Everything You Need to Know About USS Kearsarge LHD 3

The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship that's been serving the US Navy since 1993. This versatile vessel is equipped to transport troops, aircraft, and equipment.

The Kearsarge measures 844 feet in length and has a beam of 106 feet, making it a significant presence on the high seas. Its displacement is approximately 40,500 tons.

Commissioned on June 2, 1993, the USS Kearsarge has undergone several upgrades and modernizations over the years to ensure it remains a formidable force in the military.

The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.

It has a length of 844 feet and a beam of 106 feet.

Its crew consists of 1,150 personnel, including officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians.

The construction of the Kearsarge was a remarkable process. It began with the laying of its keel on 6 February 1990 at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Ingalls used efficient pre-outfitting and modular construction techniques to build the ship. This approach allowed for hundreds of smaller sub-assemblies to be constructed, containing piping, ventilation ducting, and other hardware.

These sub-assemblies were then joined together to form assemblies, which were welded to form five completed hull and superstructure modules. Each of these modules weighed thousands of tons.

The modules were joined together on land to form the completed ship's hull. This early outfitting resulted in a ship that was over 70 percent complete at launch.

The Kearsarge was launched on 26 March 1992, in a ceremony attended by then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell.

The Kearsarge's assault support system is a marvel of modern technology, allowing for the coordinated movement of troops, cargo, and vehicles throughout the ship. It's impressive to think about the complexity of this system, but it's even more remarkable when you consider the speed at which it operates, reaching up to 600 ft/min (3 m/s).

The Monorail system is a key component of this assault support system, transporting cargo and supplies from storage and staging areas to a massive 13,600-square-foot (1,260 m) well deck. This well deck is a game-changer, allowing for the easy loading of cargo, troops, and vehicles onto landing craft for transit to the beach.

The Kearsarge's armament suite is also worth noting, featuring a range of defensive systems to protect the ship from air and sea threats. The NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow point defense system is a notable addition, providing anti-aircraft support to keep the ship safe.

The ship's ability to lift helicopters from the hangar deck to the flight deck using deck-edge elevators is a testament to its advanced design. This allows for quick and efficient loading of supplies from massive cargo elevators, giving the Kearsarge a significant advantage on the battlefield.

The USS Kearsarge is a highly versatile amphibious assault ship that can perform a wide range of military operations.

The ship's assault support system coordinates the movement of troops, cargo, and vehicles, allowing for efficient deployment to the beach. This system includes a Monorail that transports cargo and supplies at speeds of up to 600 ft/min.

The Kearsarge has a 13,600-square-foot well deck that can be flooded or opened to the sea, allowing for the launch of landing craft and helicopters. This flexibility is crucial for amphibious operations.

The ship's armament suite includes the NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow point defense system, which provides anti-aircraft support. This system is designed to counter threats from low-flying aircraft and small craft.

The Kearsarge also has RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles, 25-mm chain guns, and the Phalanx close-in weapon system to augment its anti-ship missile defenses.

The Ship Name and Designation History Revised section is a treasure trove of information that can help you understand a ship's past. This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime.

The list is in chronological order, so you can easily see how the ship's name and designation changed over time.

The shield and crest of the USS Kearsarge are a symbol of its rich history and proud heritage. The colors blue and gold are a nod to the Navy's tradition, representing the sea and excellence.

The green chevron on the shield is a reference to Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire, a fitting tribute to the ship's namesake. The amphibious nature of the ship's operations is represented by the combination of green and blue, signifying land and sea.

The arrowheads and white chevronel on the shield allude to assault landings, a key aspect of the ship's mission. The stars on the shield commemorate the battle stars the third Kearsarge received for its service in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

The wings on the crest symbolize the ship's aviation capabilities, with gold representing honor and achievement. The white anchor on the crest recalls the second Kearsarge's round-the-world cruise in 1907, a testament to the ship's naval prowess.

The blue-and-gray wavy bar on the crest highlights the first USS Kearsarge's Civil War service, a significant milestone in the ship's history. The crossed swords on the crest represent cooperation and teamwork between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1994, with its first commanding officer being CAPT. Montgomery, David James, USN. He served from October 1993 to January 1995.

The ship's maiden med deployment was a significant event in its history, and it's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the crew. The USS Kearsarge has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years to maintain its capabilities and stay ahead of the curve.

Here's a list of the ship's commanding officers and their service dates: