About this Unit
USS Cayuga (LST-1186) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed for rapid deployment of tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto shore, Cayuga played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing logistical support and participating in amphibious operations. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she served with the Pacific Fleet, supporting training exercises, humanitarian missions, and fleet maneuvers. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 after over two decades of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Cayuga (LST-1186) was named after Cayuga County, New York, and the Cayuga people, reflecting the tradition of naming tank landing ships after counties or Native American tribes.
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Class: She was a Newport-class tank landing ship, a class designed with a unique bow ramp and greater speed compared to earlier World War II-era LSTs.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 28 August 1970, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, with Commander R. J. Naughton as her first commanding officer.
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Vietnam Service: Cayuga served in the Vietnam War, participating in the evacuation of Saigon (Operation Frequent Wind) in April 1975, helping to rescue refugees and U.S. personnel.
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Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat operations, Cayuga participated in humanitarian missions, including transporting Vietnamese refugees ("boat people") after the fall of Saigon.
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Unique Bow Ramp: Unlike earlier LSTs, Newport-class ships like Cayuga featured a 112-foot aluminum bow ramp supported by twin derrick arms, enabling faster offloading of vehicles and cargo.
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Pacific Operations: Cayuga was primarily assigned to the Pacific Fleet, operating out of San Diego and making frequent deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
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Exercise Participation: She took part in numerous exercises, including joint operations with allied navies such as RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), fostering international cooperation.
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Gulf War Reserve: Though decommissioned in 1994, Cayuga was placed in the reserve fleet and considered for reactivation during the Gulf War, reflecting her continued strategic value.
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Final Fate: USS Cayuga was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 2001 and eventually sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise, continuing her service by helping train new generations of sailors.
