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PROFILE OF A WARSHIP: USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3)
Aviation Photojournal had the honor and privilege of being invited aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) to participate in New York City Fleet Week 2017. This 40,000 ton, 844 foot long US Navy warship is really the Swiss Army knife of force projection. Capable of launching helicopters (attack and transport), tilt-rotors and attack aircraft (Harriers and soon the F-35B), the Kearsarge maintains a powerful airpower capability. In addition to that, the Kearsarge carries almost 2,000 Marines and their vehicles along with a well deck that can house and launch hovercraft (LCACs) and other landing craft. APJ was flown out to the Kearsarge from Lower Manhattan aboard an MH-53E Sea Dragon, meeting the ship underway out in the Atlantic Ocean. After spending the night aboard, we joined the Kearsarge as she participated
Commissioned: October 16, 1993
Class: Wasp-class
Motto: Proud-Trustworth-Bold
Homeport: Norfolk, VA
Top Speed: 24 Knots
Named for: Civil War sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge (which was named for Mount Kearsarge, New Hampshire)
participated in the Parade of Ships, the official kick off of Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week, which this year ran from May 24-29, 2017, brings active duty US Navy ships (sometimes along with ships from other countries) to New York City and opens them up for tours, while the Sailors and Marines get to enjoy all the Big Apple has to offer. In its 29th year, Fleet Week is an extremely popular event and for many, signals the unofficial start of summer.
This year, APJ is able to bring you an inside look of an active-duty ship at sea that few civilians get to see and appreciate. However, our coverage would not have been possible without the assistance and cooperation of several people. Specifically, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Heather Welch and LTJG Michael Torres for coordinating our visit from start to finish. We are also thankful to the entire crew of the USS Kearsarge for their hospitality and generosity in helping us get where we needed to go and patiently answering all of our questions and requests. It was an honor to sail with you, even for a day, and something we (and our readers) will remember for a long time to come. Fair seas and following winds! Thank you to the One World Observatory too!