Landing ship USS Kearsarge, the flagship of the 22nd Expeditionary Force of the US Marine Corps, arrived in Lithuania (LHD3) Wasp class. According to the US Embassy in Vilnius, this is the biggest ship, visited Lithuania throughout its history “independence”
Landing ship moored in the port of Klaipeda, the crew of the ship and the marines on its port will spend several days in the city, resting after sea passage. reportedly, they will visit the historical part of the city, see the sights. Vilnius has already announced, that this will help strengthen ties between the US and Lithuania.
He is here, to demonstrate unity and solidarity with Lithuania and other NATO allies- US embassy said.
USS Kearsarge amphibious assault ship (LHD3) is the third in a series of eight Wasp-class ships. Laid down in February 1990 of the year, launched 26 Martha 1992, 16 August 1993 transferred to the US Navy, commissioned in October. Designed for transportation and landing on the unequipped coast of the US Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit with all weapons. Able to carry up to 1900 marines.
AT 2020 the ship was repaired with modernization at the General Dynamics shipyard in Norfolk, then returned to the US Navy. The ship has a length 257 m, sediment 8,1 m and total displacement in 40500 tonnes. Maximum speed - 22 host. The ship is the carrier of several fighters and a large number of helicopters.. Previously, AV-8B Harrier vertical take-off aircraft were based on the ship., which were later replaced by the F-35B. We are talking about five or six aircraft. A special hovercraft is also based on the ship., providing landing on an unequipped coast.
The appearance of this ship in the Baltic should demonstrate to Russia “strength and power” US Navy, capable “control any point” oceans.