LHD 8 Program - How Marines Go to War
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USS Makin Island - LHD 8 |
The multipurpose amphibious assault ship LHD is the centerpiece of an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). In wartime, these ships deploy very large numbers of troops and equipment to assault enemy-held beaches. Like LPD, only larger, in times of peace, these ships have ample space for non-combatant evacuations and other humanitarian missions. The program of record is 8 ships of which
Makin Island (LHD 8) is the last.
LHDs are capable of embarking, transporting, deploying, commanding and supporting a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of almost 2,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors and the ship is equipped with a 13,600-square foot well deck which opens to the sea for rapid deployment of LCAC and other equipment, including rotary wing aircraft.
