San Diego’s Namesake Amphibious Warship Forward Deploys to Japan

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego arrived in Sasebo, Japan, this week as the Navy’s newest warship to be forward deployed to Asia.

Sailors manned the rails as the ship arrived on Sept. 19 to replace the USS Green Bay, which will head to Naval Base San Diego after more than nine years in Japan.

“We are excited to welcome USS San Diego, its crew and family members to Sasebo and to the Amphibious Squadron 11 family,” said Capt. Patrick German, commodore of the squadron. “As the newest amphibious ship in (forward deployment), San Diego will further strengthen our strong contingent of ships to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

San Diego will join the amphibious assault ship USS America’s amphibious ready group, which includes the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“The crew is enthusiastic about starting our next chapter with the USS San Diego in Japan,” said Capt. David Walton, the ship’s commanding officer. “After over a month of transiting across the Pacific Ocean, and many more months of preparation and training, this is the moment we have all been focused on.

“We are grateful for the support we received entering into 7th Fleet, and we are ready to immediately fold into forward deployed operations,” Walton said.

With a flight deck for helicopters and tiltrotors, and well deck to launch high-speed, air-cushion landing craft, the San Diego can support a landing force of 700 Marines.