The USS Tarawa: A Closer Look at the Assault Ship

Battleships have played a vital role in the success of a country in winning a war; sometimes, they are also used as instruments for rescue operations, carrying weapons, and reinforcement. One of the most notable ships of the U.S. is the USS Tarawa, which has played a vital role in wars since its first mission in 1979. Since then, the battleship had various missions assisting the troops of the United States until her last deployment on the 8th of June 2008, and she returned home to San Diego after her seven-month deployment. Now, during a training mission, the ship was sunk by a missile as a part of war games that occurred off the coast of Hawaii on July 19th.

A Brief History of the USS Tarawa

This massive ship, also called the LHA-1, was built to be an assault ship to serve in the missions of the U.S. Navy. She got her name from the Battle of Tarawa, which the troops got involved in during World War II. She was first deployed in the Western Pacific. Her mission includes port visits to Okinawa, South Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, and the Enewetak Marshall Islands. With her massive size, the USS Tarawa helped in recovery operations and supported the AV-8A Harrier jets. It was later used as a rescue vessel to recover over 400 South Vietnamese refugees. After its second deployment was over, she was assigned to the Indian Ocean. In 1983, which was her third deployment, she was sent to the Mediterranean to support the United Nations peacekeepers in Beirut, Lebanon.The USS Tarawa was tasked with a six-month WESTPAC tour in June 1989. In December 1990, she supported Operation Desert Shield. In May 1991, she was sent to Bangladesh to support Operation Sea Angel, providing humanitarian assistance to the cyclone victims. After one year, she was redeployed in the Western Pacific for the eighth time, participating in the join of the U.S./Kuwait exercise. After her long overhaul, the USS Tarawa was then again sent to the Pacific in April 1996 to take part in the U.S./Thailand amphibious training exercises. During the mid-2000s, while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one ship, the USS Cole, was attacked. Upon hearing the news, Tarawa sped up for backup. She joined USS Hawes, USS Donald Cook, and HMS Marlborough. This became the Operation Determined Response. Her last deployment was in June 2008 in the Middle East to provide support in Iraqi Freedom operations. She returned to San Diego port after a seven-month deployment.

The Best Sitrep for Today's Vets.

Benefits intel, military tech, field-tested gear, untold stories of those who served, and history like you've never heard before. Sign up for the VeteranLife newsletter.

​

Subscribe

Always free. 🇺🇸 | Unsubscribe anytime.

USS Tarawa Was Laid to Rest by the Navy