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History of USS New Orleans (LPH-11)

USS New Orleans (LPH-11) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Throughout her service, she played a significant role in the Vietnam War, supporting amphibious operations and serving as a command ship. Notably, USS New Orleans participated in the recovery missions for the Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 space missions, retrieving astronauts and spacecraft from the Pacific Ocean. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1997, leaving a distinguished legacy in both combat operations and space exploration support.

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ABOUT USS New Orleans (LPH-11)

  • Commissioning and Class: USS New Orleans (LPH-11) was the third ship of the Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ships, commissioned on 16 November 1968.
  • Apollo 14 Recovery Ship: She served as the primary recovery ship for the Apollo 14 mission in February 1971, retrieving astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell after their return from the Moon.
  • Apollo 17 Recovery: New Orleans was also the recovery vessel for Apollo 17 in December 1972, making her the ship that recovered the crew of the last human mission to the Moon.
  • Vietnam War Service: The ship provided critical support during the Vietnam War, including amphibious operations and troop transport, contributing to several campaigns.
  • Helicopter Carrier Role: Designed primarily to carry helicopters and Marines, she could transport a battalion landing team and up to 25 helicopters for rapid deployment.
  • Operation Frequent Wind: USS New Orleans participated in the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, assisting in Operation Frequent Wind, the final phase of the American evacuation from South Vietnam.
  • Maritime Incidents: In 1976, the ship suffered a collision with a submerged object near San Diego, resulting in damage but no loss of life.
  • Humanitarian Missions: The vessel took part in multiple peacetime and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief and the rescue of Vietnamese boat people in the late 1970s and 1980s.
  • Gulf War Involvement: During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990–1991), she served as a command ship and provided support for amphibious operations in the Persian Gulf.
  • Decommissioning and Fate: USS New Orleans was decommissioned on 1 October 1997. She was later sunk as a target during a RIMPAC exercise in July 2010 off the coast of Hawaii.

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