About this Unit
USS Okinawa (LPH-3) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1962. Named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Okinawa, she served as a helicopter carrier, supporting amphibious operations and rapid troop deployment. Throughout her career, USS Okinawa participated in the Vietnam War, the recovery of Apollo spacecraft, and numerous Cold War-era exercises and operations. After over 28 years of service, she was decommissioned in 1992 and later sunk as a target in 2002.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Okinawa (LPH-3) was named after the Battle of Okinawa, one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 14 April 1962, serving as an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship (helicopter).
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Vietnam War Service: USS Okinawa played a significant role in the Vietnam War, participating in numerous amphibious operations and evacuations, including Operation Eagle Pull (evacuation of Phnom Penh, 1975) and Operation Frequent Wind (evacuation of Saigon, 1975).
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Apollo Recovery Missions: The ship served as the primary recovery vessel for Apollo 6 (1968), Apollo 15 (1971), and Apollo 17 (1972) space missions, recovering astronauts and space capsules from the Pacific Ocean.
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First Vertical Assault Ship: USS Okinawa was among the first ships specifically designed for vertical assault using helicopters, providing rapid deployment of Marines and equipment ashore.
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Humanitarian Missions: Beyond combat, the Okinawa participated in humanitarian missions, including disaster relief operations in Southeast Asia.
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Gulf War Involvement: In 1990-91, USS Okinawa deployed to the Persian Gulf, serving as the flagship for the Mine Countermeasures Group during Operation Desert Storm.
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Vietnamese Boat People: In the late 1970s, the ship assisted in the rescue of Vietnamese refugees fleeing their country by boat after the fall of Saigon.
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Decommissioning: USS Okinawa was decommissioned on 17 December 1992 after 30 years of service, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2002.
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Nickname: The crew affectionately called the ship “The Mighty Oki,” a nod to its storied service history and the resilience of those who served aboard her.
