USS San Diego to relocate to Japan

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The USS San Diego (LPD-22) , which is the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to have San Diego in its name, will be deployed to Sasebo, Japan for a decade, military officials said.

The amphibious transport dock will replace USS Green Bay (LPD 20), which will return to its new homeport of San Diego, the Navy said in a news release.

Commissioned in 2012, the USS San Diego was involved earlier this year in NASA’s Artemis II flight crew’s recovery test in preparation for their mission around the Moon set for 2025.

“The forward presence of San Diego supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan, enhances the national security of the United States and improves its ability to protect strategic interests,” the Navy said. “San Diego will directly support the Defense Strategic Guidance to posture the most capable units forward in the Indo-Pacific Region.”

The Navy says it requires ships capable of “rapid response times with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear in the timeliest manner” to conduct security in the Indo-Pacific.

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