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Navy’s First Hybrid Ship Celebrates Commissioning Anniversary

October 27, 2015 – SAN DIEGO (NNS) — The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) celebrated her sixth commissioning anniversary, Oct. 24.

The ship was formally commissioned in 2009 aboard Naval Air Station North Island.

Although Makin Island is the eighth and last Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, she was the first built with gas turbines and an electric drive auxiliary propulsion system.

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With this unique propulsion system, the Navy expects to see fuel savings of more than $250 million over the course of the ship’s life cycle – a testament to the Navy’s commitment to energy awareness and conservation.

Makin Island embarks, transports, and deploys more than 3,500 Sailors and Marines. The ship can accommodate three landing craft air cushion, an AV-8B Harrier II aircraft squadron, and a full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters and amphibious vehicles, to perform sea control and limited power-projection missions.

During her first two deployments, the ship saved more than six million gallons of fuel, resulting in an estimated cost savings in excess of $22 million. She served as the platform for the first operational deployment of the four-blade AH-1Z Viper helicopter. The ship is planned to be Joint Strike Fighter capable in 2017.

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Makin Island’s most recent deployment included transiting nearly 35,000 nautical miles over 115 consecutive days at-sea to conduct air strikes in the 5th Fleet area of operations. The ship participated in Exercise Red Reef 15 with Saudi Arabian forces, and performed Marine sustainment exercises in Kuwait and Djibouti.

Makin Island is named for the daring raid carried out by Marine Corps Companies Alpha and Bravo, Second Raider Battalion, on the Japanese-held Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, on 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.

Twenty-three Navy Crosses were awarded for actions during the raid, including to the raid’s leader, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evans Carlson, and executive officer Marine Corps Maj. James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin Roosevelt. Marine Corps Sgt. Clyde Thomason was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism during the raid and was the first enlisted Marine to be so honored during World War II.

One previous ship, a Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier (1944-1946), has borne the name Makin Island, and received five battle stars for World War II service.

Makin Island is in the home stretch of a phased maintenance availability at Naval Base San Diego and will soon commence basic phase training in preparation for the ship’s third deployment in late 2016.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corwin Colbert

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DoD Must Be More Agile in Technology Development

APRIL 19, 2018, Washington D.C. – The Defense Department must embrace a more agile approach to technology development to keep pace with rapidly evolving adversaries, the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering told lawmakers yesterday. Michael D. Griffin appeared before the House Armed Services Committee for a hearing on promoting DoD’s culture of innovation. […]

First Female Marine Students Arrive at SOI-West

MARCH 8, 2018, Camp Pendleton, CA – This marks the first male-female integrated Marine Combat Training Company on the West Coast. “It is important, one team one fight, at the end of the day it’s to show the Marine Corps can produce [Marines] regardless of gender and complete any mission.” Said Sgt. Ambar Gonzalez, a […]

The Forever GI Bill

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, also known as the “Forever GI Bill,” was signed into law on August 17, 2017, and brings significant changes to Veterans’ education benefits over the next few years. Most enhance or expand education benefits for Veterans, servicemembers, families and survivors. Here’s a list of the changes and […]

The Soldier Doctor That Diagnoses Helicopters

MARCH 29, 2018, Taji Military Complex, Iraq – A torque wrench squeals as it secures the bolts of a forward support tube onto a UH-60 Black Hawk engine in a maintenance shop March 23. U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 126 Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion) aircraft power plant repairer Spc Kathleen Scanlon, works with her […]

The Three Biggest Mistakes Service Members are Making With Their Money

APRIL 4, 2018, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA – Since April is Financial Literacy Month, Joe Chesloski, a personal financial counselor with more than 20 years of business and finance experience, offered his perspective on the biggest mistakes service members make with their money — and how those mistakes can be avoided. BE CAUTIOUS WITH […]

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