USS Ponce (LPD-15)

• Namesake: USS Ponce (LPD-15) was named after the city of Ponce in Puerto Rico, making it one of the few U.S. Navy ships named after a Puerto Rican city. • Class and Service: USS Ponce was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, commissioned on 10 July 1971 and served for over 40 years until decommissioning in 2017. • Falklands War Support: During the 1982 Falklands War, USS Ponce was part of a task force deployed to the South Atlantic to support U.S. interests, although she saw no direct action. • Lebanon Operations: In 1982 and 1983, Ponce participated in the U.S. peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon, supporting Marines on the ground during the Lebanese Civil War. • Desert Storm: USS Ponce played a role in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, transporting Marines and equipment to the Persian Gulf and providing amphibious support. • Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB): In 2012, nearing the end of her service, USS Ponce was converted into an AFSB, becoming the first U.S. Navy ship to serve in this new role, supporting mine countermeasures and special operations in the Persian Gulf. • Laser Weapon System (LaWS): In 2014, USS Ponce became the first U.S. naval vessel to be equipped with a prototype Laser Weapon System, marking a significant milestone in directed-energy weapon development. • Record Deployment: Ponce holds the record for the longest continuously deployed amphibious ship in U.S. Navy history, spending more than 1,100 days deployed during her final years. • Multinational Exercises: Throughout her career, Ponce participated in numerous multinational exercises, including UNITAS and NATO operations, strengthening alliances and interoperability. • Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat roles, USS Ponce was involved in humanitarian relief, including disaster response in the Caribbean and rescue operations for migrants at sea.