The USS Arlington (LPD-24)
Ship In Action
​
When the USS Arlington is deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) the ship carries over 700 U.S. Marines. In addition, the ship carries amphibious vehicles, landing craft and rotary aircraft with the capability to support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions.
Construction
The USS Arlington’s keel was laid down on 26 May 2008, at Northrop Grumman's Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. It is a San Antonio class ship that is 684 ft long and 105 ft wide. The ship is constructed to embark and land Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion, conventional landing craft, and/or amphibious assault vehicles. This is augmented by helicopters and/or aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey.
Christening
The USS Arlington was christened on March 26, 2011, at Northrop Grumman's Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Mrs. Joyce Rumsfeld, wife of former United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, was the ship's sponsor.
Commissioning
The USS Arlington was commissioned on April 6, 2013, at Naval Station Norfolk before a crowd of more than 5,000 people. Military members were joined at the ceremony by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rep. Jim Moran, state legislators, all five Arlington County Board members, 9/11 family members, and Pentagon first responders.
