USS Saginaw (LST-1188)

```html • Unique Class: USS Saginaw (LST-1188) was the lead ship of the Newport-class tank landing ships, representing a major design departure from traditional LSTs with a bow ramp instead of doors. • Launch Date: She was launched on January 7, 1970, at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California. • Innovative Bow Ramp: Unlike previous LSTs, Saginaw featured a 112-foot aluminum ramp over the bow, allowing faster and more efficient offloading of vehicles and cargo. • Speed: The Newport-class, including Saginaw, could reach speeds over 20 knots—significantly faster than earlier LST designs, which typically maxed out at around 12 knots. • Vietnam War Service: USS Saginaw participated in the Vietnam War, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies as part of amphibious operations in the region. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship was involved in several humanitarian missions, including disaster relief operations after hurricanes and other emergencies in the Caribbean and Central America. • Lebanon Deployment: In 1982 and 1983, USS Saginaw supported the Multinational Force in Lebanon, participating in peacekeeping operations during the Lebanese Civil War. • Operation Desert Storm: Saginaw was deployed during the Gulf War in 1991, providing amphibious support and logistics for Operation Desert Storm. • Transfer to Australia: Decommissioned from the US Navy in June 1994, Saginaw was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy and recommissioned as HMAS Kanimbla (L 51). • Long Service: Between her service with the US and Australian navies, the vessel had a combined operational career spanning nearly four decades before being retired in 2011. ```