XBradTC

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XBradTC

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Around the Cape, an LPH on her way to the breakers.

The Iwo Jima class LPH amphibious helicopter carriers were the first ships built from the keel up to support Marine amphibious assault via vertical envelopment (that’s helicopters). They were derived from a merchant design, as far as hull shape and propulsion. Their aviation facilities were, obviously, not civilian derived. As I was walking Cabrillo National…

The Iwo Jima class LPH amphibious helicopter carriers were the first ships built from the keel up to support Marine amphibious assault via vertical envelopment (that’s helicopters). They were derived from a merchant design, as far as hull shape and propulsion. Their aviation facilities were, obviously, not civilian derived.

As I was walking Cabrillo National Monument this morning, I spied a large vessel under tow heading out from San Diego harbor.

Iwo Jima Class

That’s definitely an Iwo Jima class ship. Sorry for the poor picture quality, but the range was rather extreme, several miles at least, and my p-shop skills to enhance it are poor at best.

I think it’s probably the former USS Tripoli, but really don’t know. At any event, she’s on her last trip, all the way around the cape, and then to the breakers yard.

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  1. jjak

    It’s a tough photo to make an ID off of. If it is Tripoli she might be on her way to support another round of BMD testing – http://aviationintel.com/uss-tripoli-amphibious-assault-ship-turned-ballistic-missile-launch-tracking-platform/

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  2. Jeff Gauch

    She’s the Tripoli. She was pierside at NASNI and we got the hull number.

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