Armed Forces News

The Navy christened its newest amphibious transport dock the USS John P. Murtha, honoring the former Marine who represented Pennsylvania in Congress from 1974 until his death in 2010. The ceremony took place March 21 at Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., where the ship is being built. The Murtha is the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock to join the fleet. It will be capable of carrying CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. The ship’s large cargo compartment will enable crews to deploy and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles as well. The crew will consist of 381 officers, sailors and Marines, with the capability of embarking a 669-troop landing force.