Armed Forces News

The Navy took delivery of its newest amphibious assault ship, named America, during an April 10 custody-transfer ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss. Shortly after America’s skipper, Capt. Robert A. Hall Jr., signed official paperwork, the 900 sailors and Marines assigned to its pre-commissioning unit marched aboard and took custody of the flight deck. America is the first ship of its class, which will replace the aging Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships. Displacing 44,971 tons, the vessel will be capable of carrying Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. San Diego will be her homeport.