About this Unit
USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy on August 8, 1987. Named after the historic fort in Baltimore, Maryland, the ship was designed to transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with embarked Marines during amphibious operations. Throughout its service, Fort McHenry participated in numerous deployments, including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and humanitarian missions such as tsunami relief in Indonesia in 2005. After over three decades of active service supporting global naval operations, USS Fort McHenry was decommissioned on March 27, 2021.
Historical Facts
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Named After a Historic Fort: USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) is named after Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, famous for its defense during the War of 1812, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."
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Commissioned in 1987: The ship was commissioned on August 8, 1987, and became the fifth ship in the Whidbey Island-class of dock landing ships.
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Humanitarian Missions: Fort McHenry participated in numerous humanitarian missions, including Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh (1991) following a devastating cyclone, providing disaster relief and saving countless lives.
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Operation Desert Storm: The ship was deployed during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, playing a critical role in amphibious operations by transporting Marines and their equipment.
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Anti-Piracy Operations: In 2009, USS Fort McHenry was deployed off the coast of Somalia as part of anti-piracy operations, helping to secure vital shipping lanes.
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Support During 9/11: After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the ship was rapidly deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom, demonstrating the Navy’s global reach and readiness.
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Joint Operations: Fort McHenry often participated in joint exercises with allied navies, enhancing interoperability, including exercises with NATO and Middle Eastern partners.
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Flight Deck Capability: The ship is equipped with a large flight deck, capable of handling helicopters like the CH-46 Sea Knight and MV-22 Osprey, increasing its versatility in amphibious operations.
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Decommissioning: USS Fort McHenry was officially decommissioned on March 27, 2021, after over 33 years of distinguished service.
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Crew Traditions: The ship’s motto, "The Fort," fostered a unique crew identity and esprit de corps, with reunions and strong ties among former crew members even after decommissioning.
