HII-built LPD arrives in SoCal

SAN DIEGO - The future amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) arrived here Jan. 22 at its new homeport. Its arrival to 'SoCal' concluded a six-week transit from Huntington Ingalls’ shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. The ship departed South Mississippi on Dec.14 and made port visits to Key West and Mayport, Fla., and a fuel stop Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During transit, Portland conducted training operations to include certifying landing craft air cushion operations with Assault Craft Unit 5; experiencing its first-time of passage through the Panama Canal; and conducting a crossing the equator ceremony. (Source: USS Portland 01/23/18) Portland will be the 11th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship in the Navy. The ship’s keel was laid in August 2013 at the HII-Pascagoula. Portland was commissioned there in December. Its commissioning ceremony will be April 21 in Portland, Ore.