USS Saipan (LHA-2)

"Ominia Facimus" -

The USS Saipan (LHA-2), a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship, holds a prominent place in naval history. Commissioned in 1977 and named in honor of the World War II Battle of Saipan, she was laid down in 1972 at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division in Mississippi.

The USS Saipan (LHA-2)'s operational career began in July 1979, with her deployment for potential evacuation during the Nicaraguan Revolution. In the early 1980s, she was involved in Anorak Express 80, assisted during the Mariel boatlift, and was part of the first Mediterranean deployment by an LHA. Various deployments and overhauls marked the decade, including participation in Operation Urgent Fury off Grenada in 1983 and North Atlantic deployment in 1984.

During the late 1980s, USS Saipan (LHA-2) was refitted in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The 1990s were equally active, with deployment in support of Operation Sharp Edge, evacuating civilians from Liberia, and involvement in Operation Desert Storm. Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise in 1993, Operation Decisive Endeavor in 1996, and a significant deployment in 1998 involving multiple missions in Kosovo, Albania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo illustrated the USS Saipan (LHA-2)'s versatility.

USS Saipan (LHA-2) became the test platform for the V-22 Osprey aircraft in 1999 and continued its deployment pattern into the 2000s. Her contributions during this period included Adriatic presence operations, support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, humanitarian civic assistance in Haiti, participation in the Royal Navy International Fleet Review in 2005, and Operation Phoenix Express in 2006. Her final operational deployment in 2006 was to the Persian Gulf region in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Decommissioned in April 2007, the USS Saipan (LHA-2) played a key role in weapons effect testing. Her insights assisted in future ship design and planning. Transferred to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia, she was eventually scrapped by International Shipbreaking Ltd in Texas, completing the scrapping process on 23 February 2011.

Throughout her illustrious career, USS Saipan (LHA-2) was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (two awards), Humanitarian Service Medal, Battle Efficiency "E" (four awards), Admiral Flatley Safety Award (two awards), the Sledge Award, Atlantic Fleet Surface Force "Admiral’s Cup" in 1985, COMPHIBRON Twelve's "Bronze Anchor" for retention excellence, and the 1993 COMNAVSURFLANT Command Excellence Award for Command and Control, Maritime Warfare and Logistics Management.

The diverse and dynamic legacy of USS Saipan (LHA-2) represents decades of commitment to military operations, humanitarian efforts, and global engagement. Her story continues to be a profound symbol of naval excellence and a vital part of the United States' maritime heritage.