In her amphibious assault role, the USS San Antonio can field a variety of sea/land-going systems. This includes up to fourteen Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles (EFV), two LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushioned) hovercraft systems or one LCU (Landing Craft Utility) in place of the two LCACs. These landing craft are supplemented by the vessels ability to field several makes of rotary aircraft as well and include CH-46 Sea Knight twin-rotor and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport type helicopters serviced by the aft flight deck. Two aircraft can be held in the hangar decks (depending on type) below and take-off and landings can be handled simultaneously. A large well deck provides service support for the landing craft.
The USS San Antonio was first ordered in 1996 and laid down in 2000 by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. She was launched in 2003 and officially commissioned in 2006. The vessel makes her home port at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, USA. The ship fights under the banner of "Never Retreat, Never Surrender". The USS San Antonio was named after the US city in the state of Texas, the site of the battle of the Alamo.
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