The America-class amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli leaves San Diego Bay on May 19. (Photo by Sara L. Eshleman/U.S. Navy)
The Navy’s two newest amphibious assault ships, the USS America and USS Tripoli, are swapping home ports between San Diego and Japan.
The Navy announced this month that the Tripoli has departed Naval Base San Diego to forward deploy to Sasebo, Japan, as part of a scheduled rotation of forces in the Pacific.
The America is currently operating in the Solomon Sea northeast of Australia and will return to San Diego — its first home port — after the current deployment.
The two “big deck amphibs” are essentially small aircraft carriers, carrying over 30 helicopters, V-22 tiltrotors and F-35B stealth jets, as well as over 1,500 Marines.
“The Tripoli is ready to defend U.S. interests abroad and strengthen our long-standing partnership with Japan,” said Capt. Eddie Park, commanding officer of the Tripoli. “I am extremely proud to lead this hard-working and motivated team of sailors and Marines overseas to support security, stability and prosperity in this vital region.”
San Diego has been the Tripoli’s home port since its commissioning in 2020. The warship supported multiple exercises including Valiant Shield, Iron Storm, Kamandag, Steel Knight, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Patrol 22.2.
“This crew has been diligently preparing to forward deploy since last year,” said Park. “I am fully confident in the crew’s abilities to execute any mission assigned to us.”
The Tripoli is the second America-class amphibious assault ship, Its name honors the Marine victory at the Battle of Derna during the First Barbary War in 1805.
A third America-class ship, the future USS Bougainville is, set to be commissioned this year.
AloJapan.com