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USS Tuscaloosa (LST 1187)

Named after the city in Alabama, the USS TUSCALOOSA was the 9^th NEWPORT - class Tank Landing Ship and the second ship in the Navy to bear the name. Decommissioned on February 18, 1994, the TUSCALOOSA spent the following years laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Pearl Harbor, Hi. On July 14, 2014, she was sunk as a target during exercise RIMPAC 2014 off the Hawaiian Islands.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS TUSCALOOSA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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USS TUSCALOOSA History:

USS TUSCALOOSA was built by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company at San Diego, California. Her keel was laid on November 23, 1968, and she was launched on September 6, 1969, sponsored by Mrs. Thomas F. Connolly. Following fitting out, acceptance work and trials, TUSCALOOSA was commissioned at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard on October 24, 1970, with Commander Harry W. Kinsley Jr. as her first commanding officer. She entered service with the Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, and was homeported at San Diego.

The closing months of 1970 were occupied by initial training, trials, upkeep and the development of the new ship's amphibious capabilities. On January 4, 1971, TUSCALOOSA operated off the California coast in support of tests involving sensor systems associated with the ballistic-missile submarine USS JOHN C. CALHOUN (SSBN 630). During the spring, she continued an intensive program of training from southern California in preparation for her first overseas assignment.

TUSCALOOSA departed the West Coast on May 18, 1971, carrying components for Quonset huts together with amphibious vehicles, tanks and heavy construction equipment. She reached Okinawa on June 1 and discharged the cargo before continuing by way of Subic Bay in the Philippines to Da Nang, South Vietnam. The American military presence in South Vietnam was then being progressively reduced under the Vietnamization program, and amphibious shipping was increasingly involved in moving American equipment out of the country while still supporting ongoing operations. At Da Nang, TUSCALOOSA embarked Marine Corps equipment for transportation back to the United States. She returned to San Diego on July 6 and entered a substantial post-shakedown availability that occupied much of the remainder of the summer.

Only a few months later, TUSCALOOSA began a much longer Western Pacific deployment. On October 1, 1971, she departed San Diego with Amphibious Squadron 5. The deploying force included USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10), USS DULUTH (LPD 6), USS DENVER (LPD 9), USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36), USS MOBILE (LKA 115) and USS SCHENECTADY (LST 1185). During the initial movement west the force participated in Convoy Exercise 3-71 before continuing across the Pacific.

Once in the Western Pacific, TUSCALOOSA entered the normal Seventh Fleet amphibious cycle of Marine transportation, exercises and readiness operations around Japan, Okinawa and the Philippines. By late November, she was operating with USS MOBILE and USS DENVER in Amphibious Ready Group Bravo. At White Beach, Okinawa, the ships embarked elements of Battalion Landing Team 3/9 with their vehicles and equipment. From November 29 through December 1, the group conducted an amphibious landing exercise in the Zambales training area near Subic Bay. TUSCALOOSA continued operations with the embarked Marine force during the closing weeks of 1971 and ended the year at Sasebo, Japan.

TUSCALOOSA departed Sasebo on January 4, 1972, bound for the Ryukyu Islands. During the voyage, she collided with a Japanese patrol craft. An investigation conducted the following day determined that TUSCALOOSA had suffered no significant structural damage, and she was able to continue. At Okinawa, she embarked Marines for transportation to Yokosuka. Work was subsequently carried out in Japan on her forward bow-ramp installation before she resumed operations.

TUSCALOOSA arrived at Subic Bay on February 15, 1972. There, she loaded electrical generators for delivery to Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Further movements took her between the Philippines, Japan and Okinawa while she transported Marine personnel and equipment and participated in amphibious preparations. During late February, she operated in company with USS DENVER and USS MOBILE, although the ships did not remain together continuously as their assignments diverged.

The military situation changed dramatically when North Vietnam began the Easter Offensive at the end of March 1972. Large conventional North Vietnamese formations crossed the Demilitarized Zone and attacked on several fronts in South Vietnam. The United States responded by rapidly reinforcing naval and air forces around Southeast Asia. TUSCALOOSA proceeded toward the Vietnamese theater with other Seventh Fleet amphibious units and arrived on Yankee Station on April 6. From April 6 through May 3, TUSCALOOSA remained in the Gulf of Tonkin while American naval forces responded to the North Vietnamese offensive. The amphibious force provided a mobile reserve and transported Marine personnel and equipment while carrier aviation and naval gunfire were intensified. After leaving the Gulf of Tonkin, TUSCALOOSA moved through Da Nang to Subic Bay before returning to Vietnamese waters. She continued operations around Da Nang and the Gulf of Tonkin during the remainder of May.

Commander Louis Dale Mott relieved Commander Kinsley on May 3, 1972. During the following weeks, TUSCALOOSA also became involved in contingency movements associated with Thailand. She transported Marine Corps equipment and tools belonging to a Navy construction battalion as American forces were redistributed throughout Southeast Asia in response to the offensive and to the expansion of air operations against North Vietnam. The assignment contributed to extending what had originally been planned as a substantially shorter deployment to approximately ten months.

On May 25, TUSCALOOSA departed the Gulf of Tonkin area with USS DENVER, USS MOBILE and USS CAYUGA (LST 1186), proceeding toward Okinawa. The ships reached Buckner Bay on May 28, where Marines and cargo were discharged. TUSCALOOSA subsequently continued her own Seventh Fleet assignments while the other ships moved onward to Japan. After completing her extended Vietnam-related operations and associated movements around Southeast Asia, TUSCALOOSA eventually returned to the United States. Her Vietnam service during 1971 and 1972 earned campaign participation credit, and the ship ultimately received four campaign stars for Vietnam service over the course of her career.

Following her return, TUSCALOOSA resumed West Coast operations and amphibious training. On August 29, 1973, she again departed for the Western Pacific. Her cargo included Project Handclasp material intended for distribution in the Philippines. During the deployment, she participated with Philippine forces in Operation Pagasa II and continued operating from Subic Bay as part of the Seventh Fleet amphibious organization. The deployment subsequently took TUSCALOOSA to Hong Kong and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Commander George William MacKay relieved Commander Mott on September 19. By November, TUSCALOOSA was operating with the amphibious force carrying elements of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit.

On November 24, 1973, severe weather damaged TUSCALOOSA's forward bow-ramp installation while the ship was moving toward Taiwan. The damage was sufficiently serious to affect her ability to continue normal amphibious operations. After reaching Kaohsiung, all embarked elements of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit were transferred from TUSCALOOSA to USS DULUTH. USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST 1195), which had been operating with another amphibious ready group, was directed to replace TUSCALOOSA. Once the relief arrangement was completed, TUSCALOOSA proceeded toward Subic Bay for extensive repairs.

The ship resumed operations after the repairs and began 1974 with combined training involving South Korean forces during Operation Fly Away. She subsequently visited Keelung, Taiwan, in late January. On February 11, TUSCALOOSA departed Okinawa for the United States and returned to the West Coast by way of Pearl Harbor.

A major overhaul followed. TUSCALOOSA entered Todd Shipyards at Seattle, Washington, on July 9, 1974. During the yard period, members of her crew became involved in a separate emergency at sea. On August 3, an 11-man rescue and assistance party from TUSCALOOSA joined USS MOCTOBI (ATF 105) in assisting USNS LIPAN (T-ATF 85), which had been involved in a collision in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and was disabled and in danger of sinking. The salvage effort continued for approximately three days and stabilized USNS LIPAN sufficiently for her to return to port for repairs.

TUSCALOOSA completed her overhaul and formally returned to operational status on December 12, 1974. She spent the opening months of 1975 operating along the California coast and preparing for another deployment. Events in Southeast Asia would soon transform that deployment into one of the most significant periods of her service.

On April 1, 1975, TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego in company with USS BARBOUR COUNTY and two South Korean mine-warfare vessels. The ships stopped briefly at Pearl Harbor on April 6 before continuing westward. TUSCALOOSA reached Okinawa on April 18. By then, the Republic of Vietnam was collapsing rapidly under the final North Vietnamese offensive. Cargo operations were carried out urgently, and TUSCALOOSA departed Okinawa on April 19 at high speed for the Philippines, arriving at Subic Bay on April 21.

At Subic Bay, TUSCALOOSA embarked approximately 280 naval personnel who had missed the short-notice departures of USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65), USS MIDWAY (CVA 41) and USS HANCOCK (CVA 19), all of which had sailed in connection with the deteriorating situation in Vietnam. Operation Frequent Wind, the final helicopter evacuation of American personnel and designated Vietnamese from Saigon, was conducted on April 29 and April 30. TUSCALOOSA formed part of the wider amphibious and support organization associated with the evacuation.

After the fall of South Vietnam, TUSCALOOSA became heavily involved in Operation New Life, the movement of former Republic of Vietnam Navy ships and refugees toward the Philippines. She joined a large convoy that included USS KIRK (DE 1087), USS COOK (DE 1083), USS DENVER, USS BARBOUR COUNTY, USS DELIVER (ARS 23), USS MOBILE, USS VEGA (AF 59), USS ABNAKI (ATF 96), USS FLINT (AE 32), USNS LIPAN and numerous former South Vietnamese naval vessels carrying large numbers of refugees.

The convoy passage to the Philippines lasted seven days. During that time, TUSCALOOSA distributed more than 200 pallets of food and medical supplies per day. Her crew sent repair and salvage teams to former South Vietnamese ships experiencing machinery and structural problems, helping to keep vessels afloat during the slow transit. Two craft deteriorated to the point that their occupants had to be evacuated; after abandonment, TUSCALOOSA sank them with gunfire to prevent them from remaining hazards to navigation. Four additional former South Vietnamese vessels were temporarily placed under American control, with four TUSCALOOSA officers assigned to command them during the movement. In total, the convoy included 26 former Republic of Vietnam Navy vessels and carried tens of thousands of displaced people.

The flotilla reached Subic Bay on May 7. Before the former South Vietnamese warships entered Philippine territorial waters, American personnel boarded them to secure weapons and complete arrangements for their entry. The complex operation brought the refugees and ships safely into the Philippines and prevented a substantial part of the former South Vietnamese naval force from being captured by North Vietnam. TUSCALOOSA received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her contribution.

After completion of the convoy mission, TUSCALOOSA proceeded from Subic Bay to Okinawa. Shortly after arrival, she was ordered to make best possible speed toward the Gulf of Thailand in connection with another evacuation contingency. Four days later, when she was approaching the intended operating area, the orders were cancelled because the evacuation had already been completed. TUSCALOOSA turned back and resumed her normal Seventh Fleet duties.

Commander Rudolph Richard Black relieved Commander MacKay on August 7, 1975. TUSCALOOSA continued Western Pacific operations through the autumn before returning to the United States. She arrived at the West Coast on November 17.

During 1976, TUSCALOOSA remained in Pacific Fleet service, conducting maintenance, inspections, local operations and amphibious training. These activities prepared the ship for another extended deployment the following year.

TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego on March 29, 1977, for the Western Pacific with Amphibious Squadron 7. Other ships associated with the deployment included USS JUNEAU (LPD 10), USS ST. LOUIS (LKA 116), USS ALAMO (LSD 33), USS ANCHORAGE, USS SCHENECTADY and USS CAYUGA. By May 25, 1977, TUSCALOOSA was serving with Amphibious Ready Group Bravo together with USS JUNEAU, USS ALAMO and USS SCHENECTADY. Company C of Battalion Landing Team 1/9 was embarked aboard TUSCALOOSA. From May 31 through June 4, the company participated in Exercise Quick Jab IX at Tinian, part of a series of amphibious raid and landing exercises intended to maintain Marine and Navy readiness in the Mariana Islands.

During July, the amphibious force moved toward South Korea. By July 6, TUSCALOOSA was at Pusan while elements of the group assembled for a battalion landing exercise near Pohang. From July 8 through July 14 the participating force conducted amphibious operations with South Korean units. Other American ships associated with the exercise included USS JUNEAU, USS ALAMO, USS SCHENECTADY, USS BAUSELL (DD 845) and USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO 107).

Commander Robert John Sands relieved Commander Black on September 24, 1977. TUSCALOOSA continued Seventh Fleet operations through the autumn and began the eastbound Pacific crossing with returning amphibious units late in October. She arrived at San Diego on November 17, 1977.

Early 1978 brought an unusual assignment. TUSCALOOSA was selected to undergo full-scale shock testing as the representative NEWPORT-class LST. Explosive charges were detonated underwater near the ship off southern California to determine the ability of the hull, propulsion machinery and installed equipment to withstand shock effects that could be encountered in combat. Data collected during the trials had relevance to the material survivability of other members of the class. Following the shock-test program, TUSCALOOSA entered a regular overhaul at San Diego on February 3, 1978. The yard period occupied most of the year and was completed on December 10. The extensive maintenance restored propulsion and auxiliary machinery and prepared the ship for another operational cycle.

After post-overhaul work and training during the first half of 1979, TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego on July 23 with Amphibious Squadron 5. The deploying squadron included USS TRIPOLI, USS DULUTH, USS JUNEAU, USS THOMASTON (LSD 28), USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39) and USS BRISTOL COUNTY (LST 1198). After crossing the Pacific, the squadron entered Seventh Fleet service. In late August, Amphibious Squadron 5 participated in Exercise Fortress Gale on Okinawa. The exercise brought together Navy and Marine Corps units for large-scale amphibious training. TUSCALOOSA subsequently continued operations through Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and the Philippines as the squadron carried and exercised Marine landing forces.

The deployment later extended south toward Australia. During October, Amphibious Squadron 5 participated in Exercise Kangaroo III in the Shoalwater Bay area with Australian and New Zealand forces. The exercise involved maritime, air and amphibious activity on a considerably larger scale than routine landing exercises and provided combined training among allied forces. After completing the Australian phase, the squadron returned toward the normal Seventh Fleet operating area. By November, TUSCALOOSA was serving in Amphibious Ready Group Bravo with USS JUNEAU and USS THOMASTON. Commander William Justin Mitchell relieved Commander Sands on October 27, 1979. The deployment continued into 1980 before TUSCALOOSA returned to the United States and resumed West Coast operations.

During 1981, TUSCALOOSA continued Pacific Fleet training, maintenance and readiness work. Commander John Dwyer White II assumed command on September 25.

On April 2, 1982, TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego as part of a large amphibious movement toward Hawaii. The force included USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), USS POINT DEFIANCE (LSD 31), USS PEORIA (LST 1183), USS BRISTOL COUNTY, USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189), USS NEW ORLEANS and USS MOBILE. The ships reached Pearl Harbor on April 9. Beginning on April 12, they participated in Rim of the Pacific 82, which brought together United States and allied naval forces for approximately ten days of combined maritime and amphibious training around Hawaii.

Later that year, TUSCALOOSA began a considerably longer deployment. On August 24, 1982, she departed with Amphibious Squadron 5 for the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The complete squadron included USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3), USS OGDEN (LPD 5), USS THOMASTON, USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40), USS CAYUGA and TUSCALOOSA. The 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, including Battalion Landing Team 2/3, was embarked across the force. The deployment extended beyond the normal western Pacific operating area into the Indian Ocean. At the time, the United States maintained a substantial naval presence in Southwest Asian waters because of the Iran-Iraq War, continuing instability surrounding Afghanistan and the strategic importance of the approaches to the Persian Gulf.

The squadron frequently divided into smaller amphibious ready groups according to operational requirements. USS BELLEAU WOOD, USS OGDEN and USS CAYUGA, for example, operated together during part of the deployment as Amphibious Ready Group Alfa, while TUSCALOOSA and the remaining ships carried out other elements of the squadron schedule.

From November 29 through December 8, the deployed amphibious force participated in Exercise Jade Tiger in the Indian Ocean region. The deployment also included movements through East and Southeast Asia and port calls in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia over the course of the cruise. TUSCALOOSA returned to San Diego with Amphibious Squadron 5 on February 24, 1983.

Commander David James Montgomery relieved Commander White on October 22, 1983. During the following months, TUSCALOOSA underwent maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for another overseas deployment.

On October 18, 1984, TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego with Amphibious Squadron 1. The force included USS TARAWA (LHA 1), USS DULUTH, USS JUNEAU, USS ST. LOUIS and USS MOUNT VERNON. The deployment began in conjunction with major Pacific Fleet exercises. From October 29 through November 2, the amphibious force participated in Exercise Bell Volcano 85-1 in Hawaiian waters. After completion of the Hawaiian phase, the squadron continued west into the Seventh Fleet area. During the closing days of December, USS TARAWA, USS DULUTH and TUSCALOOSA made a visit to Hong Kong before the amphibious force continued into the Indian Ocean and South Asian region.

On January 10, 1985, TUSCALOOSA arrived at Chittagong, Bangladesh. The call represented the first visit by a United States Navy ship to Bangladesh. The visit occurred less than 14 years after the country's independence and formed part of broader American naval engagement with South Asian countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

TUSCALOOSA subsequently returned toward East Asia and operated with Amphibious Squadron 1 during Exercise Team Spirit 85 in South Korea. The large annual combined American-South Korean exercise tested reinforcement and defense of the Korean Peninsula and included a major amphibious phase. The deployed amphibious squadron took part in landing operations at Tok Sok Ri. TUSCALOOSA completed the deployment and returned to the United States with the squadron during May 1985.

Soon after returning, she was assigned an unusual escort mission involving one of the most historically significant submarines in the United States Navy. On May 28, 1985, the defueled former nuclear-powered submarine ex-USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) began its tow from Mare Island toward the Panama Canal during the first stage of its transfer to Groton, Connecticut, where it was to be preserved. USS QUAPAW (ATF 110) performed the principal towing duty during the Pacific portion, while TUSCALOOSA and USS HAYLER (DD 997) provided escort. USS RECOVERY (ARS 43) was involved in the wider transfer operation. TUSCALOOSA's role ended after the Pacific portion as the former submarine continued through the Panama Canal and toward the East Coast.

Commander Michael Don Barker assumed command on January 13, 1986. During the opening months of that year, TUSCALOOSA underwent maintenance and prepared for another Western Pacific deployment. On April 1, she was documented in the floating dry dock USS STEADFAST (AFDM 14) at San Diego. Commander Helmuth Carl Schlichting Jr. relieved Commander Barker on May 16.

TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego on June 19, 1986, with USS TARAWA, USS JUNEAU and USS FRESNO (LST 1182). The 13th Marine Amphibious Unit was embarked across the amphibious group. The initial movement included Transit Exercise 86-18. Instead of proceeding immediately over the normal central Pacific route, the force operated north toward Alaska. From July 2 through July 5, it participated in Exercise Kernel Potlatch 86-1 near Adak in the Aleutian Islands. The group subsequently began its westward transit and passed to Seventh Fleet operational control on July 7.

During the deployment, the Amphibious Squadron 1 ships participated in a series of multinational exercises. These included Cobra Gold 86 with Thailand, Valiant Usher 86-4 and Valiant Blitz 87-1. The exercises combined amphibious landing practice with joint and combined operations involving Marine and allied forces in several parts of East and Southeast Asia. The deployment also extended into the Indian Ocean. TUSCALOOSA entered that operating area on August 30, following USS JUNEAU and preceding USS TARAWA and USS FRESNO. All four amphibious ships departed the Indian Ocean area on September 22 and resumed Western Pacific operations before beginning the eastbound journey home. TUSCALOOSA returned to San Diego on December 19, 1986, exactly six months after departure.

During 1987 and 1988, she remained in Pacific Fleet service, alternating maintenance and inspections with amphibious training and local operations. Commander Harvey John Gannon Jr. relieved Commander Schlichting on August 19, 1988.

A major Pacific exercise dominated the following year. TUSCALOOSA departed San Diego on September 18, 1989, for Pacific Exercise 89. PacEx 89 involved approximately 100 United States Navy ships and allied forces, including three aircraft carrier battle groups, battleship forces and amphibious units. Much of the exercise took place in the northern Pacific and around the Aleutian Islands and tested fleet command and control, logistics and large-scale maritime operations at a time when Cold War relations were beginning to change but both superpowers still maintained extensive naval forces.

During December 1989, while political instability and an attempted coup challenged the Philippine government, TUSCALOOSA was in the Subic Bay area supporting contingency preparations. Marines from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines were embarked aboard the ship and prepared for possible operations ashore, including a contingency landing at Green Beach. The crisis did not develop into a major amphibious intervention.

Early 1990 brought another unusual assignment. On January 7, an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, call sign Lonewolf 47, assigned to an embarked detachment aboard USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57), crashed into the sea approximately 80 nautical miles off Vietnam. All three members of the helicopter crew were rescued. On January 12, TUSCALOOSA and USNS SIOUX (T-ATF 171) arrived in the area to relieve USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN and support recovery preparations. TUSCALOOSA provided assistance while the Military Sealift Command tug and salvage personnel prepared to recover the helicopter wreckage. USNS SIOUX successfully recovered the aircraft on January 19.

TUSCALOOSA subsequently resumed the amphibious phase of her deployment. On January 30, she rendezvoused with USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8) while proceeding toward Subic Bay for Exercise Valiant Usher 90-4. After completing the Philippine exercise the ship moved north in preparation for Team Spirit 90 in South Korea. Team Spirit was the annual large-scale combined American-South Korean exercise designed to rehearse reinforcement and defense of the Korean Peninsula. During March 1990, TUSCALOOSA operated in the Pohang area, moving Marines, vehicles and support equipment.

On March 14, during the amphibious phase of Team Spirit 90, TUSCALOOSA was positioned at the shoreline near Pohang. Vehicles and heavy equipment were discharged directly ashore, and a bulk-fuel line was established between the ship and the beach.

Commander Richard Allan Silvers relieved Commander Gannon on August 21, 1990. TUSCALOOSA continued Pacific Fleet operations through the remainder of 1990 and 1991. Although the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 led to the deployment of numerous Pacific Fleet amphibious ships to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, TUSCALOOSA was not among the principal amphibious ships assigned to those Gulf War task groups.

Her next major deployment began on January 6, 1992. TUSCALOOSA deployed with Amphibious Squadron 5 and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable. Other ships included USS OKINAWA, USS DULUTH, USS FORT McHENRY (LSD 43) and USS DURHAM (LKA 114). The principal Marine elements embarked across the force included Battalion Landing Team 1/1, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 and Marine Service Support Group 13. The deployment carried the force through the Western Pacific and into the Indian Ocean and Central Command areas. During late March and early April, the amphibious group operated in the vicinity of Malindi, Kenya.

Toward the end of April, the amphibious ships separated for maintenance and port visits. TUSCALOOSA and USS FORT McHENRY proceeded toward Lumut, Malaysia, with arrival planned for May 4, while USS OKINAWA, USS DULUTH and USS DURHAM moved toward Singapore. TUSCALOOSA and USS FORT McHENRY completed the Malaysian maintenance and port-visit period before the force reassembled.

By late May, the amphibious force was proceeding toward Subic Bay, with arrival scheduled for June 3. The deployment occurred during the final months of the long American naval presence at Subic Bay following the Philippine Senate's rejection of a new basing agreement and the disruption caused by the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit's deployment officially extended through July 6, 1992. TUSCALOOSA returned to the United States with the amphibious force in early July, completing what became her last fully documented extended overseas deployment.

Commander Thomas John Hirsch relieved Commander Silvers on August 13, 1992. TUSCALOOSA remained in Pacific Fleet service during 1993, conducting maintenance, training and readiness operations while the Navy simultaneously reduced its force structure after the Cold War. By then, the NEWPORT-class was being progressively retired from American service. Lieutenant Commander Mark George Fischer assumed command on January 6, 1994, as TUSCALOOSA entered the final phase of her commissioned career. Preparations increasingly concentrated on inactivation rather than another deployment.

USS TUSCALOOSA was decommissioned at San Diego on February 18, 1994, after more than 23 years of commissioned service. She was subsequently transferred to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and remained in reserve there for many years. Unlike several other NEWPORT-class ships, she was not transferred to a foreign navy. The inactive TUSCALOOSA remained at Pearl Harbor throughout the remainder of the 1990s and into the following decade. On December 1, 2008, she was formally stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, ending her administrative status as a United States Navy vessel.

The hull remained at Pearl Harbor for several more years before being selected as a target for Rim of the Pacific 2014. Before the sinking exercise, reusable equipment and environmentally regulated materials were removed in preparation for use as a live-fire target. On July 12, 2014, former TUSCALOOSA departed Pearl Harbor under tow by USNS SALVOR (T-ARS 52). The former LST was taken approximately 57 nautical miles northwest of Kauai to a target area where the Pacific is roughly 15,000 feet deep. On July 14, forces from Brunei, Canada, Japan and the United States conducted a multinational sinking exercise against the unmanned former TUSCALOOSA. Surface ships and aircraft employed live weapons during the event as the participating forces practiced detection, targeting, coordinated attack and battle-damage assessment against a surface target. The former USS TUSCALOOSA sank at approximately 12:15 p.m. on July 14, 2014.

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USS TUSCALOOSA Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me and show the TUSCALOOSA laid-up at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on March 20, 2010.

The photos below were taken by me and show the TUSCALOOSA laid-up at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on March 6, 2012.

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