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ABOUT LANDING SHIP DOCK (LSD)

SHIP'S MISSION: To embark, deploy and land elements of a Marine Landing Force in an assault by helicopter, landing craft, amphibious vehicles or by a combination of these methods.

USS Anchorage (LSD 36) well deck ballasted down to launch LCAC.
LCAC launched.

LSD stands for Landing Ship, Dock. The ‘D’ is reference to a well deck, which is an open space running almost the entire length of the ship, allowing the aft part to sink up to ten feet in order to flood its well deck with water. How it works? The stern gate is lowered, and all or some of the ship's ballast tanks (USS Anchorage had 44) would be filled with sea water, causing the controlled lowering of the stern, allowing water to enter the well deck. Once the well deck is low enough, amphibious landing craft are launched or retrieved.

"When we shot tow missiles off the flight deck out by San Clemente Island was the only time when I was onboard that we used all 44 of them. Usually, we only used around 20 of them. We would fill eight on each side then control the up and down with the four largest ones down the center of the ship." HT3 Eric Tews (10/84‐4/88)

As a dry dock, boats would enter and be secured, the water in ballast tanks pumped back out resulting in the dry docking of the boat(s), and the stern gate lifted. LSDs also have a flight deck for helicopter operations, aviation refueling and fuel storage capabilities, one or two cranes, and multiple small boats.

Like all Naval ships, LSDs have evolved. The 55 years between the first and last LSD saw the length increase over 150’, vehicle storage capacity increase by almost 7,000 square feet, and ship displacement increase by over 8,100 tons. Original 3"/50 caliber gun mounts have been replaced with modern weapon systems, flight operations have expanded to include multiple landing spots for helicopters up to V‐22 Osprey in size, and well decks are larger to accommodate the Navy’s newest amphibious assault landing craft. LSDs have always been able to berth, feed, and transport hundreds of fully equipped combat troops; the last LSD built can hold over 500.

The future of LSD ships is currently in question as the US Navy, USMC, and Congress debate amphibious ship procurement and force‐level. More information can be found here Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress September 24, 2024.

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