The U.S. Navy has announced it will commission the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock to be named USS Portland at the Port of Portland in Oregon during a ceremony to occur on Saturday.
The Defense Department said Thursday Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan will provide the commisionning’s principal address.
Bonny Amos, wife of the U.S. Marine Corps‘ 35th commandant, will order the ship’s activation as USS Portland’s sponsor.
San Antonio-class ships are made to support over 800 marines, and accommodate aircraft such as the CH-53E Sea Stallion and MV-22 Osprey.
The 27th Navy LPD will be the third ship to carry the name of Portland, the largest city in Oregon.
The first USS Portland was a heavy cruiser that served in World War II operations concerning Guadalcanal, Leyte Gulf, Corregidor and Okinawa; while the second was a dock landing ship that supported Lebanon peacekeeping missions and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
