USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)

History of USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is one of eight completed Wasp-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships for the United States Navy (USN). These warships are designed to support major and minor military attacks and bring vital elements ashore from ships - infantry (Marines), machinery (tanks, armored vehicles, logistics trucks) and supplies (aid, ammunition, food).

In large-scale military operations, amphibious operations remain bold, highly dangerous exercises that require near-perfect planning by attacking forces.

The USS Kearsarge is the third ship in the Wasp class and is named after an 1861 Civil War-era steam/sail sloop - several ships in US Navy history have been named after this. The modern version was laid by Ingalls Shipbuilding on 6 February 1990 and launched at sea for testing on 26 March 1992. The ship was named in May of the same year, officially commissioned on October 16, 1993, and remains active in the U.S. Navy fleet???.

Her home port is Norfolk, Virginia along the US East Coast (with full access to the Atlantic Ocean and all its associated institutions), and she fights under the motto "Pride - Trust - Bold".

Displacement reaches 41,100 tons under full load, dimensions include 844 feet overall length, 106 feet beam and 27 feet draft. Power comes from 2 boiler units that power 2 geared steam turbines producing 70,000 hp and drive 2 shafts. The top speed in ideal conditions is 24 knots.

The crew consists of 104 officers and is supported by more than 1,000 soldiers. The ship is certified to carry up to 1,900 ready Navy or Army units, 22 Bell V-22 Osprey tiltrotors, 6 AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft and 6 Sikorsky SH-60 "Seahawk." (or equivalent medium lift) Navy/Navy/Coast Guard helicopter. Three LCAC padded amphibious landing craft form part of the force for landing vehicles, personnel and supplies.

Apart from its obvious In addition to its military value, this vessel can also serve admirably in humanitarian/disaster relief. The well deck is 13,600 sq. ft. with a monorail for fast handling of cargo.

The warship is equipped with a proper command and control system, Also serves as the flagship of the fleet when needed.

Installed weapons are primarily defensive and include 2 Sea Sparrow medium-range surface-to-air missile launchers, 2 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers, 3 20mm Phalanx close-in weapons System (CIWS). ) and up to 8 x 12.7mm heavy Browning machine guns. Their primary defense comes from Navy-provided escorts and Combat Air Patrols (CAPs).

USS Kearsarge entered service in 1993 and has been involved in many notable operations around the world. She conducted civilian evacuations in Sierra Leone in 1997, participated in Allied Marine operations during the Yugoslav war in the 1990s, and starred in Operation Light of Hope, which helped Albanian refugees. In 2005 she was unsuccessfully attacked by militants while anchored in Jordanian waters, and in 2008 she took part in a joint humanitarian voyage to Central and South America. In 2011, they deployed Harriers out of anger when warships delivered humanitarian aid to civilians during the 2011 Libyan civil war.

One of their last major operations was a search and rescue (SAR) operation against a capsized vessel near Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria.

As previously mentioned, USS Kearsarge continues to actively serve in USN inventory.

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