailed for Pratas Reef, 240 miles SW of Taiwan with her helicopters sent to aid the salvage of destroyer USS Frank Knox after the typhoon “Gilda”. Men were heli-lifted off the destroyer in 12 feet high surf. Detached on 1 August 1965 her crew had R&R in Hong Kong, and she sailed for the Philippines. On 17 August she headed for Vung Tau and Operation Starlite, first of her YSMC five-day SAD (search-and-destroy) operation. This combined Navy/Marine Corps amphibious operation backed by gunfire support from USS Galveston and two destroyers endded as a success on 24 August. Iwo Jima surgical teams also took charge of US casualties. While back to Subic Bay she learned that USS Frank Knox refloated. Later she landed her Marine Special Landing Force at Chu Lai (1/2 September) and embarked 800 Marines on rotation to Buckner Bay and Qui Nhon (10 September) where she covered landing for the Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division, supporting three amphibious assault and SAD raids along the coast in October. She remained in stand-by for possible evacuation of U.S. nationals in Indonesia nearby. She then sailed for Da Nang for a helicopter squadron exchange and relieved by USS Valley Forge. After a stop at Yokosuka, went home on 1 November (San Diego).

In 1966 she was back with the 7th Fleet Amphibious Ready Group that performed 20 SAD operations along the South Vietnamese coast from March 1965 to September 1966. Operation Deckhouse IV was the most rirky and successful, just 3 miles south of the Vietnamese DMZ, decimating a NV regiment of the 342B Division. Iwo Jima stayed at San Diego for upkeep and until June, had an extensive refresher training. On 24 July she sailed off Iwo Jima for her second WestPac and Vietnam TOD. She had one Marine groups that landed on Iwo Jima 2 decades earlier saluting the island. She had a run off Vietnam and R&R in Japan, the back on the line for special operations in the Mekong Delta region from 30 December. By January 1967 CO Captain Nils W. Boe, was relieved by Captain F. X. Timmes. On 1 July 1967 she was reassigned to Amphibious Squadron 3, Amphibious Squadron 1. She was soon back home, ending her Vietnam career.

On 17 April 1970 she became the flagship of Task Force 130 for Apollo 13 splashdown near Samoa. In the 1995 film Apollo 13, she was played by her sister ship New Orleans (LPH-11) still around, a nice touch of realism from Ron Howard, which also made tformer Iwo Jima’s skipper, Captain Leland Kirkemo portrayed by the real Captain Jim Lovell. No logs for the 1970s. She had a comprehensive refit. From 10 May 1983 to 8 December 1983, she operated off the Lebanese coast with the Med. Amphibious Ready Group 2-83 (MARG 2-83) with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (24th MAU) on board making a landing on 29 May to take Beirut International Airport and relieving the 22nd MAU, centerpiece of the Multinational Force in Lebanon. However in between on 23 October 1983, an attack on the Marine’s barracks caused the death of 241 US servicemen and wounded a further 60.

On 11 October 1989 there was a fiendly fire when incident El Paso (LKA-117) CIWS turned against a target drone and some El Paso rounds struck the bridge of Iwo Jima, killing 1 officer and injuring a petty officer. In October 1990 there was a Catastrophic boiler accident while in the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield. After two months of operation she was an undetected leak in a steam valve which was repaired while docked in Manama (Bahrain) by a local contractor but under US government inspection. On 30 October as she raised steam the valve leakrf until the bonnet blew off the valve killin 10 crewmen in the room. Fasteners of the wrong material were used on the valve, and incorrect inspection. USS Iwo Jima was decommissioned on 14 July 1993, struck on 24 September, sold for scrap on 18 December 1995 albeit island was at the Museum of the American GI in College Station (Texas) until scrapped.

USS Okinawa LPH-3 (1961)

uss okinawa

USS Okinawa (LPH-3) was laid down at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 1 April 1960, launched on 19 August 1961 and commissioned on 14 April 1962. After sea trials, USS Okinawa departed on 20 June 1962 for her homeport in Norfolk for fitting out followed by a 6-week shakedown cruise and a first fleet exercise in the Caribbean by October, followed by a presence during the Cuban Missile Crisis until 3 December. After availability at Philadelphia and Norfolk she started a first Caribbean deployment until 1 October. In June 1964 she left for Rhode Island and New York (World’s Fair) followed by European waters for amphibious ex. “Steel Pike I” off the coast of Spain. She stopp in France and UK and was back at Norfolk in November. In April 1965 whil off Puerto Rico she was sent off the Dominican Republic as medical evacuation ship with HMM-263 and the 1st Bn. 2d Marines (Dominican crisis) until 29 May. She had an overhaul at Philadelphia and from April 1966 she returned to Norfolk for a 3rd Caribbean deployment, on 13 June, and transferred to the Pacific, then West Coast on 24 January 1967, San Diego on 8 February.

Okinawa left on 10 March for a first Vietnam TOD. On 13 April underway to Taiwan she received a distress call, rescued 38 crew from the grounded Panamanian vessel Silver Peak, Shosho Islands. Off Vietnam she took part in many SAD missions and was back at San Diego on 5 December. On 4 April 1968 she was part of the recovery TF for the unmanned Apollo 6 off Kauai, Hawaii. She had a second Westpac from 2 November to 26 June 1969 and back to San Diego. On 17 May 1970 she delivered ten A-4K Skyhawk, four TA-4K to New Zealand after purchase. She went through a severe storm after leaving Hawaii but the aircraft survived. In 1970 she was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for her humanitarian assistance at Lagonoy Gulf (Philippines) after the Typhoon Jean in October. On 7 August 1971 she was the recovery ship fore Apollo 15. In April 1975 she took part in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon. From 7 October 1987 to 7 April 1988 she was in the Persian Gulf for mine sweeping operations with MAGTF 1-88 and went home by circumnavigating the world.
She became the command ship for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in August 1990, WestPac ending in the Persian Gulf for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with her Helicopters launched as a diversion at the start of the ground phase. She was decommissioned, stricken on 17 December 1992. She remained in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay and eventually sunk as a target in COMSUBPAC SINKEX on 6 June 2002, off California, hit by several Maverick, Harpoon and bombs, finisihed off by a Mk 48 torpedo from USS Portsmouth. Now an artificial reef off Southern Cal.

USS Guadalcanal LPH-7 (1963)

USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) was laid down at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 1 September 1961, launched o 16 March 1963 and commissioned on 20 July 1963, join the Amphibious Forces of the Atlantic Fleet. She left Norfolk on 23 October 1963 for shakedown training and off North Carolina bt December for amphibious landings trials. She departed for Panama 11 February 1964, 2 months on station as flagship, PhibRon 12 (12 Marine Expeditionary Unit). She had a maintenance at Philadelphia on 26 May until redeployed on 7 October for Operation “Steel Pike 1” (NATO landing on southern Spain). On 21 July 1966 she was part of the Gemini X recovery mission. On 1 November 1966 she had a UH-2B Seasprite crashing while taking off from her flight deck while stationed at the Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth before a major overhaul. In addition to three Marines, one civilian shipyard worker died, 12 others hospitalized. with 9 more sailors and civilians treated for minor injuries. On 9 May 1968 she floated adrift off North Carolina after a failure of her propulsion (burned out bearing). On 13 March 1969 she was par tof the Task Force for the recovery of Apollo 9 off the Bahamas.

On 27 January 1976 she went aground on coral in Augusta Bay, Sicily, damaging her bow, but damage overall was moderate. Three days later she had all her cargo, personnel, helicopters, and fuel off-loaded to help refloating her. On 17 September 1981 near Sardinia she lost an USMC CH-53D helicopter while attempting to land in training exercises (5 crewment died). On 24 September 1981 USS Guadalcanal and the USNS Waccamaw (T-AO-109) collided during a replenishment at sea operation (RAS) south of Sardinia. Minor damage, no injuries. In October 1985 she celebrated her 100,000th helicopter landing. In 1987n she led the minesweeping operations in the Persian Gulf. Her helcopters spotted and attacked Iran Ajr laying mines. Disabled, she was boarded by Marines from Guadalcanal, captured and interned, the second case since 1815. the first was the German submarine U-505, captured in 1944 by the first USS Guadalcanal, an escort carrier.) Guadalcanal also provided the Marines for the first wave of Operation Provide Comfort, She latter assisted the Kurdish relief operations in Northern Iraq in 1991.

On 25 May 1993, USS Guadalcanal and USS Monongahela (AO-178), collided during another replenishment at sea off of Cape Hatteras (North Carolina) when the former’s main gyrocompass failed. 5 crew had minor injuries. Damage was repaired for $1.635M between the the two ships. USS Guadalcanal was one of the earliest ships decommissioned, which was done a year later in 1994. USS Guadalcanal joined the James River Reserve Fleet until stricken. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum of New York City wanted to acquire her, to beth nearby the Essex class carrier, and use her as floating heliport to replace the West 30th Street Heliport but this was abandoned in 1996 after local residents protested this would ruin their view of the Hudson. Instead she was used as a target, sunk in the Virginia Capes, 19 May 2005.

USS Guam LPH-9 (1964)

USS Guam (LPH-9) was laid down at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 15 November 1962, launched on 22 August 1964 and commissioned on 16 January 1965, 3rd US Navy ship of that name. After builder’s trials, she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet on 21 April 1965, homeported to Norfolk. She trined at Hampton Roads and off the Virginia Capes, then Cuba and back to Norfolk on 5 July. Next she had intensive amphibious training, starting on 29 November in the Caribbean. On 10 December she as assigned to the Amphibious Ready Squadron as flagship, Amphibious Squadron 12, operating at peak readiness with an area of operations including Central America. On 16-28 February 1966 she patroled off the Dominican Republic. By June 1966 she had dockyard post shakedown availability.
She left Philadelphia on 2 August as primary recovery ship for Gemini 11, mission accomplished after splashdown on 15 September. From 28 November to 12 December she was at Exercise “Lantflex 66” and became flagship of Amphibious Squadron 8. In the summer of 1971, she became a test vessel for Admiral Elmo Zumwalt concept of a Sea Control Ship, prepared to operate VSTOL fighters and ASW helicopters to free up supercarriers from convoy duty in case of WW3 (in essence, a carrier escort, planne to be built but never voted, the Spanish Princepe de Asturias is a recycling of thsee plans). On 18 January 1972, she had extensive testing. In 1974 she was deployed in the Atlantic as sea control ship, her deck reiforced and coated to operate Marine Corps AV-8A Harrier VSTOL fighters and Sea King ASW helicopters. These SCS tests were successfully completed on 1 July 1974. By October 1974 however she was the only one to operate six AV-8A, eight CH-46F Sea Knights, five CH-53D Sea Stallions and two Bell UH-1N Iroquis utility helicopters.

On 17 January 1977 in Barcelona a landing craft used as “liberty boat” by USS Trenton and USS Guam was run over by a freighter, capsized and ships around lent assistance. Of the one hundred sailors and marines on board, 49 drowned and a a memorial was erected at the landing pier. As she operated 50 km southeast of Morehead City (North Carolina), on 19 July 1981, a Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter crashed into another CH-53 and a Bell UH-1N Twin Huey on landing (4 died, 10 injured). Guam deployed off Beirut in 1982 for the multi-national peacekeeping force.
In October 1983 she was redirected to the Caribbean as flagship for Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada with VADM Joseph P. Metcalf III on board in a control center designed to accommodate his HQ. She returned to Lebanon with Amphibious Squadron Four/22nd Marine Amphibious Unit and back on 1 May 1984. By early 1985 she had a massive oberhaul at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. On 28 January 1986 while in post-overhaul sea trials some pf her crew saw the explosion of NASA Challenger shuttle 750 miles South of their location. She rushed there but only recovered floating pieces of debris including some vital for the later enquiry. She latter was awarded the Navy/Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Citation.

May-November 1986 saw her with MARG 2–86 in the Mediterranean and while returning she damaged by tropical storm off the East Coast en route to Rota, after gross command error with a sailor killed on an escort ship. which deck was swept clean and needed repairs. All personnel were confined to racks for three days. Guam had repairs in Toulon for three weeks. She departed Norfolk in August 1990, under Captain Chuck Saffell for the Persian Gulf, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. On 2 January 1991 with USS Trenton she sailed to Somalia to airlift the US embassy from Mogadishu enveloped by violence. On 5–6 January, 281 US and foreign nationals were airlifted with international personal, inc. the Soviet ambassador to Somalia and 38 Soviet diplomats. She disembarked them in Oman, ending Operation Eastern Exit. In 1993, she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award, Atlantic Fleet. In 1996 she supported the 22nd MEU for Operation Assured Response off Liberia. She kept all this time an emergency complement of 4 AV-8Bs Harriers. Her final trip was from September 1997 through April 1998, before the final ammunition offload at NS Yorktown. She was decommissioned on 25 August 1998, kept in reserve at Norfolk until disposed of as a target off the US east coast, on 16 October 2001. This SINKEX was conducted by the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group. It took 12 hours to sink her due to her watertight sealed compartments.

USS Tripoli LPH-10 (1965)

uss tripoli

USS Tripoli was ordered and laid down at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula on 15 June 1964, launched on 31 July 1965 and commissioned on 6 August 1966. She was the second of the name, from the Battle of Derna in 1805, linked to the first Barbary War, first recorded land battle of the USN overseas. On 6 November 1966 she sailed to the west coast via Panama for San Diego, on 22 November for acceptance trials, shakedown, post-shakedown availability at Long Beach. Next she embarked Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463, VMO-6, and liaison staff for the Amphibious Squadron 8, on 1 May 1967, intended for the western Pacific and three tours of Duty in Vietnam (to be detailed in 2027). This activity took her until 1973. The Pacific Fleet introduced a year later the AV-8A Harrier, with test on Tripoli between 17 June and 13 August 1974 and she became the first amphibious warfare ship with a full squadron of AV-8s according to Admiral Zumwalt’s SCS ideas to turn the class into wartime ASW and escort carriers.

On 12 November 1981 she left San Diego for a western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployment as flagship of Amphibious Squadron One (USS Duluth, USS Mount Vernon, USS Fresno) visiting Perth and Fremantle until 3 February 1982 and back on 15 May 1982. She also tested the XV-15 experimental tilt-rotor aircraft, precursor of the V-22 Osprey. In 1990, the invasion of Kuwait prompted a US led coalition rsponse, sanctioned by the UN. On 1 December 1990, Tripoli sailed to the northern Persian Gulf as flagship for airborne mine countermeasures operations with HM-14 and HMLA-773. On the morning of 18 February 1991 at 04:36 Tripoli she was struck by a LUGM-145 mine on her starboard bow, ripping a 16×20 ft hole which needed 20 hours of damage control at sea to be stabilized and resuming operations. Her JP5 fuel tanks were damaged hwever so she could not operate her MH-53E Seadragons but she remained on station for a week before being sent to Jubail to crossdeck her helicopters to USS New Orleans and be repaired at Bahrain’s Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co. 30 days of quick repairs were followed by a returned in the Persian Gulf, spearheading U.N. mine sweeping operation.

The US Mine Countermeasures Group (USMCMG) was established to clear a path to the beach for the planned diversionary amphibious landing plus battleship gunfire support. She operated as a mothership and HQ for USS Adroit, Impervious, Leader and USS Avenger and no less than 20 Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. She also led minsweepers from Saudi Arabia, Great Britain and Kuwait and deployed her MH-53E Sea Dragons of Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 14. She cleared the northern part of the Persian Gulf as flagship for combined operation and then shifted to 60 miles (97 km) east of the Kuwaiti coastline, clearing a 15 miles (24 km) long, 1,000 yards (910 m) wide path. They cleared the battleship gunfire support area south of Faylaka Island. but they were also targeted by Iraqi fire control radars ready to fire at them Silkworm missiles from inside Kuwait. On 18 February, within three hours Tripoli and USS Princeton were struck by a mine each but damage control teams overcame fires and flooding on both. She was at last was relieved by USS La Salle and USS New Orleans, sent to Bahrain for repairs. Later Tripoli was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon for exceptional performance.

On 3 December 1992, Tripoli was sent to the coast of Somalia for a first landing in support of Operation Restore Hope. During the night landing, her Marines secured the airport and seaports in Mogadishu. When Saddam Hussein redeployed forces along the border of Kuwait in late 1994, Tripoli was back in the northern Persian Gulf, prepared to conduct amphibious operations and Operation Vigilant Warrior resulted in a general withdrawal. Back home, USS Tripoli was decommissioned in 1995. As of 2004, she was on loan to the US Army from Mare Island and by December 2006, towed to Pearl Harbo as launch platform for the new ballistic missile defense program. She was stationed 100 miles (160 km) off shore to launch small ballistic missiles intercepted by Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Missiles from the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The last test was on 26 October after which she was towed back to San Francisco Bay buut she later returned to Pearl Harbor for a second series of tests by the spring 2008. In March 2015 she was towed back through Panama to the Beaumont Reserve Fleet and in August 2016 designated for disposal, sold in July 2018, to Brownsville by European Metal Recycling.

USS New Orleans LPH-11 (1968)

USS New Orleans in San Diego 1988

USS New Orleans was laid down at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 1 March 1966, launched on 3 February 1968 and commissioned on 16 November 1968. She was deplloyed to the Western Pacific in August 1969 as flagship for Amphibious Ready Group Bravo with a Marine helicopter squadron and battalion landing team. She took part in Operation Keystone Cardinal, Marines leaving South Vietnam. She was back home by March 1970. After five amphibious exercises and Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) maneuvers in the South China Sea (stops as Hong Kong, Manila, Subic Bay, Okinawa, Taipei) she was back at her homeport of San Diego. In August 1970, she was flagship, Commander 1st Fleet supporting president Richard Nixon’s visit to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico with a stop at Acapulco. By late 1970, she was sent as flagship for the the recovery of Apollo 14. On 9 February 1971, she picked up Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa and Edgar Mitchell, south of Samoa. By May 1971, she made a second WestPac, with multi-national exercises, simulated assault on Mindoro, Philippines anc back by November.

Her third WestPac started on 17 July 1972 and she became flagship, Amphibious Squadron Three, the Amphibious Ready Group Alfa. This summer she embarked units dedicated to the Philippine flood relief operations. She engaged in contingency operations off Vietnam until early February 1973 and became flagship for Commander TF 78, control ship for Operation End Sweep. CTF 78 (RADM Brian McCauley) wasn sent in de-mining operations in North Vietnamese waters and stopped in Haiphong on 17 April 1973. She next took part in recovery operations for Skylab 3 on 25 September, Skylab 4 mission on 8 February 1974 and recovered astronauts Thomas Stafford, Deke Slayton, and Vance Brand in the first joint American–Soviet Apollo–Soyuz mission of 24 July 1975. An era ended before the Space Shuttle. In 1980, she was deployed in the Indian Ocean for the Iran hostage crisis. She had amajor overhaul at Puget Sound in 1981. After exercises in 1982 and 1983 like RIMPAC ’82, Kernel Usher ’83-1, Team Spirit 83, WESTPAC ’83 she made another Westpac from May to December 1984 between the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, with eight major amphibious operations such as Operation Beach Guard, Cobra Gold, Valiant Usher. She was the first to land troops on Iwo Jima since WWII as well at Inchon since the Korean War. On WESTPAC 1986 she remained off the Philippine coast during national elections.

When Pdt. Reagan visited Bali, Indonesia she procured medical and communications support. Back home she took part in two major exercises and made a 13th Westpac, taking paert in four amphibious exercises such as Cobra Gold ’88, Valiant Usher ’89-1, Valiant Blitz ’89-1, aslo stopping at Perth for the country’s bicentennial. In 1989 she visited Mazatlán and Seattle (Seattle Sea Fair) and undertook an humanitarian relief effort in Cabo San Lucas. After her maintenance availability in January 1990 her WestPack led her to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf for Operations Desert Storm, Desert Saber and Desert Shield until 28 August 1991. She was part of the largest amphibious task force CTG-36/CTF-156 deployed on the West Coast since decades, off-loading 1,700 Marines. Later back in the Middle east she procured airborne mine countermeasures in the North Persian Gulf, off Kuwait. By November 1991 she touched San Diego for a six-month overhaul. By October 1992 she was at Fleet Week ’92 San Francisco. She had her “Tailored Ship’s Training Availability”. In September 1993 she startred her 15th WESTPAC including Valiant Usher ’93 and Amphibious Ready Group sent for Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. She was part there of Naval Battle Force, Somalia (RADM Arthur K. Cebrowski) by the fall 1993 together with USS America, other ships and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit for which she won an Expeditionary Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation until 1 February 1994. By November 1994 she impersonated US Iow Jima for director Ron Howard’s movie about the Oscar-winning Apollo 13.

By June 1995 she had another WESTPAC and covered the raid on Al Hamra on 24 October, back to San Diego on 22 December. She embarked 198 Sea Scouts for a “Tiger Cruise” from Pearl Harbor to San Diego. She was away on 31 January 1997 with Marines from the 31st MEU(SOC) from Okinawa and took part in Operation Tandem Thrust ’97 off Australia, weathering Cyclone Justin. She was decommissioned in reserve in San Diego by October 1997. In 2006 she was sent to Pearl Harbor to be disposed of at SINKEX 2008, then listed for scrapping, then back to sinking, on 10 July 2010 during RIMPAC 2010 by seven Harpoon, B-52s’ five GBU-10s. Then as she listed all five participatants (US, Japan, Australia, Canada, France) finished her off mostly with gunfire.

USS Inchon LPH-12 (1969)

USS Inchon 2001

USS Inchon was laid down at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascasgoula on 8 April 1968, launched on 24 May 1969 and commissioned on 20 June 1970. In 1972–1973, she circumnavigated the globe until back to NS Norfolk. In February 1973 she joined TF 78 for Operation End Sweep, clearing mines from North Vietnamese waters after the Paris Peace Accords, completed on 18 July. On 9 July 1975 sailors and marines put out a major blaze on a Spanish merchant vessel at Palma de Mallorca. On 16 December she collided with the oiler USS Caloosahatchee west of Italy in an RAS. On 5 February 1980 the same happened with USS Spiegel Grove in the Atlantic. Inchon’s helicopter elevator ripped through a Marine berthing space on Spiegel Grove and damaged her cranes but no injuries. On 29 September 1981she lost her Handling Officer LCDR Kenneth Wessel in an UH-1 Huey crash off Virginia Beach (3 survived). On 7 October 1981 she had a boiler explosion at NS Norfolk (no casualties). From 29 October 1982 to 15 February 1983 she won a Navy Unit Commendation and Navy Expeditionary Medal as a flagship of Amphibious Squadron 6 at Beirut. On 13 August 1986 one of evaporators detonated while underway to Morehead City, causing one dead. Se had to return to Norfolk for repairs. In November 1989 she suffered a fire in the hangar deck with 31 intoxicated, and new repairs in Norfolk.

USS Inchon took part in Operation Sharp Edge in 1990 (Liberia’s civil war). Next she patrolled the southern Mediterranean for emergency evacuations linked to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In 1994 she was sent to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean for Operation Continue Hope off Somalia, Operation Deny Flight off Bosnia. She returned home for only two weeks, and returned for Operation Uphold Democracy off Haiti. On 1 March 1995 she was reclassed as mine countermeasures ship MCS-12, converted over 15-month at Ingalls Shipbuilding. In July 1996 she was homeported to Ingleside, Texas at the USN Mine Warfare Center of Excellence. She became a mine warfare command ships, and operating Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon mine-sweeping helicopters as well as depot and repair ship for Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships, Osprey-class coastal minehunters. She was in the Active Naval Reserve Force on 30 September 1996. In March-July 1997, she made one such deployment and in 1999 (April-August) she took part in Operation Shining Hope, humanitarian relief in the Balkans. Her last deployment was in April 2001. On 19 October she had an oil fire in the main boiler room while having engineering trials due to a fuel oil leak from a faulty gasket on a main fuel pumps. Petty Officer Third Class Ronnie Joe Palm Jr. of Houston died from smoke inhalation after helping one fellow sailors to escape (8 survived), being posthumously awarded by the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Her boiler plant severe damaged accelerated her decommission schedule to 20 June 2002 in Texas. She was towed to Philadelphia to be laid up, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, stricken on 24 May 2004, sunk on 5 December 2004 off Virginia Beach.