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History of USS ANCHORAGE (LSD-36)

USS Anchorage (LSD-36) was a dock landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy on March 15, 1970. As the lead ship of her class, Anchorage served extensively in the Pacific Fleet, supporting amphibious operations and transporting Marines, vehicles, and landing craft. Throughout her career, the ship participated in major exercises, humanitarian missions, and deployments, including operations during the Vietnam War and later in the Persian Gulf. After more than three decades of service, USS Anchorage was decommissioned on October 1, 2003, leaving a legacy of versatility and reliability in naval amphibious operations.

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ABOUT USS ANCHORAGE (LSD-36)

  • Commissioning and Class: USS Anchorage (LSD-36) was commissioned on March 15, 1972, as the lead ship of the Anchorage-class dock landing ships, designed to support amphibious operations by carrying landing craft, vehicles, and troops.
  • Vietnam War Service: Although commissioned toward the end of the Vietnam War, Anchorage participated in various support and evacuation operations during the conflict, including Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.
  • Operation Eagle Pull: In April 1975, Anchorage assisted in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of U.S. personnel and at-risk Cambodians from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • Humanitarian Missions: The ship was involved in rescuing Vietnamese refugees (commonly known as "boat people") fleeing after the fall of South Vietnam, saving hundreds of lives during her deployments.
  • Desert Storm Support: Anchorage participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing amphibious ready group support and logistical services during the liberation of Kuwait.
  • Technological Features: The ship was equipped with a well deck for launching and recovering landing craft and amphibious vehicles, as well as a helicopter landing platform, enabling versatile amphibious operations.
  • Pacific Deployments: Anchorage frequently deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, supporting U.S. interests and participating in joint exercises with allied navies.
  • Decommissioning: After nearly 34 years of service, USS Anchorage was decommissioned on October 1, 2003, at San Diego, California, marking the end of her distinguished career.
  • Namesake Tradition: The ship was named after Anchorage, Alaska, continuing the tradition of naming dock landing ships after U.S. cities with maritime significance.
  • Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS Anchorage was used as a target ship and sunk during a fleet training exercise (RIMPAC) in July 2010, contributing to naval training and reef habitat formation.

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