The Austin-Class amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) was decommissioned by the Navy, June 30 at Naval Base San Diego. Retired Navy Capt. Howard J. Ursettie, the first commanding officer of Dubuque, spoke at the ceremony about his time on Dubuque. "The Dubuque was my last sea command and my favorite command," said Ursettie. "At that time she was new and state of the art. In the four decades that the ship has been in active service, thousands of Sailors have served onboard Dubuque.