USS America (LHA 6)

USS America Earns Fifth Consecutive Battle Effectiveness Award

250414-N-TW227-1007 SASEBO, Japan (April 14, 2025) Capt. Ethan M. Rule, commanding officer of USS America (LHA 6), right, poses for a photo alongside Capt. Patrick German, Commodore Amphibious Squadron 11 (CPR 11), left, with the battle efficiency award for the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the ship’s hangar bay, April 14. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth)

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Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melset

VIRIN: 250604-N-N0831-0001

SASEBO, Japan – Sailors and Marines assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) received the 2024 Battle Effectiveness Award, for fiscal year 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year the ship has earned this prestigious recognition.

USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Exercise Iron Fist Group Sail

250228-N-TW227-1569 PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 28, 2025) The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), center, steams in formation with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), second from left, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003), second from right, and two JMSDF landing craft during Exercise Iron Fist in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 28. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S, Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth)

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Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth

VIRIN: 250604-N-N0831-0002

SASEBO, Japan - The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed their first patrol of 2025, March 6.

USS America (LHA 6) Hosts Tiger Cruise

250305-N-QR506-1050 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 5, 2025) Friends and family of Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) participate in a damage control demonstration for friends and family of the America during a tiger cruise in the Philippine Sea, March 5. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jeadan Andre)

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Photo By: Seaman Jeadan Andre

VIRIN: 250409-N-N0831-0001

When the USS America sets sail, nations take note. 44,971 tons of U.S. sovereign territory carving a path through the Philippine Sea is hard to ignore but lost in this the picture is the story of the Sailors who man the mighty vessel.

USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Change of Command Ceremony

250109-N-TW227-1199 SASEBO, Japan (Jan. 9, 2025) Sideboys aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) render honors to Capt. Ethan M. Rule, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), during his change of command ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay, Jan. 9. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth)

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Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth

VIRIN: 250604-N-N0831-0003

SASEBO, Japan – Capt. Ethan Rule relieved Capt. Manny “K9” Pardo as commanding officer of the only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), in a change of command ceremony while moored in Sasebo, Japan, Jan. 9, 2025.

USS America (LHA 6) Awarded the ‘Battle E’ for Third Consecutive Year

240517-N-QR506-1124 SASEBO, Japan (May 17, 2024) – Capt. Patrick German (right), Commodore of Amphibious Squadron 11 and the America Amphibious Ready Group, presents the 2023 Battle Effectiveness Award to Capt. Manuel Pardo (left), commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), during an all-hands call in the ship’s hangar bay, May 17, 2024. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jeadan Andre)

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Photo By: Seaman Apprentice Jeadan Andre

VIRIN: 240521-N-N0831-0011

SASEBO, Japan – The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America received the 2023 Battle Effectiveness Award, May 17.

USS America Pulls in to Osaka, Japan

240227-N-PV363-1014 OSAKA, Japan (Feb. 27, 2024) Sailors assigned to the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) and Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) observe as the ship pulls in to Osaka, Japan, February 27.

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Photo By: Seaman Darian Lord

VIRIN: 240408-N-N0831-0002

OSAKA, Japan (Feb. 27, 2024) Sailors assigned to the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) and Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) observe as the ship pulls in to Osaka, Japan, February 27. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

USS America Holds Change of Command

[230714-N-FI026-1277]BRISBANE, Australia (July 14, 2023) Capt. Kelly Fletcher, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, presiding officer for the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) change of command ceremony, departs the change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)

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Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian

VIRIN: 230718-N-N0831-0001

Captain Manny Pardo relieved Capt. Shockey Snyder as commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier, USS America (LHA 6), in a ceremony aboard the ship, while moored in Brisbane, Australia, July 14.

Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) finished conducting operations while transiting with guided-missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93) and landing helicopter assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the Luzon Strait, March 17.

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SASEBO, Japan (April 7, 2022) Capt. Ken Ward, sixth commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), departs the change-of-command on the ship's flight deck. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Bakerian)

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Photo By: Seaman Matthew Bakerian

VIRIN: 220407-N-FI026-1225

SASEBO, Japan – Capt. Ken Ward, sixth commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), turned over command to Capt. Shockey Snyder in a ceremony aboard America, April 7.

USS Miguel Keith Conducts Flight Operations

PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 28, 2022) An MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) refuel on the flight deck of USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5). Miguel Keith, assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group 7, is currently operating as the Theater Littoral Warfare Commander's flagship in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Photo By: Lt.Cmdr. Sherrie A Flippin

VIRIN: 220201-N-N0831-0004

The Navy and Marine Corps “blue-green team” composed of Commander Task Force Seventy-Six (CTF 76)/Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 is underway with the embarked 31st and 11th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), for training and operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Capt. Greg Baker, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, left, presents a relic from USS Arizona (BB 39) to Capt. Ken Ward, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

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Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Doan

VIRIN: 211208-N-N0831-0012

Capt. Greg Baker, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, left, presents a relic from USS Arizona (BB 39) to Capt. Ken Ward, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

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Capt. Ken Ward, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), speaks to Capt. Koji Miyazaki, commanding officer the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182), during a tour of America.

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Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Estrada

VIRIN: 211109-N-N0831-0001

Capt. Ken Ward, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), speaks to Capt. Koji Miyazaki, commanding officer the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182), during a tour of America.

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SAN DIEGO (Oct. 15, 2021) The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrives in San Diego for a scheduled homeport shift. Germantown shifted homeports from Sasebo to San Diego after serving as a forward-deployed ship in U.S. 7th Fleet since Jan. 5, 2011. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin C. Leitner)

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Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Leitner

VIRIN: 211015-N-N0831-0001

Amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrived in San Diego Oct. 15, after a decade of forward-deployed service in the Indo-Pacific region operating out of Japan.

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Lance Cpl. Josiah Rodriguez, from Los Angeles, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), forward-deployed on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), fires a mortar shell during an exercise. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Cavenaile

VIRIN: 210814-N-IO312-1158

A massive CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter touches down on Farallon de Medinilla: a windswept, uninhabited tropical island in the middle of the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific.

USS America Sailors participate in a fueling-at-sea.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 23, 2021) The littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) receives fuel from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a fueling-at-sea. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas B. Contant)

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Photo By: CNSP

VIRIN: 210825-N-N0831-0002

USS America (LHA 6), the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, conducted a fueling-at-sea (FAS) with USS Charleston (LCS 18) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 20.