WASHINGTON — The USS New Orleans (LPD 18) caught fire Wednesday off the coast of Okinawa, according to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.
The fire began at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday, local time. It was declared extinguished at 4 a.m. Thursday, a U.S. Navy spokesperson said.
Two sailors were treated for minor injuries in the USS New Orleans medical unit. The New Orleans crew, which usually numbers about 360 members, will remain aboard the ship.
Firefighting efforts by sailors on the ship were supported by the crew of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), according to the Navy. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force; Japan Coast Guard; and U.S. Navy commands from across Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa also provided critical support to the efforts.
Japanese television news stations showed images of tugboats using water cannons to subdue the fire. NHK broadcast images of the incident off the coast of Naval Facility White Beach, Okinawa.
The USS New Orleans, a San Antonio-class transport dock ship, is part of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s amphibious ready group and can transport about 700 troops. It is working out of a base in Sasebo, Japan, and operates with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
No Marines were aboard at the time of the fire, according to the Military Times, an independent news organization that focuses on the military. USS New Orleans’ current mission involves enhancing interoperability and serving as a ready response force, according to the Military Times.
The ship was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems of New Orleans and was christened in November 2004.
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AloJapan.com