VMA 223 VMA 223 Those Tarawa class vessels were great. I believe they decommmisioned them too early, should have been able to get 40-50 years out of their hulls.
As it was, the Nassau was decommissioned 31 March 2011 after being commissioned in 1979, so only 32 years. But that’s the Obama admin and their cohorts for you.
They’re keeping her in reserve and the only Tarawa class left is the USS Peleliu (LHA-5). She will probably be decommissioned once the America is commissioned, leaving nine large Amphibious ready groups. (Eight Wasp class and the One America).
The Belleau Wood (LHA-3) was decommissioned in 2005 and has already had a SINKEX completed on her. Saipan (LHA-2 )was decomm’ed in 2007 and already sold for scrap.
All of them getting about 32 years in.
Anyhow, sad to see them go.