Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

USS Tarawa (LHA-1)

1976 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History of USS Tarawa (LHA-1)

The USS Tarawa is an amphibious assault ship whose mission is to support amphibious operations in the United States Navy and its branches of the Navy. She was the lead ship of the Tarawa class, which included Saipan, Bellowwood, Nassau, and Berrieu.

She is classified as a "universal" assault ship, although - in fact - she is a "multi-role" amphibious assault ship - capable of incorporating naval, air and land elements and systems, weapons, storage capabilities and its aircraft support arm.

The shape of USS Tarawa is dominated by her starboard twin-masted superstructure. The flight deck occupies a large portion of the ground and can be deployed with various naval helicopters (up to 35 different makes and types) and AV-8B Harrier II VSTOL fighter jets (up to 8) with jump jets.

To support amphibious assaults, USS Tarawa has access to her 4 x 25mm Bushmaster cannons. 2 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS (Close Weapon System), 2 x Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers (homing surface-to-air capability) and 5 x 12.7mm (0.50 caliber) complemented in defensive roles) M2HB heavy anti-aircraft machine gun .

The aircraft carrier USS Tarawa was first actively deployed in service in 1979 to assist in search and rescue operations in the South China Sea and was later called upon to support United Nations operations in and around Beirut, Lebanon. She became active in Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and provided humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh the following year.

The aircraft carrier USS Tarawa was part of enforcing a no-fly zone in southern Iraq and providing security in the Gulf following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole. Since then, she has served in several other deployments, including in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as other global radio stations.

USS Tarawa was ordered in 1969 and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in 1971. She was launched in 1973 and commissioned in 1976. The ship was named in honor of Tarawa Atoll, the landing site of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. At this time, USS Tarawa was serving in the United States Navy. She operates under the motto "Sea Eagle" and is affectionately known as "The Big T."