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Amphibious Transport Dock
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LPD 6
- USS Duluth
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Type,
Class:
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Amphibious
Transport Dock (LPD); Austin - class; |
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Builder:
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New York Naval
Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York, USA |
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STATUS:
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Awarded: September 21, 1961 Laid down: December 18, 1963 Launched: August 14, 1965 Commissioned: December 18,
1965 Decommissioned: September 28,
2005 at Naval Station San Diego,
California Fate: laid up at NAVSEA Inactive Ships
On-site Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii retained as logistics support asset |
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Homeport:
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- |
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Namesake:
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named after and in honor of the City of
Duluth, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, USA |
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Ship's
Motto:
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FORTITER IN RE ‘bold in action’ |
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Technical Data:
(Measures, Propulsion, Armament, Aviation, etc.)
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see:
INFO >> Amphibious
Transport Dock / Austin - class |
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ship
images
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San Diego, California - July 2005
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - May 2005
Persian Gulf - February 2005
Indian Ocean - January 2005
San Diego - February 2004
San Diego - July 2003
San Diego - January 2003
San Diego - January 2003
San Diego Bay - March 2001
Pacific Ocean - September 2000
Pacific Ocean - September 2000
Pacific Ocean - September 2000
Pacific Ocean - September 2000
Pacific Ocean - September 2000
Pacific Ocean - September 2000
San Diego, California - October 1996
exercise MARCOT 93 - Pacific Ocean -
April 1993
exercise MARCOT 93 - Pacific Ocean -
April 1993
a MH-53E Sea Dragon (HM-15) lands on USS
Duluth during exercise MARCOT 93 - Pacific Ocean - April 1993
underway - August 1986
underway - August 1986
underway - August 1986
“peace in the Pacific celebration” - San
Francisco Bay - August 1985
February 1982
LCU-1665 departs the well deck of USS
Duluth during exercise TEAM SPIRIT 82 - January 1982
underway - June 1977
underway - June 1977 |
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History: |
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USS Duluth
(LPD 6): Named for: The city of Duluth, Minnesota,
which itself bore the name of Sir Daniel Greysolon De Lhut (Duluth)
(1636-1710), the explorer who raised the French flag at the westernmost point
of Lake Superior in 1679. LPD ships were named for cities that were named for
“explorers and developers of America.” The red and blue shield symbolizes the
Navy/Marine Corps team of which Duluth (LPD-6) was a part; the single large
star overhead represents the North Star, the symbol of the state of
Minnesota; the five-starred diagonal band replicates the center of the center
of the Great Seal of the city of Duluth, Minnesota; the large Arabic “Six” is
the hull number of the ship. The motto “Fortiter in Re” is a Latin expression
translated as “Bold in Action.” Commissioned [Special]. The “special”
designation reflected the amount of uncompleted work that restricted the
operational capabilities of the ship. Transit to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to
complete fitting-out due to impending closure of New York Naval Shipyard in
July 1966. Commissioned at the Philadelphia Naval
Shipyard, Capt. Mark G. Tremaine in command, and sailed for Norfolk, arriving
there the following day. A Sikorsky H-34 from HC-4 made the first
helicopter landing on board. Following four weeks of shakedown training in
the Virginia Capes Operation Areas, Duluth sailed for her homeport at San
Diego. She transited the Panama Canal on 11 July and arrived in San Diego on
20 July 66. Duluth underwent refresher training and
completed final acceptance trials before Commander Amphibious Squadron Nine
broke his pennant in the ship on 16 September. Post-shakedown repair availability, Long
Beach Naval Shipyard. Carried out shore bombardment exercises, boat
operations and refresher training through February before conducting
amphibious Exercises Silverpoint IV and Silverpoint V off Camp Pendleton in
late March, all in preparation for her first Western Pacific (WestPac)
deployment. First landing of a USMC CH-53A took place on 13 March 1967. Departed San Diego on 10 April and sailed to
Danang, Republic of Vietnam, arriving there on 28 May after stops at Pearl
Harbor; Pago Pago, American Samoa; Fremantle, Australia and Subic Bay,
Philippines. Operated with Amphibious Ready Group, Seventh
Fleet, in South China Sea. Conducted amphibious landing operations Bear Claw
and Beacon Guide at Hue (7 June), Chu Lai (12 June), Cue Viet (3, 27 July),
and Phu Loc (21 July). Took part in Operations Beacon Gate at Song Cua Dai
and Chu Lai (7-16 August) and Beacon Point off Thua Thien province. The LPD
then steamed off Quang Nam and Quang Tin provinces during Operation Ballistic
Charge (16-28 September). After refitting at Subic Bay, Duluth participated
in helicopter-centered Operation Bastion Hill near Cua Viet (10 October – 1
November). Following vehicle ferry operations from Subic early in the month,
the LPD steamed to Hong Kong, arriving there 17 November. Departed Hong Kong 22 November and, after
stops at Okinawa and Yokosuka, Japan, and Pearl Harbor, Duluth arrived home
in San Diego on 15 December. Post-deployment stand down and inspections
interspersed with Exercise HeliEx 2-68 (25-28 March) off Camp Pendleton that
included the coordinated lift of 122 Marines in 23 UH-34 and CH-53
helicopters from ship to shore and Exercise Beagle Leash (23 April – 1 May)
at San Clemente that involved the landings of 325 marines in LVTs and LCM-6
landing craft. Restricted availability, National Steel and
Shipbuilding Co., San Diego. Refresher training and inspections in
preparation for deployment. Departed San Diego 2 November and sailed
west, relieving Dubuque (LPD-8) as unit of Amphibious Ready Group off Vietnam
on the 23d. Conducted Operation Tight Jaw (15-17
December) to repatriate seven North Vietnamese prisoners off Vinh, Operation
Valiant Hunt (18 December 1968 – 5 January 1969), a cordon-and-search mission
in Quang Nam Province and Operation Bold Mariner (13-25 January), an
amphibious and helicopter assault on the Batangan peninsula. Elements of
Battalion Landing Team 2/26 deployed ashore in eleven LVTs and in 226
helicopter sorties by HMM-362. Five-day Port visit to Hong Kong starting 27
January and replenishment and maintenance at Subic Bay. Duluth returned to Danang Harbor on 13
February, backloaded BLT 2/26 and steamed off the coast for the rest of the
month. The LPD then conducted Operation Eager Pursuit I and Operation Eager
Pursuit II (1-26 March), two search, clear and destroy missions in Quang Nam
province. port visit to Keelung, Taiwan, and upkeep at
Subic Bay. Returned to Danang and participated in
Operation Eager Pursuit III (16-26 April). Following a two-company size
practice amphibious landing near Danang, Duluth participated in Operation
Daring Rebel (5-25 May), a mainly amphibious assault on Barrier Island,
23-miles south of Danang. After backloading units of BLT 1/26, Duluth then helped
launch Operation Gallant Leader (23-25 May), a helicopter and surface craft
landing off Marble Mountain near Danang. Duluth steamed to Subic Bay on 26 May and was
relieved of TG 76.4 duties by Cleveland (LPD-7) on the 31st. Underway for
Okinawa on 1 June, the ship stopped in Buckner Bay to unload supplies before
proceeding to Yokosuka, arriving there on 7 June. Following a short port
visit, Duluth sailed for home on the 13th, reaching San Diego on 26 June. After a month of preparation, Duluth entered
the Long Beach Naval Shipyard for overhaul on 5 August. Work on the ship
continued until 14 November and included repairs and alterations to the well
deck tanks and improvements to the flight deck. Inspections and refresher training out of San
Diego. Underway for a WestPac cruise on 1 May,
Duluth loaded BLT 1/9 at Okinawa for transfer to Subic Bay at the end of the
month. She then made several cargo lifts to Danang or to Yankee Station,
delivering an H-3 helicopter to America (CVA-66), spare parts, and carried
YFU-52 back to Subic Bay before steaming to Sasebo, Japan, for rest and
recreation 3-15 July. Returning to Subic on the 19th, she spent the next
three months conducting amphibious training and logistics operations from
Subic to Danang and Vung Tau. In mid-October, Duluth embarked 140 Philippine
marines for a joint exercise near Manila, but disaster recovery efforts in
the wake of Typhoon Joan forced a cancellation of the operation. Arriving in
Lagoney Gulf on 22 October, Duluth operated as a fuel stop and ready deck
ship for helicopters during three days of relief operations in a swath of
devastated barrios and villages 80 by 20 miles wide and including the cities
of Virac and Naga. Following another month of logistics support out of Subic
Bay, Duluth steamed for home, reaching San Diego on 10 December. Following three months of upkeep and local
operations, Duluth deployed on 3 March for Operation Keystone Robin, a six-week
deployment to deliver palletized cargo and humanitarian materials to Hong
Kong and Subic Bay. A YD floating crane operator’s refusal to unload a PTF
strapped to the LPD’s flight deck owing to wind and sea conditions delayed
the mission at Danang. The next day the YD operator, in the words of the
ships’ historian, again “refused to off-load the boat in the almost calm
seas.” Instead, Duluth shifted to Pier 2 where the boat was lifted off.
Duluth then steamed to Hong Kong for a few days of liberty, 25-30 March.
Returning to Danang, she loaded 180 vehicles for transfer home and departed
on 1 April, setting course for San Diego, arriving there on 17 April. While
in transit, however, Duluth sighted a drifting fishing net buoy that
constituted a hazard to navigation. According to the ships’ command history,
after “many rounds were fired by numerous personnel [of the rifle team
assembled for the purpose], the buoy finally sank more from fright than
damage. Some say that the Chaplain fired the fatal shot, but others contend
that a Divine Providence extended mercy to the old buoy and let it sink of
it’s own volition.” Departing San Diego on 10 June for a summer
Midshipman Cruise, Duluth visited Auckland, New Zealand (25-30 June) and
Sydney, Australia (6-12 July) before putting in to Pearl Harbor on 24 July.
Duluth then transported the U.S. Naval Academy yacht Duello from Hawaii back
to San Diego, arriving there on 2 August. After a restricted availability to repair a
damaged rotor blade in her port turbine, Duluth sailed for another WestPac
deployment on 1 October. The ship loaded elements of BLT 2/4 at Okinawa on 18
October before resuming Danang logistics support operations out of Subic Bay.
The LPD delivered vehicles, equipment and humanitarian supplies to Danang and
embarked deck cargo and damaged PTFs for return to Subic. The LPD remained
there until through the winter, conducting the occasional amphibious exercise
in the Philippines and transporting troops and supplies between Subic Bay and
Buckner Bay. On 1 April, following the outbreak of the North Vietnamese
“Easter Offensive,” Duluth sailed to a holding station off South Vietnam to
await developments. With the North Vietnamese offensive blunted by the end of
the month, the LPD steamed to Subic Bay for rest and relaxation, 8-21 May.
Returning to Vietnam, Duluth embarked 300 South Vietnamese marines at Tan My
and landed them at Quang Tri on the 24th, during which operation Duluth took
desultory enemy fire from a shore battery. The LPD conducted a similar
mission in early July, when Marine helicopters deployed South Vietnamese
marines during Operation Lam-Son 72, before sailing for home on 14 July and
arriving in San Diego on 4 August. Overhaul at National Steel and Shipbuilding
Co., San Diego. During interim refresher training, the
civilian yacht Zarpor Dos lost engine power and collided with Duluth,
injuring a civilian. After disengaging the yacht’s mast from the LPD’s port
catwalk, the stricken boat was towed to NAS North Island. Duluth got underway for another WestPac tour
on 4 June, joining TG 76.4 for operations in an around the Philippines. In
August, Duluth sailed to the Gulf of Thailand for Operation Eagle Pull, and
the withdrawal of the last American combat forces from Southeast Asia.
Following a joint U.S.-Philippines exercise called Operation Pagasa II in
late September, Duluth steamed to Triton Island in the Paracels to assist in
the salvage of USNS Sgt. Jack J. Pendleton (T-AK-276), where she served as a
command center, equipment transfer point and berthing area. Following visits
to Hong Kong and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the ship sailed for San Diego, arriving
there on 3 January 1974. Refresher training, readiness inspections and
local operations out of San Diego. Overhaul, Long Beach Naval Shipyard. On 28 March, Duluth got underway for a
WestPac deployment via Pearl Harbor, Okinawa and Subic Bay. Arriving off Vung
Tau on 21 April, Duluth participated in the evacuation of almost 9,000 people
from Saigon; 1,373 Americans and 6,422 of other nationalities, mostly South
Vietnamese. On 29 April, fourteen landings by South Vietnamese, Marine and
Air America helicopters deliver over 900 refugees to Duluth alone, including
the Italian ambassador. The refugees were later transferred to USNS Sgt.
Truman Kimbro (T-AK-254). The following day another 1,391 refugees arrived,
forcing Duluth’s crew to jettison three RVN helicopters over the side to make
room for the arriving H-53 helicopters. The ship then steamed to Subic Bay
and disembarked the refugees on 5 May. Over the next four days, working
parties of volunteers reported to Grande Island to assist and process
refugees. The LPD remained at Subic through the end of the month for cleaning
ship. Duluth operated with 7th Fleet units out of
Subic Bay for the next four months, conducting landing exercises, carrying
cargo between Okinawa and the Philippines, cruising in the Tawan Straits and,
in August, participating in a joint U.S.-Thai ASW training exercise. The LPD
returned to San Diego on 16 November. Intensive preparations for major overhaul
while at NAS North Island and alongside Samuel Gompers (AD-37). Overhaul at National Steel and Shipbuilding
Co., San Diego. During overhaul, the entire exterior of the ship was sand
blasted, primed and painted and the ship received new zincs, sea valves,
rudders and screws. After returning to San Diego on 4 June, the
ship’s crew spent the next three months conducting refresher training,
inspections and readiness evaluations. Underway on 13 September for her first
WestPac deployment in almost two years, Duluth steamed to Okinawa with BLT
2/3 embarked. Once there, the LPD conducted amphibious training operations
out of Subic Bay in the Philippines area through the end of the year. Over
the winter, Duluth conducted mine warfare exercises with Philippine, South
Korean and Japanese Self-Defense Fleet detachments before returning home to
San Diego on 27 April 1978. Local operations included type training,
amphibious exercises, training of Iranian Navy midshipmen and helicopter
landing qualifications. In the spring, the LPD sailed north to Vancouver,
British Columbia, for a port visit on 13 April. Following a successful
in-service inspection in May, the LPD got underway for a long WestPac
deployment on 23 July. Duluth operated primarily out of Subic Bay,
though in October the LPD sails to Australia for Exercise Kangaroo III in
Shoalwater Bay. Visit to Sydney (1-8 Nov). While en route back to Subic Bay,
Duluth swung east for stops in New Caledonia and Fiji. Returned to San Diego
on 14 February. Regular Overhaul begun at Todd Pacific
Shipyard, San Pedro. On 28 July, the International Marine Shipbuilders Union
goes on strike and all work on the ship stops until the strike settled on 2
October. After six-months of local operations and
amphibious exercises out of San Diego, Duluth deployed on 12 November as part
of Amphibious Squadron One, with HMM-265 embarked. The Squadron visited
Singapore in early January, made a stop at Diego Garcia mid-month and swing
south to Perth Australia on the 28th. In February and March the Squadron
conducted operations off Okinawa and South Korea, before sailing for home,
with the LPD arriving in San Diego on 15 May. Underway 4 May for WestPac deployment with
HMM-165 and BLT 3/3 embarked. While en route to Subic Bay, Duluth conducted
AV-8A Harrier training. In July, the amphibious ship participated in Exercise
Cobra Gold in Thailand, followed by a cruise in the Indian Ocean in August
that ended with port visits to Berbera, Somalia and Mombassa, Kenya. In
September the ship sailed north, passing through the Suez Canal on the 11th,
and joined the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force off Lebanon for a month of
operations. Passing back south through the Suez Canal on 11 October, the LPD
sailed for home, arriving in San Diego on 22 November after stops in Subic
Bay and Pearl Harbor. Restricted Availability at NAS San Diego. Following three months of refresher training,
Duluth got underway 27 June for a cruise to Alaska and Washington. Returning
to San Diego on 13 July, the LPD participated in Exercise Kernal Usher 84-2
in August before getting underway on 18 October for WestPac ’84 out of Pearl
Harbor. Sailing on to Numazu, Japan, on 6 November, Duluth operated around
Japan until the end of December when she sailed for Thailand. Following a
five-day visit to Phattaya Beach in early January, the ship conducted
Exercises Landex in the Philippines, Valiant Usher 85-2 at Okinawa and Team
Spirit 85 in Korea before sailing for home, arriving in San Diego on 26
April. Restricted overhaul at Northwest Marine Iron
Works, Swan Island, Portland, Oregon. Inspections, refresher training and
pre-deployment preparations. Duluth deployed with Amphibious Ready Group
Alpha on 18 June, sailing to Okinawa and then on to Subic Bay for exercises.
During a group sail to the Gulf of Thailand, Soviet Bear and Badger aircraft
shadowed the ships. Later in the month the LPD participated in Valiant Usher
87-3 off western Australia, before conducting Exercise Valiant Blitz 88-1 off
Korea in late October and Balikatan 87 out of Subic Bay in November. The ship
returned to San Diego on 18 December. BLT and air services training, maintenance,
inspections and pre-deployment preparations, including Exercise Kernal Usher
89-B. Underway 12 January, Duluth participated in
Team Spirit 89 off Korea in March and Valiant Usher 89 off Australia before
returning to San Diego on 19 June. Duluth sailed to Prince William Sound,
Alaska, for oil spill decontamination operations with HMM-268 embarked.
Duluth housed clean-up crews, provided medical and weather forecasting
services and supported decontamination barge efforts. While operating in southern California waters
the LPD hosted a USCG Law Enforcement Detachment for anti-drug smuggling
operations. In Southwest Marine Shipyard, San Diego, for
a three-month phased maintenance availability that highlighted the excellent
condition of Duluth’s diesel engine and steam boilers. Underway 24 September, Duluth sailed to Pearl
Harbor and then on to Subic Bay for Exercise Valiant Mark 91-1. In November,
the LPD took part in Valiant Blitz 91-1 off Korea before providing disaster
relief efforts at Cebu City, Philippines, following Typhoon Mike. Drydock phased maintenance availability at
Southwest Marine Shipyard, San Diego. Departing San Diego on 6 January, Duluth
sailed to the Philippines via Pearl Harbor and Guam for exercise Valiant
Usher 92-3 in February. After a short period of up keep at Subic, the LPD
sailed south into the Indian Ocean and then north where she entered the
Arabian Gulf for the first time in her career. In between two amphibious
exercises in Kuwait in March and April, Duluth visited Mombasa, Kenya.
Arriving in Thailand in mid-May, the ship participated in Cobra Gold 92
before steaming for home, arriving in San Diego on 6 July. Underwent phased maintenance availability at
NAS San Diego. Short cruise to British Columbia for MarCot
1-93 and port visits to Esquimalt and Victoria. Underway 21 January for WestPac operations.
Arrived in Singapore 14 February and assigned to TG 76.5 for duty off the
coast of Somalia. The ship remained in Singapore for six days before getting
underway for the Indian Ocean and arriving off Mogadishu on 3 March to assist
in the evacuation of American forces from Somalia. She remained there, other
than a short trip to Melindi, Kenya, until 24 April when the LPD steamed to
Mombassa. Duluth then steamed off Kipini, Kenya, holding for possible
contingency operations owing to the civil war in Rwanda, until 4 June when
she sailed for Fremantle, Australia. Following a five-day port visit, the LPD
returned to San Diego via Pearl Harbor, arriving home on 21 July. Upkeep, local operations, inspections and
training out of San Diego through 1995. Maintenance Availability, Southwest Marine,
San Diego. Following overhaul, Duluth made a short
midshipmen cruise to Victoria, British Columbia and Oakland, Calif. In
October, the ship carried Army equipment to Everett, Wash., and she visited
Vancouver before returning to San Diego on 26 November. After completing
amphibious readiness training in May 1998, the ship began preparations for an
overseas deployment. Underway 22 June, Duluth sailed across the
Pacific and into the Indian Ocean via Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong, Singapore and
Port Klang, Malaysia. After a short visit to the Seychelles, the LPD entered
the Arabian Gulf on 27 August for exercises off Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Duluth participated in Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the northern
Arabian Gulf in October and early November as tensions rose over Iraqi
violations of the 1991 ceasefire agreements. Departing the region on 13
November, Duluth sailed for home and arrived in San Diego on 22 December. Local operations. Underway 14 August for operations in the
Indian Ocean as part of the Tarawa (LHA-1) Amphibious Ready Group. Following
stops at Pearl Harbor and Darwin, Australia, Duluth conducted three days of
humanitarian assistance operations off East Timor (14-16 Sep) before a
one-day stop at Singapore on the 21st. Moving into the Indian Ocean, the ARG
stopped at Phuket, Thailand (28 Sep – 1 Oct) before steaming on to the
Seychelles, where they arrived 9 October. Three days later, Duluth received word
that Cole (DDG-67) had been bombed in harbor at Aden, Yemen, and the LPD
quickly steamed north to Aden to provide small boat and helicopter operations
in support of Cole. Following a short cruise north to Bahrain in late
December, Duluth sailed east, arriving in San Diego on 14 February. While en
route, the LPD stopped at Iwo Jima to launch amphibious vehicles in
commemoration of the World War II battle. Maintenance availability, Naval Station, San
Diego. Underway for Operation Iraqi Freedom on 06
January, Duluth loaded elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and
HMM-161 and sailed west. After a brief stop in Singapore on 29 February, the
ships sailed into the Indian Ocean and arrived in the northern Arabian Gulf
on 10 February. The LPD operated at sea until 19 March when hostilities began
in Iraq. The ship suffered casualties on 22 March when one of her deployed
helicopters collided with a helo from HMS Ark Royal. After the initial surge
of Marines ashore, Duluth’s crew conducted boat operations in support of
operations around Iraqi oil pipeline terminals. Departing the Arabian Gulf on
27 May, the ship stopped at Cairns, Australia and Pearl Harbor before
arriving home on 23 July. Deployed with Expeditionary Strike Group
(ESG) Five to the Western Pacific. While anchored at Guam on 28 December, the
LPD was ordered south for Operation Unified Assistance to aid victims of the
devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. Duluth arrived off Sri Lanka on 9 January
2005 and her crew and embarked Marines cleared helicopter landing zones,
removed debris and helped clean up two devastated elementary schools.
29 - 30 Apr 1975
24 May 1972 29 - 30 Apr 1975
28 May - 15 Nov
1967
12 - 24 Jan 1969
02 - 12 Jun 1967
21 - 26 Oct 1970
13 Feb - 24 Mar
1992
27 May - 12 Jun
1967
01 Jul 1974 - 01
Apr 1976 |
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