USS Nashville (LPD-13)

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Decommissioning: After nearly 39 years of service, USS Nashville was decommissioned on 30 September 2009 at Norfolk, Virginia. • 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.