Navy’s Newest Amphibious Ship Named San Diego

Artist’s concept of the San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock ships. (Credit: U.S. Navy graphic)

Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England has named the U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock ship (LPD 22) in honor of the city of San Diego. “San Diego is home to a large number of the Pacific Fleet’s ships. For decades, our nation’s Sailors and Marines have begun their service to America at boot camps in San Diego.

Thousands of military families and veterans have fallen in love with the area, and are fortunate enough to live and work in San Diego. USS San Diego will project American power to the far corners of the earth and support the cause of freedom well into the 21st century," England said.

Additionally, England noted the longstanding relationship between the U.S. Navy and residents of San Diego. "San Diego is a great Navy town and one of the world’s finest harbors. For more than a century, the city has served as a vital base of operations for the U.S. Navy, and the citizens of 'America’s Finest City' have welcomed our Sailors and Marines as neighbors.”

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Avondale Operations in New Orleans will build San Diego. The 684-ft. long amphibious transport dock will carry a crew of approximately 360 Navy Sailors and 700 Marines. The ship will be used to transport and land Marines, as well as their equipment and supplies in support of amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions. These personnel and supplies will be delivered via embarked landing craft air cushions, conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles, and can be augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft.

LPD 22 will play a vital role in the success of our Navy/Marine Corps team. It will carry joint combat forces to the fight with increased lift capacity, superior command and control capabilities, and improved ship survivability. It will give Expeditionary Strike Groups greater speed, agility and reach, and will help us to dominate the near-land battlespace. These ships incorporate substantial quality of service improvements to include sit-up berths, a ship services mall, an enhanced fitness center and a learning resource center.

Three previous ships carried the name San Diego - the armored cruiser (ACR 6) named in 1914, the World War II cruiser (CL 53) and the combat stores ship (AFS 6). (Source: Navy News Desk)