About this Unit
USS Inchon (LPH-12) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named after the pivotal Battle of Inchon during the Korean War, the vessel served as a platform for helicopter operations, enabling rapid deployment of Marine forces. Throughout its service, USS Inchon participated in numerous exercises, humanitarian missions, and operations, including support during the Gulf War and mine countermeasure operations. The ship was decommissioned in 2002 after over three decades of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Inchon (LPH-12) was named after the historic Battle of Inchon, a pivotal amphibious assault during the Korean War led by General Douglas MacArthur in 1950.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 20 June 1970 and was the third vessel in the Iwo Jima-class of amphibious assault ships.
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Primary Mission: USS Inchon served as an amphibious assault ship, designed to embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary missions, primarily operating helicopters.
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Vietnam War Service: Shortly after commissioning, Inchon was deployed to the Vietnam War, providing support for Marine helicopter and troop operations.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping: Inchon played a significant role in Operation Peace for Galilee, supporting U.S. peacekeeping operations in Lebanon in 1982-1983.
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Operation Urgent Fury: In 1983, the ship participated in the U.S. invasion of Grenada, helping to land Marines during the operation.
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Mine Countermeasures Conversion: In 1995, Inchon was converted to a mine countermeasures support ship (MCS-12), becoming the U.S. Navy’s first dedicated MCM command and support ship.
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Gulf War: Inchon supported operations during the First Gulf War (1990-1991), serving as a vital platform for helicopter mine countermeasures and amphibious operations.
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Fire Incident: In October 2001, a major fire in Inchon’s main engineering space while in port at Ingleside, Texas, killed one crew member and led to the ship’s decommissioning.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS Inchon was sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise off the coast of Virginia in December 2004, ending her 34 years of service.
