The future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) payed a visit to Callao, Peru, on August 31. This was the final scheduled port visit of her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas”.
During the visit, Sailors and Marines assigned to America and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) South conducted bilateral exercises with the Peruvian Navy, offered ship tours, hosted a reception for Peruvian guests and distinguished officials, participated in friendly sporting competitions and took part in local community relations projects.
The ship has previously completed port visits to Cartagena, Colombia; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Valparaiso, Chile; and transited the Strait of Magellan at the southernmost point of continental South America. During the transit, America has also conducted bilateral engagements with other valued partners in the area of responsibility such as Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay, testing the ship’s capabilities and strengthening partnerships within the 4th Fleet area of responsibility.
America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tawara-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation “big-deck” amphibious ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco.
[mappress]