USS Saipan (LHA-2)

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Career	Image:Naval Jack of the United States.svg
Image:Uss saipan lha 2.jpg
Ordered:
Laid down:	21 July 1972
Launched:	20 July 1974
Commissioned:	15 October 1977
Decommissioned:
Fate:	Template:Ship fate box active in service
Homeport:	Norfolk, Virginia
Struck:
General Characteristics
Displacement:	27,165 tons (24,643.6 t)
Length:	820 ft (249.9 m)
Beam:	106 ft (32.3 m)
Draft:	28 ft (8.5 m)
Propulsion:	Steam Turbine
Speed:	20+ kts (37+ km/h)
Complement:	Crew: 65 officers, 1,009 enlisted Troop: 125 officers, 1,730 enlisted
Armament:	SWY-2 Ship Self-Defense System with two RAM GMLS, two Phalanx Close-in-Weapons Systems, three .50 caliber gun mounts, six .25mm chain guns
Aircraft:	Up to 35 Helicopters and 8 AV8-B Harrier VSTAL Aircraft
Motto:	Omnia Facimus (We do it all)

USS Saipan (LHA-2) is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship, the second United States Navy ship named in honor of the World War II Battle of Saipan.

Saipan was laid down on 21 July 1972 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched on 20 July 1974; sponsored by Mrs. J. William Middendorf II, wife of Secretary of the Navy Middendorf.

Saipan’s operational career began in July of 1979 when she was diverted from Fleet Refresher Training to Special Contingency Operations for possible non-combatant evacuation of American personnel from Nicaragua during that country’s civil war.

In May of 1980, Saipan was underway to augment U.S. Coast Guard efforts to assist Cuban refugees crossing the Straits of Florida to the United States. On August 25, 1980, Saipan departed Norfolk for the first Mediterranean deployment by an LHA.

On September 3, 1981, Saipan deployed for her second tour in the Mediterranean Sea. During that deployment, Saipan visited or operated in seven different countries on three continents.

From August of 1982 through July of 1983, Saipan was in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her first scheduled complex overhaul. In September 1983, while undergoing Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Saipan was diverted to participate in Operation Urgent Fury off Grenada.

In January of 1985, Saipan departed for her third Mediterranean deployment. She steamed more than 32,000 miles (60,000 km), logged over 6,700 safe aircraft landings and visited ports in three countries.

Following a four-month restricted availability in Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Saipan sailed to Guantanamo Bay to complete various training evolutions.

From March of 1990 through September of 1990, Saipan was deployed to the Mediterranean and conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations, evacuating 1,600 civilians from war-torn Liberia in support of Operation Sharp Edge.

From September of 1991 to March of 1992, Saipan deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Saipan again deployed to the Mediterranean in March of 1993 in support of Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise. The ship returned in September of 1993 and began her third scheduled complex overhaul in April of 1994.

In June of 1996, Saipan deployed to the Mediterranean and participated in Operation Decisive Endeavor and various multi-national training exercises. She returned to Norfolk in December 1996.

Saipan departed on her seventh deployment to the Mediterranean in July 1998. The ship spent substantial operating time in the Adriatic Sea due to turmoil in Albania.

Image:USS Saipan LHA-2 well deck M1A1 LCU.jpg

In 1999, Saipan became the developmental and operational test platform for the V-22 Osprey aircraft.

In July of 2000, Saipan began her eighth Mediterranean deployment. The ship commenced Adriatic presence operations during the Fall of 2000 federal elections in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

On February 12, 2001 Saipan entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its fourth scheduled complex overhaul.

On January 10, 2002 Saipan was deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terrorism.

During the week of June 26, 2005 Saipan was one of two American military vessels (the other being the USCGC Eagle) to participate in the Royal Navy International Fleet Review in the waters off of Portsmouth, England. This review, conducted by Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family, consisted of a parade of more than 166 ships from around the world. This event also coincided with the 2005 International Festival of the Sea and Trafalgar 200 celebration.

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USS Saipan in fiction

USS Saipan is featured in the Tom Clancy novel Red Storm Rising (1986). While transporting 2,500 Marines as part of an Atlantic convoy she is struck by several Soviet AS-6 Kingfish missiles and is destroyed.

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