Special
Release from the U.S. Department of Defense
August 17, 2004
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A San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship (Navy photo). |
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England has named the
Navy's next amphibious transport dock ship in honor of the city of Anchorage,
Alaska.
"Anchorage is an important seaport and one of our nation's great cities.
For many years, thousands of young men and women from Alaska have stepped
forward to serve America as a Sailor or Marine. The warm hospitality of
the people of Anchorage has always welcomed the fleet. USS Anchorage will
project American power to the far corners of the earth, and support the
cause of freedom well into the 21st century," England said.
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Avondale Operations in New Orleans will build
Anchorage. The 684-foot long amphibious transport dock ship will carry a
crew of about 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.
Anchorage will play a vital role in the success of the 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 battle space. These ships incorporate
substantial quality of service improvements to include sit-up berths, a
ship services mall, an enhanced fitness facility and a state of the art
learning resource center.
The previous Anchorage served for nearly 40 years, including recent service
in the global war on terrorism. It was decommissioned in 2003.
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