John P. Murtha (LPD 26) Delivered to US Navy

 

Built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, LPD 26 is the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock built by HII for the U.S. Navy.

 

“This is the 10th San Antonio-class ship we've delivered, and our Sailors and Marine Corps will be receiving another highly capable platform in John P. Murtha,” said Capt. Darren Plath, LPD 17 class program manager. “This ship has performed exceedingly well to date, which is a testament to our Navy and industry team and the production efficiencies realized on this class.”

 

The principal mission of LPD 17 class amphibious transport dock ships is to transport and deploy the necessary combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ship will carry 699 troops – with a surge capacity to 800 – and have the capability to transport and debark air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (MV-22). These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century. 

 

The ship is named in honor of the late John P. Murtha, who represented Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District from 1974 to 2010. In addition to his tenured history in the House of Representatives, Murtha was also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He served for 37 years and received the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service in the Vietnam War. He retired as a colonel in 1990.

 

“Today we delivered our 10th LPD, and we have at least two more ships to complete in this class,” said Richard Schenk, Ingalls’ vice president, program management, who signed the official DD 250 document. “John P. Murtha is the culmination of four years of tireless efforts on the part of thousands of our shipyard employees and our Navy partner. I couldn’t be more proud of all of those involved, and they are showing that serial production pays dividends when it comes to providing affordable ships to our nation.”

 

“To the incredibly talented, dedicated and resourceful shipbuilders who built this ship from raw steel and cable into this awe-inspiring warship, please accept my personal thanks on behalf of the crew, U.S. Navy and the American people,” said Capt. Kevin Parker, the ship’s commanding officer. “You have fully reinforced the sincere belief that I have held for many years that the best shipbuilders in the world are found right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As we take this ship to sea, we will do our very best to make you proud and put this ship to good use in defense of our nation.”

 

The signing of the DD 250 document officially transfers custody of the ship from HII to the U.S. Navy. Following crew move aboard and certification, the ship will transit to Philadelphia for commissioning, planned for fall 2016. Upon commissioning the ship will transit to her homeport of San Diego. 

 

In addition to John P. Murtha, Ingalls has the 11th LPD, Portland (LPD 27), under construction. Portland launched on February 13 and will be christened on May 21. In December 2015 Ingalls received more than $300 million in advance procurement funding for the 12th ship in the class, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).

 

The San Antonio class is the latest addition to the Navy’s 21st century amphibious assault force. The 684-foot-long, 105-foot-wide ships are used to embark and land Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey. The ships support a Marine Air Ground Task Force across the spectrum of operations, conducting amphibious and expeditionary missions of sea control and power projection to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the first half of the 21st century.