USS Fort Fisher (LSD-40)

• Namesake and Legacy: USS Fort Fisher (LSD-40) was named after Fort Fisher, a Confederate fort during the American Civil War that protected the vital trading routes of Wilmington, North Carolina. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on December 9, 1972, at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California, and was the second ship named after Fort Fisher. • Ship Class: USS Fort Fisher was an Anchorage-class dock landing ship, designed to support amphibious operations by transporting and launching landing craft and vehicles. • Vietnam War Role: Although commissioned late in the Vietnam War, Fort Fisher conducted several WESTPAC deployments, supporting amphibious operations and logistics in the Western Pacific. • Operation Desert Storm: Fort Fisher played a significant support role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, transporting and deploying Marines, equipment, and landing craft in the Persian Gulf. • Humanitarian Mission: In 1992, Fort Fisher supported Operation Restore Hope, a U.S.-led humanitarian mission to Somalia, providing logistics and support to relieve famine. • Technological Upgrades: Throughout her service, Fort Fisher received periodic upgrades, including improved communications, navigation systems, and defensive armaments. • Global Reach: The ship participated in exercises and port calls across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, visiting countries such as Japan, Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines. • Decommissioning: USS Fort Fisher was decommissioned on February 27, 1998, after over 25 years of active service, and subsequently laid up in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet. • Final Fate: In 2010, the ship was sunk as a target during a live-fire exercise (SINKEX) off the coast of Hawaii, serving one last time to help train the Navy in modern combat tactics.