The United States Navy has successfully commissioned its latest amphibious transport dock, to be known as the USS Portland.
During an official ceremony held at the Port of Portland, Deputy Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan delivered his principal address to a crowd of distinguished guests. Among them, Bonnie Amos – wife of the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, retired General James Amos – who now serves as the ship’s sponsor. In accordance with tradition, it was Mrs Amos who gave the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
“USS Portland enters service in a period of dynamic security challenges, and I am confident this ship and crew will conquer these and future challenges because of the strength and talent of the Sailors and Marines who will serve aboard this ship,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer. “I am certain that USS Portland will proudly represent both the United States and the people of Portland in maritime operations around the world for decades to come.”
The future USS Portland is the US Navy’s 11th San Antonio-class ship. It bears the distinction of being the second vessel to honour Oregon’s most populous city and the third US Navy boat to carry the Portland moniker.
San Antonio-class ships are designed to support the embarking, transportation and landing of more than 800 marines. Crucially, each ship comes equipped with a flight deck, able to accommodate both the CH-53E Sea Stallion and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and a well deck from which landing craft and amphibious vehicles can launch and be recovered.
This versatility has made the San Antonio-class ship a major player in maritime security operation in support of a variety of amphibious assault or expeditionary warfare missions. San Antonio-class ships have also carried out anti-piracy operations, provided humanitarian assistance and supported foreign disaster relief operations across the globe.
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Image courtesy of Lance Davis and the US Navy.
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