Home > USS Saipan (LHA-2)

The second Saipan (LHA-2) is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. She was laid down on 21 July 1972 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched on 20 July 1974; sponsored by Mrs. J. William Middendorf II, wife of Secretary of the Navy Middendorf .

Saipan’s operational career began in July of 1979 when she was diverted from Fleet Refresher Training to Special Contingency Operations for possible non-combatant evacuation of American personnel from Nicaragua during that country’s civil war.

In May of 1980, Saipan was underway to augment U.S. Coast Guard efforts to assist Cuban refugees crossing the Straits of Florida to the United StatesThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in. On August 25August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. Events 1537 The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, was formed. 1580, 1980, Saipan departed NorfolkNorfolk is a city in the U. state of Virginia in the United States of America. It is an independent city, and therefore part of no county. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 234,403. Norfolk is located on the Elizabeth River, on Ham for the first Mediterranean deployment by an LHA.

On September 3September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). There are 119 days remaining. Events 301 San Marino, one of the smallest nations in the world and the world's oldest republic still in existence, was founded by Saint Marinus. 590 St. Gregory, 1981Events January-February January Sarawak Chamber found January 1 Greece enters the EEC January 1 Palau becomes self-governing January 4 Sheffield police arrests Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper January 16 Protestant gunmen shoot and wound Bernadette D, Saipan deployed for her second tour in the Mediterranean SeaThe Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. 5 million km². The term Mediterranean derives from the Latin mediterraneus 'inland' mediu. During that deployment, Saipan visited or operated in seven different countries on three continents.

From August of 1982Events January January 6 William Bonin is convicted of being the "freeway killer". January 8 AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions January 11 Mark Thatcher, son of the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappears in the Sahara du through July of 1983Events January January 1 Beat Raaflaub became Basel Boys Choir's new conductor January 1 the ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol, creating the Internet. January 1 compulsory wearing of seat belts becomes law in the UK. January 2 The mu, Saipan was in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her first scheduled complex overhaul. In September 1983, while undergoing Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Saipan was diverted to participate in Operation Urgent Fury off Grenada.

In January of 1985, Saipan departed for her third Mediterranean deployment. She steamed more than 32,000 miles, logged over 6,700 safe aircraft landings and visited ports in three countries.

Following a four-month restricted availability in Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Saipan sailed to Guantanamo Bay to complete various training evolutions.

From March of 1990 through September of 1990, Saipan was deployed to the Mediterranean and conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations, evacuating 1,600 civilians from war-torn Liberia in support of Operation Sharp Edge.

From September of 1991 to March of 1992, Saipan deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Saipan again deployed to the Mediterranean in March of 1993 in support of Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise . The ship returned in September of 1993 and began her third scheduled complex overhaul in April of 1994.

In June of 1996, Saipan deployed to the Mediterranean and participated in Operation Decisive Endeavor and various multi-national training exercises. She returned to Norfolk in December 1996.

Saipan departed on her seventh deployment to the Mediterranean in July 1998. The ship spent substantial operating time in the Adriatic Sea due to turmoil in Albania.

In 1999, Saipan became the developmental and operational test platform for the V-22 Osprey aircraft.

In July of 2000, Saipan began her eighth Mediterranean deployment. The ship commenced Adriatic presence operations during the Fall of 2000 federal elections in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

On February 12, 2001 Saipan entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its fourth scheduled complex overhaul.

See USS Saipan for other ships of this name.