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    HomeMilitaryNavy's Homage to Battles: USS Helmand Province and USS Philadelphia Named

    Navy’s Homage to Battles: USS Helmand Province and USS Philadelphia Named

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    060618-N-8492C-276 Pacific Ocean (June 18, 2006) – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), foreground, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), center, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and their associated carrier strike groups steam in formation while 17 aircraft from the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps fly over them during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) while preparing for exercise Valiant Shield 2006. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training among U.S. military forces, enabling real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces and in detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. U.S. Navy photo by Chief PhotographerÕs Mate Todd P. Cichonowicz (RELEASED)

    In a heartfelt homage to U.S. Marine Corps battles and the nation’s maritime heritage, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has announced the naming of two significant naval vessels, each carrying a legacy into the future.

    The America-class big deck amphibious warship is to be named USS Helmand Province, while a future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock will honor the rich naval history of Philadelphia as USS Philadelphia (LPD 32).

    USS Olympia and USS Becuna – Philadelphia” by Reading Tom is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    Del Toro unveiled the name USS Helmand Province during a keynote at the Modern Day Marine conference, stating, “I am honored to announce today that the future LHA-10 will be named USS Helmand Province, recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of our Marines and Sailors who fought for almost 20 years in the mountains of Afghanistan.”

    USS Boulder (LST-1190), USS Mobile (LKA-115), USS Charleston (LKA-113) and USS El Paso (LKA-117) laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Pennsylvania (USA), 21 October 2017” by Chuck Homler is licensed under CC BY 4.0

    Marine commandant Gen. Eric Smith, who commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Helmand in 2011, reflected on the region’s strategic importance and rugged terrain, saying, “Helmand province holds a unique place in the hearts of this generation of Marines.”

    USS Iowa (BB-61)” by Nick / KC7CBF is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

    Indeed, the Helmand Province was a critical theater in the global war on terror, known for being a stronghold of both the opium trade and Taliban forces.

    An F/A-18F Super Hornet approaches USS Gerald R. Ford.” by Official U.S. Navy Imagery is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    “From 2009 to 2014 this region was the center of efforts to give stability and security to a troubled land. Helmand province as many of you know, it was not just any theater of war. It was the heart of the opium trade, a Taliban stronghold, and the terrain is rugged and formidable as any. And yet, that our Marines and sailors and allies and partners showed what it means to be the tip of the spear”, Smith said.

    USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean.” by Official U.S. Navy Imagery is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    Del Toro also honored Smith’s wife Trish Smith as Helmand Province’s sponsor, further personalizing the connection between the ship and those it represents.

    The USS Helmand Province is set to be the third Flight I America-class ship, following Bougainville (LHA-8) and Fallujah, and will feature a well deck capable of carrying two Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercraft, alongside accommodations for Marine Corps aviation assets like the F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter and the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor.

    Additionally, Secretary Del Toro named the future USS Philadelphia during a ceremony at Independence Hall.

    USS Iowa (BB-61) 887 ft 3 in Battleship (1942) 07” by Jack Snell – Thanks for over 26 Million Views is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

    “I cannot think of a city with a richer maritime history than Philadelphia,” said Del Toro,ecognizing the indomitable spirit of the city known as both the birthplace of American democracy and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

    USS John F. Kennedy” by PMillera4 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

    Echoing this sentiment, the ship’s sponsor, Maureen Paparo, spouse of Adm.

    USS Gerald R. Ford conducts high-speed turns in the Atlantic Ocean, Oct. 29, 2019.” by Official U.S. Navy Imagery is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    Samuel Paparo, the 64th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and a native Philadelphian herself, expressed her deep gratitude, stating, “May the spirit of our great city uplift the Sailors and Marines who sail in her with Honor, Courage and Commitment.”

    USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), left, and FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) are underway in the Mediterranean Sea.” by Official U.S. Navy Imagery is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    The future USS Philadelphia, which will be the seventh vessel to bear the name, continues a legacy that began with a Continental Navy gunboat in 1776.

    Each previous Philadelphia has played a significant role, from participating in the First Barbary War to supporting Allied operations in WWII.

    USS Iowa (BB-61) 887 ft 3 in Battleship (1942) 12” by Jack Snell – Thanks for over 26 Million Views is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

    The latest USS Philadelphia is part of a line of amphibious transport dock ships designed to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies, serving as a versatile platform for expeditionary warfare missions.

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