USS Harlan County (LST-1196)

• Commissioned in 1972: USS Harlan County (LST-1196) was commissioned on April 8, 1972, serving as the lead ship of her class of tank landing ships designed for amphibious operations. • Named after Harlan County, Kentucky: The ship was named to honor Harlan County, reflecting a tradition of naming LSTs after counties in the United States. • Unique Design: The Newport-class LSTs, including Harlan County, featured a bow ramp supported by twin derrick arms, allowing for faster and more efficient unloading of vehicles and cargo compared to older LST designs. • Role in Grenada: USS Harlan County participated in Operation Urgent Fury in 1983, the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada, transporting troops and equipment to the island. • Support During the Lebanese Civil War: In the 1980s, the ship supported U.S. peacekeeping operations off the coast of Lebanon, including the evacuation of American personnel. • Haitian Crisis Incident: In October 1993, Harlan County was sent to Haiti as part of a UN mission to restore democracy but was turned away by hostile crowds and armed groups at Port-au-Prince, marking a rare instance of a U.S. warship being physically blocked from its mission. • Decommissioning: The ship was officially decommissioned on April 29, 1995, after 23 years of service. • Transfer to the Spanish Navy: After decommissioning, Harlan County was transferred to Spain in 1995, where she served as SPS Pizarro (L-42) until 2012. • Humanitarian Missions: Throughout her career, Harlan County supported numerous humanitarian operations, including disaster relief in the Caribbean and Central America. • Legacy: USS Harlan County is remembered for her versatility, service in multiple conflicts, and as a symbol of U.S. Navy amphibious capability during the Cold War and post-Cold War era.