USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52)

• Commissioning: USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) was commissioned on 30 May 1998, named in honor of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. • Class and Role: It is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship, designed primarily to transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews in amphibious assault operations. • Homeport: The ship is based at Naval Base San Diego, California, serving as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. • First Deployment: USS Pearl Harbor embarked on her first deployment in August 2001, participating in Operation Enduring Freedom following the September 11 attacks. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship has participated in multiple humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, including tsunami relief in Indonesia (Operation Unified Assistance) following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. • Joint Operations: LSD-52 has worked with allied naval units, including the Royal Australian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, in exercises like Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). • Namesake Connection: Crew members of USS Pearl Harbor participate in annual Pearl Harbor Day commemorations, honoring those who served during the 1941 attack. • Marine Corps Integration: The ship regularly embarks U.S. Marine Corps units, operating as a key component of amphibious readiness groups and expeditionary strike groups. • Modernization: Over its service life, LSD-52 has undergone multiple upgrades, including advanced command and control systems and enhanced defensive capabilities. • Cultural Impact: The ship and its crew have been featured in various documentaries and Navy outreach programs, showcasing the importance of amphibious warfare capabilities.