Amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf for the first time June 10,during her maiden deployment.
The ship, built with seven and a half tons of World Trade Center steel as part of its hull was accompanied by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, USS Cape St. George (CGG 71); and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) during the transit.
New York’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Will Herrmann said transits, such as this one, require teamwork and coordination between the Navy and Marine Corps team onboard.
“The successful transit of the New York was due to the professional conduct of the crew. Transits are an all-hands evolution and the team did a superb job,” said Herrmann.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway in the region. At its widest, the strait spans 21 miles, and offers the only sea passage into the Persian Gulf. Approximately 20 percent of the world’s petroleum exports transit through the strait.
New York is operating in the region to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
New York is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The USS New York is the sixth ship named for the state of New York, and the fifth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio-class. Her motto is “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget. ”
New York recently participated in Exercise Eager Lion 12 which was held in Jordan. It is a recurring multinational exercise involving 19 nations from five different continents and more than 11,000 participants. The exercise is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships through a joint, whole-of-government approach to meet current and future complex national security challenges.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , June 12, 2012