Ashland (LSD 48) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP ' S MISSION ASHLAND (LSD 48) is the eighth and last ship of the WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) Class ships to be commissioned. The keel was laid down on 4 April 1988 at New Orleans. Louisiana, by Avondale Industries. Incorporated and launched on 1 1 November 1988 by the ship ' s sponsor. Mrs. Kathleen Foley, wife of ADM S. R. Foley Jr. (Ret). The ship takes its name from ASHLAND, the Kentucky home of Henry Clay, one of our nation ' s greatest statesmen. It w as designed by noted architect Benjamin H. Latrobe. Latrobe was appointed surveyor for the United States Government in 1 80. by President Thomas Jefferson. Located in Lexington, KY. ASHLAND, now a historical site was named tor the profusion ot ash trees on the Clay Estate. Landing Ship Dock (LSD 48 ) will be the second ship ever to beiir the name ASHLAND. The lust ship to bear the name of ASHLAND was LSD- 1. built by the Moore Drydock Co. at Oakland. California in 1942, The ship earned seven battle stars during impressive service in World War II. After the war. she was decommissioned in March 144(x recommissioned in December 1950 due to the outbreak of the Korean contlicl and decommissioned again in Non ember 1 4(.g, at which time her name was struck from the Navy ' s list of ships. The mission of ASHLAND (LSD 48) is to transport Marines with their combat equipment lo designated areas the world, and then to launch and support assault landing craft and helicopters during amphibious operations agi shores. ASHLAND carries the new Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles (LCAC). LCACs are non-displacement ass; craft capable of exceeding 40 knots while carrying a 60 ton pay load. Using this versatile new craft, the ship is able an amphibious assault against a wider range of beaches at distances which before were not operationally leasibk designated a Landing Ship Dock (LSD), ASHLAND accomplishes her mission through the use of a well deck u hic to recover and launch landinu craft. After leaving the ship, the assault craft are directed towards the shore in the slii information Center (CIC). A 440 foot well deck capable of holding four LCACs, a flight deck able lo land and I two CH-S. ' helicopters, the Navy latest diesel propulsion and engineering technology. ad anced communicaiion systems. 20 and 60 ton cranes, expanded repair facilities, complete medical antl denial taciliiics. ami troop ivriiinu dations for over .500 embarked Marines, make ASHLAND the leading edge of amplubions uarfare ni llic nmetie throughinit linst hostile ault landing to caiT out :.Offic ' ially h is Hooded ijVs Combat aunch up to ibai