About

About LHD 8

USS MAKIN ISLAND is homeported in San Diego, California.

MAKIN ISLAND was delivered to the United States Navy April 16, 2009. Following initial training and certification, MAKIN ISLAND transited to the West Coast by circumnavigating South America via the Strait of Magellan. The ship was formally commissioned at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, CA on October 24, 2009.

MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) underwent construction at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. She is the final ship built in the LHD-1 WASP-class, but the first of the class built with Gas Turbine Engines and Electric Drive. Steam is not used on board the ship for heating or water production as in previous LHD class ships. Other significant changes from previous LHD-class ships include Watermist Fire Suppression Systems, a fiber-optic Machinery Control System (which is also integrated with the Damage Control Systems), the SPQ-9B radar and Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). As the final member of the WASP Class LHD's, MAKIN ISLAND is emerging from previous U.S. Navy Amphibious Forces and setting the stage for the under-development successor to the Wasp Class, the LHA (R) Class of Amphibious Landing Ship.

LHD 8

NAMESAKE
USS Makin Island (LHD 8) is named for the raid carried out by Marine Raider Companies A and B, Second Raider Battalion (Carlson’s Raiders) on Japanese held Makin Island on August 17-18, 1942, 10 days after U.S. Marines commenced offensive operations in the Pacific on the island of Guadalcanal. The purpose of the raid was to destroy installations, gain intelligence on the area, and divert Japanese attention and reinforcements from Guadalcanal.The raid was launched from the submarines USS Nautilus and USS Argonaut and succeeded in routing the enemy forces based there and gaining valuable intelligence. The transformational nature of the raid is regarded by many as the U.S. Marine Corps’ first action in the realm of Special
Operations.

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) is the second ship to bear the name of this raid. The first USS Makin Island (CVE 93) was a Casablanca-class escort
aircraft carrier which served during World War II from 1944-1946. Her aircraft provided air cover and conducted tactical air strikes in support of
amphibious landings at Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. In her period of service, she operated underway deployed in the Pacific Theatre for nearly
the entire time. CVE 93 was never damaged by enemy forces while earning five Battle Stars and the Navy Unit Commendation.

MOTTO

"Gung Ho" was the Battle Cry of the Second Raider Battalion and the Motto of USS Makin Island (CVE 93). "Gung Ho" translated means "work together."

View additional ship specifications and other ships in the class.

The Heritage of MAKIN ISLAND --- "Our swords shall play the orators for us." Christopher Marlowe

Battle for Makin Island

USS MAKIN ISLAND (CVE - 93) WW II Escort Carrier

MAKIN ISLAND Commissioning
October 24, 2009
Location: Naval Air Station North Island
Coronado, California

The commissioning ceremony marks the acceptance of a ship as a unit of the operating forces of the United States Navy. At the moment of breaking the commissioning pennant, the ship will “come alive” and the crew will ceremonially run aboard ship. Thereafter the ship is officially referred to as a United States Ship (USS).

USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) was commissioned on October 24, 2009, in Coronado, Calif. The commissioning ceremony was coordinated by the San Diego Council of the United States Navy League.

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2009) More than 5,000 family, friends, distinguished guests and crewmembers were on hand for the official commissioning ceremony of USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island is the eighth and final Wasp Class Landing, Helicopter, Dock (LHD) amphibious assault
ship.

The Crest: Every element of Makin Island's crest has meaning, from the dark blue color alluding to the sea to the inverted blue star that honors U.S. Marine staff Sgt. 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.

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

Unit 100222 Box 1
FPO AP 96672