About this Unit
USS Nashville (LPD-13) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned into the United States Navy on February 14, 1970. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous amphibious operations, humanitarian missions, and exercises, including deployments to the Mediterranean and support for peacekeeping in Lebanon during the early 1980s. In 2006, Nashville played a key role in the evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict as part of Operation Strengthen Hope. After nearly four decades of service, USS Nashville was decommissioned on September 30, 2009.
Historical Facts
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Commissioning and Namesake: USS Nashville (LPD-13) was commissioned on 14 February 1970 and was the third U.S. Navy ship named after Nashville, Tennessee.
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Class and Role: As an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, Nashville was designed to embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping Operations: USS Nashville participated in the 1982–1984 Multinational Force peacekeeping operations off the coast of Beirut, supporting U.S. Marines ashore during the Lebanese Civil War.
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Operation Sharp Edge: In August 1990, Nashville played a key role in Operation Sharp Edge, evacuating nearly 2,500 civilians from war-torn Liberia during the First Liberian Civil War.
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Support in Operation Iraqi Freedom: USS Nashville was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, transporting Marines and equipment to the Middle East during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
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Royal Marine Helicopter Crash: In 2004, a British Royal Marine Lynx helicopter tragically crashed while attempting to land on the Nashville in the Persian Gulf, resulting in the loss of six crew members.
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First Ship with a Female Commander: In 2006, USS Nashville became the first U.S. Navy combatant ship to be commanded by a female officer, Commander Cindy L. Thebaud.
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Humanitarian Missions: Nashville was involved in several humanitarian and disaster relief operations, including delivering aid and supplies following hurricanes and natural disasters in the Caribbean.
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Decommissioning: After nearly 39 years of service, USS Nashville was decommissioned on 30 September 2009 at Norfolk, Virginia.
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International Training and Exercises: Throughout her career, Nashville participated in numerous multinational exercises, including UNITAS, Baltic Operations (BALTOPS), and others, strengthening ties with allied navies.
