USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

- under construction -

USS MAKIN ISLAND is the eighth and final WASP-class Amphibious Assault Ship and the second ship in the Navy to bear the name. The MAKIN ISLAND is unique because she's the only ship in her class powered by LM 2500+ Gas Turbine Engines and Electric Drive. Additionally, MAKIN ISLAND is the only LHD to feature an all electric design - no steam is used onboard MAKIN ISLAND. As the final member of the WASP-class, MAKIN ISLAND is transforming the US Navy Amphibious Forces and setting the stage for the under-development successor to the WASP-class, the LHA (R) class of Amphibious Landing Ships.

General Characteristics:

Awarded: April 19, 2002

Keel laid: February 14, 2004

Launched: September 22, 2006

Commissioned: 2009

Builder: Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss.

Propulsion system: 2 General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines, 2 electro motors, 6 diesel generators

Propellers: two

Aircraft elevators: two

Length: 840 feet (256 meters)

Flight Deck Width: 140 feet (42.6 meters)

Beam: 106 feet (32,.3 meters)

Draft: 26,5 feet (8.1 meters)

Displacement: approx. 40,500 tons full load

Speed: 23 knots

Aircraft: (depends upon mission)

6 AV-8B Harrier attack planes	or	6 AV-8B Harrier attack planes
4 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helis		12 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
12 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters		9 CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters
9 CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters
4 UH-1N Huey helicopters
Assault:	or	Sea Control:
42 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters		20 AV-8B Harrier attack planes
		6 ASW helicopters

Well deck capacity: three LCAC or two LCU or six LCM-8 or 40 Amphibious Assault Vessels (AAV) (normal) or 61 AAVs (stowed)

Crew: Ship: 73 officers, 1,009 enlisted Marine Detachment: 1,894

Armament: two Mk-29 NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, eight Mk-33 .50 cal. machine guns, two Rolling Airframe Missile Systems

Homeport: San Diego, Calif.

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Crew List:

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

Click here to view the list.

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Click here to see which USS MAKIN ISLAND memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The shield border shape and thickness symbolize Makin Island, the atoll in the Gilbert Islands and honors the 30 Marine Raiders who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country there. The five stars commemorate the five battle stars awarded to CVE-93 during World War II. The USMC Raider Crest, a blue shield with skull and five stars in the shape of the Southern Cross commemorates Marine Raider Companies A and B, Second Raider Battalion. The trident, symbol of sea prowess, with its three tines represents the future contributions of USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8), its associated Expeditionary Strike Group, and USMC main battery in the air, across the surface, and under the sea. The trident also symbolizes the contributions that were made in these areas of Sea Power by the Second Raider Battalion and USS MAKIN ISLAND (CVE 93).

The Crest:

The inverted blue star honors SSGT Thomason, who distinguished himself during the Makin Island Raid and was the first enlisted U.S. Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. The embedded stylized cross alludes to the Navy Cross and commemorates the 23 awarded to Carlson’s Raiders after Makin Island. The Phoenix is the symbol of transformation and new beginnings. It has two heads, one looking to the past and the other to the future representing MAKIN ISLAND’s role as the transformational bridge between the LHD class and the next generation of amphibious capital ships. The flames and lightning bolts below the Phoenix symbolize the rebirth of amphibious capital ships with Gas Turbines, Electric Drive and all-electric auxiliaries. In the wreath below the flames, blue represents the US Navy and the United States. White represents integrity and loyalty. The two colors interwoven in the wreath represent how these two responsibilities are forever intertwined.

The Supporters:

A USN Officer’s Sword, 1917 Naval NCO Cutlass, USMC Officer’s Mameluke and a 1840 USMC NCO Sword were chosen to represent the teamwork required of Officer and Enlisted, Navy and Marine Corps for USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) to accomplish her mission.

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About the Ship's Name:

USS MAKIN ISLAND is the second ship in the Navy to honor the daring raid carried out by Marine Corps Companies A and B, Second Raider Battalion, on Japanese-held Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, Aug. 17-18, 1942.

The raid was launched from the submarines USS NAUTILUS and USS ARGONAUT and succeeded in routing the enemy forces based there, gaining valuable intelligence. The raid's leader, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evan Carlson was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions, while Marine Corps Sgt. Clyde Thompson, was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism and was the first enlisted Marine to be so honored during World War II.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael Hagee, cited the transformational nature of the engagement in a letter to Secretary Johnson and noted that many considered the raid the Marine Corps' first action in the realm of special operations.

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USS MAKIN ISLAND Contruction Gallery:

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