USS Saipan (LHA-2)

Missing image
Uss_saipan_lha_2.jpg
USS Saipan (LHA 2)

Career USN Jack
Ordered:
Laid down: 21 Jul 1972
Launched: 20 Jul 1974
Commissioned: 15 Oct 1977
Decommissioned:
Fate: Template:Active in service
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Motto: Omnia Facimus (We do it all)
Struck:
General Characteristics
Displacement: 27,165 tons
Length: 820 ft
Beam: 106 ft
Draught: 28 ft
Propulsion: Steam Turbine
Speed: 20+ kts
Complement: Crew: 65 officers, 1,009 enlisted

Troop: 125 officers, 1,730 enlisted

Armament: SWY-2 Ship Self-Defense System with two RAM GMLS, two Phalanx Close-in-Weapons Systems, three .50 caliber gun mounts, six .25mm chain guns
Aircraft: Up to 35 Helicopters

The second Saipan (LHA-2) is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. She was laid down on 21 July 1972 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched on 20 July 1974; sponsored by Mrs. J. William Middendorf II, wife of Secretary of the Navy Middendorf.

Saipan’s operational career began in July of 1979 when she was diverted from Fleet Refresher Training to Special Contingency Operations for possible non-combatant evacuation of American personnel from Nicaragua during that country’s civil war.

In May of 1980, Saipan was underway to augment U.S. Coast Guard efforts to assist Cuban refugees crossing the Straits of Florida to the United States. On August 25, 1980, Saipan departed Norfolk for the first Mediterranean deployment by an LHA.

On September 3, 1981, Saipan deployed for her second tour in the Mediterranean Sea. During that deployment, Saipan visited or operated in seven different countries on three continents.

From August of 1982 through July of 1983, Saipan was in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her first scheduled complex overhaul. In September 1983, while undergoing Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Saipan was diverted to participate in Operation Urgent Fury off Grenada.

In January of 1985, Saipan departed for her third Mediterranean deployment. She steamed more than 32,000 miles, logged over 6,700 safe aircraft landings and visited ports in three countries.

Following a four-month restricted availability in Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Saipan sailed to Guantanamo Bay to complete various training evolutions.

From March of 1990 through September of 1990, Saipan was deployed to the Mediterranean and conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations, evacuating 1,600 civilians from war-torn Liberia in support of Operation Sharp Edge.

From September of 1991 to March of 1992, Saipan deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Saipan again deployed to the Mediterranean in March of 1993 in support of Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise. The ship returned in September of 1993 and began her third scheduled complex overhaul in April of 1994.

In June of 1996, Saipan deployed to the Mediterranean and participated in Operation Decisive Endeavor and various multi-national training exercises. She returned to Norfolk in December 1996.

Saipan departed on her seventh deployment to the Mediterranean in July 1998. The ship spent substantial operating time in the Adriatic Sea due to turmoil in Albania.

Missing image
USS_Saipan_LHA-2_well_deck_M1A1_LCU.jpg
Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tank enters LHA-2 well deck from Landing Craft Unit (March 31, 2004)

In 1999, Saipan became the developmental and operational test platform for the V-22 Osprey aircraft.

In July of 2000, Saipan began her eighth Mediterranean deployment. The ship commenced Adriatic presence operations during the Fall of 2000 federal elections in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

On February 12, 2001 Saipan entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its fourth scheduled complex overhaul.


See USS Saipan for other ships of this name.

External links


This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.


Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship
Tarawa | Saipan | Belleau Wood | Nassau | Peleliu

List of amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy

de:USS Saipan (LHA-2) no:USS Saipan (LHA-2)

Navigation

  • Art and Cultures
    • Art (https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Art)
    • Architecture (https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Architecture)
    • Cultures (https://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Cultures)
    • Music (https://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Music)
    • Musical Instruments (http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/List_of_musical_instruments)
  • Biographies (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Biographies)
  • Clipart (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Clipart)
  • Geography (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Geography)
    • Countries of the World (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Countries)
    • Maps (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Maps)
    • Flags (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Flags)
    • Continents (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Continents)
  • History (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/History)
    • Ancient Civilizations (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Ancient_Civilizations)
    • Industrial Revolution (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Industrial_Revolution)
    • Middle Ages (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Middle_Ages)
    • Prehistory (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Prehistory)
    • Renaissance (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Renaissance)
    • Timelines (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Timelines)
    • United States (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/United_States)
    • Wars (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Wars)
    • World History (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/History_of_the_world)
  • Human Body (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Human_Body)
  • Mathematics (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Mathematics)
  • Reference (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Reference)
  • Science (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Science)
    • Animals (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Animals)
    • Aviation (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Aviation)
    • Dinosaurs (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Dinosaurs)
    • Earth (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Earth)
    • Inventions (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Inventions)
    • Physical Science (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Physical_Science)
    • Plants (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Plants)
    • Scientists (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Scientists)
  • Social Studies (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Social_Studies)
    • Anthropology (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Anthropology)
    • Economics (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Economics)
    • Government (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Government)
    • Religion (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Religion)
    • Holidays (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Holidays)
  • Space and Astronomy
    • Solar System (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Solar_System)
    • Planets (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Planets)
  • Sports (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Sports)
  • Timelines (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Timelines)
  • Weather (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Weather)
  • US States (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/US_States)

Information

  • Home Page (http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php)
  • Contact Us (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Contactus)

  • Clip Art (http://classroomclipart.com)
Toolbox
Personal tools