The United States Navy, in a poignant tribute to nearly two decades of military engagement, has christened its latest America-class amphibious assault ship the USS Helmand Province. The naming ceremony, announced by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, took place during the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington, D.C., and stands as a testament to the sacrifices made by the Marines and Sailors in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan.
The future LHA-10, USS Helmand Province, commemorates the arduous campaign in Helmand, a region notorious as the heart of the opium trade and a Taliban stronghold. “In keeping with naval tradition of naming our Navy’s amphibious assault ships after U.S. Marine Corps battles,” Del Toro highlighted the courage of the forces who fought there, stating, “I am honored to announce today that the future LHA-10 will be named USS Helmand Province, recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of our Marines and Sailors who fought for almost 20 years in the mountains of Afghanistan.”
Marine commandant Gen. Eric Smith, who commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 during the Helmand campaign, reflected on the area’s significant history for Marines. “From 2009 to 2014 this region was the center of efforts to give stability and security to a troubled land,” Smith remarked. His wife, Trish Smith, was named as the sponsor for the warship, a traditional role linking the ship, its crew, and the nation they serve.
The dedication of the ship to the Helmand campaign is only the second occasion a Navy vessel has been named after a post-9/11 military presence, with the first being the USS Fallujah, commemorating the battles in Iraq. The LHA-10, with a displacement of around 45,000 tons and capability of carrying two Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercraft, is set to be the third Flight I America-class ship, following the USS Bougainville (LHA-8) and USS Fallujah.
These warships are conceived as versatile strike and assault delivery platforms, enabling Marines to deploy ashore and support a broad range of missions, from disaster relief to counter-terrorism. The christening of the USS Helmand Province bears a historical weight beyond its military function. It symbolically carries the legacy of Marines who, in the words of Commandant Smith, “wrote another chapter in the storied history of our Corps there, as warriors, but also as peacebuilders.” The dedication also poignantly remembers the last fatal attack on U.S. service members in Afghanistan during the withdrawal operations in August 2021, where a suicide bombing claimed the lives of 11 Marines, a sailor, and a soldier.
Relevant articles:
– SECNAV Del Toro Names Next Big Deck Amphib USS Helmand Province, USNI News
– Navy Names Next Amphibious Assault Ship USS Helmand Province, The War Zone
– Navy’s Newest Warship Named for Fierce Marine Corps Campaign in Afghanistan, Military.com
– Navy will name its next assault ship ‘USS Helmand Province’ to honor fierce Marine battlefields, Task & Purpose