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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Patch at right contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Nassau (LHA-4)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Juliet - Papa - Xray NJPX
Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Penthouse

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation (2)
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (2) - Navy Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (4) - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (4) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3-Lebanon) - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (3) - Southwest Asia Service Medal
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Service Medal (5) - Humanitarian Service Medal (2) - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose):

Laid down, 13 August 1973, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS.

Launched, 21 January 1978

Commissioned USS Nassau (LHA-4), 28 July 1979

USS Nassau is a unit of the amphibious force of COMNAVSURFLANT.

Decommissioned, 21 March 2011, at Naval Station Norfolk, VA.

Current Disposition, planned retention in reserve at Beaumont, TX.

Specifications:
Displacement 38,900 t.(fl.)
Length 820'
Beam 106'
Draft 26'
Speed 24 kts.
Complement 82 Officer, 882 Enlisted
Troop Capacity 1900 plus
Armament

two RAM launchers

two 5"/54 gun mounts

two 20mm Phalanx (CIWS)

six 25mm chain guns
Aircraft 28 amphibious transport helicopters
Propulsion two 600 psi boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
51k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo by Mario Mederos, crew chief Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-263) was taken during the Blue Eagles cruise to the Mediterranean in 1983.	Pete Harlem
49k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** moored pierside at NOB Norfolk, VA., August 1985.	Rick Rowan
17k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway, date and place unknown.
63k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway during Operation "Desert Storm" in the early 1990s, location unknown.	Robert Hurst
41k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway, date and location unknown.	Robert Hurst
29k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)**underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo
43k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)**, preparing to moor at Norfolk Naval Station, summer 1992.	Photo by Adam Robison
70k	USMC AV-8B + Harrier 11 '53' om the flight deck of *USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** early 1997, location unknown.	Robert Hurst
26k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** at anchor, circa 1999, location unknown. US Navy photo	.
71k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)**, flight deck view, in port, Rijeka, Croatia, 16 April 2001.	Photo by Frank Egger - Lienz/Austria
130k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** starboard view, moored, in port, Rijeka, Croatia, 16 April 2001.	Photo by Frank Egger - Lienz/Austria
1250k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** moored pierside at Marseille, France, date unknown.	Photo by Philippe Gonzales
179k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway, June 2001, location unknown. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
2159k	Members of *USS Nassau* (LHA-4)*'s Air department Crash Crew maneuver an emergency heavy lift crane, nicknamed "Tilly" during a training exercise, 8 January 2002. Crash and Salvage crews often run drills simulating various kinds of accidents in order to improve their skill in firefighting and salvage operations. US Navy photo # 020108-N-9977R-002 UNDERWAY (8 January 2002)* by PH1 Anibal Rivera.	Robert M. Cieri
41k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** moored pierside, Naval Station Rota Spain, date unknown.	Photo by Manolo Budiño
53k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** pierside, Naval Station Rota Spain, date unknown.	Photo by Manolo Budiño
84k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway, date and location unknown.	Richard Leonhardt
73k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.
390k	US Navy Landing Craft Utility *LCU-1664* approaches the well deck of *USS Nassau* (LHA-4), 10 November 2002. Nassau*'s embarked units are providing support and training for exercise “Image Nautilus” with the east African nation of Djibouti. U.S. Navy photo # 021110-N-9977R-002 Off the coast of Djibouti, Africa November 10, 2002* PH1 Anibal Rivera.	Robert M. Cieri
73k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4), the guided missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) (bottom left), and the guided missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55)** rest in their homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, 30 May 2003. The Nassau Amphibious Ready Group recently returned from deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo # 030530-N-6567S-001 JOC Gerard Sekerak.	Navy News Stand
57k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway in Hampton Roads, February 2005.	Danny Lewis
71k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway off Norfolk, VA., 23 March 2005. An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to the "Argonauts" of Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Two (VMX-22), prepares to land on the flight deck *Nassau. US Navy photo # 050323-N-7945K-116* by PH3 Andrew King	Navy News Stand
47k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** returning to her homeport of Norfolk, VA. from a deployment, 4 May 2006	Joseph A. Gless SK1(SW), USS Nassau
54k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** returning to her homeport of Norfolk, VA. from a deployment, 4 May 2006	Joseph A. Gless SK1(SW), USS Nassau
482k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** conducts flight deck qualifications with the air combat element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit along with members of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-28). The Nassau Strike Group is preparing for an upcoming deployment. US Navy photo # 071119-N-3165S-029 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 19, 2007) by MCSN Ryan Steinhour.	Robert Hurst
407k	The "Don't Tread on Me" jack waves from the forecastle of the frigate *USS John L. Hall* (FFG-32)** as the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA-4) pulls into Souda Bay. Both ships are participating in Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08), the third in a series of annual exercises to improve regional cooperation and maritime security by increasing interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of the participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. US Navy photo # 080408-N-2735T-030 SOUDA BAY, Crete (Apr. 8, 2008) by MC3 Coleman Thompson	Lee Wahler
414k	USS Nassau (LHA-4) the amphibious transport dock ship *USS Nashville* (LPD-13) and the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201)** steam in formation during a transit through the Mediterranean Sea during Phoenix Express (PE 08). PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. US Navy photo # 080416-N-9855D-158 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 16, 2008) by MC1 James C. Davis	Lee Wahler
180k	Overhead view of *USS Nassau* (LHA-4), 7 May 2008, with SH-60F Seahawks assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on her flight deck during a week-long session of maritime security training exercises. Abraham Lincoln and Nassau** are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 080507-N-7945K-126 PERSIAN GULF (May 7, 2008) by MC2 Andrew King.	Robert M. Cieri
453k	An MH-60 Seahawk helicopter approaches *USS Nassau* (LHA-4), 12 May 2008. Nassau** is one of six vessels in the Nassau Strike Group deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Maritime Security Operations. US Navy photo # 080512-N-2735T-196 PERSIAN GULF (May 12, 2008) by MC3 Coleman Thompson.	Robert M. Cieri
333k	Search and rescue swimmers assigned to *USS Nassau* (LHA-4) are hoisted into an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter during a training exercise. Nassau** serves as the flagship for the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group conducting maritime security operations in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 080512-N-2735T-286 PERSIAN GULF (May 12, 2008) by MC3 Coleman Thompson.	Robert M. Cieri
346k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) center, leads a formation of the coalition ships including the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), the Bahraini Navy frigate RBNS Al Manama (FPBGH-50), the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana (F-111), and the United Arab Emirates Navy missile boat UAENS Mubarraz (P4401)** during Exercise Goalkeeper III in the Persian Gulf, 14 May 2008. US Navy photo by MC3 Coleman Thompson.	Robert Hurst
531k	The ships of the Nassau Strike Group (NASSG) transit westward in the Atlantic Ocean, 5 July 2008, as they wrap-up their deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. The Nassau Group is made up of the Norfolk, VA.-based amphibious assault ship *USS Nassau* (LHA-4); the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD-13); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48); the guided-missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG-71) and USS Bulkeley (DDG-84); and the Mayport, FL.-based guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58)*. US Navy photo # 080705-N-2735T-887 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 5, 2008)* by MC3 Coleman Thompson.	Robert M. Cieri
628k	Aerial bow view of *USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** the flagship of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, transits westward in the Atlantic Ocean, 5 July 2008. The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is completing its deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. US Navy photo # 080705-N-5712P-353 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 5, 2008) by MCSN Jonathan Pankau.	Robert M. Cieri
357k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** the flagship of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, transits westward in the Atlantic Ocean, 5 July 2008. The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is completing its deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. US Navy photo # 080705-N-5712P-318 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 5, 2008) by MCSN Jonathan Pankau.	Lee Wahler
238k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) and guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG-71)** transit westward in the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Nassau Strike Group, 5 July 2008. The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is completing its deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility US Navy photo # 080705-N-5712P-126 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 5, 2008) by MCSN Jonathan Pankau.	Robert M. Cieri
422k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) and guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG-84)** transit westward in the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Nassau Strike Group, 5 July 2008. The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is completing its deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. US Navy photo # 080705-N-2735T-678 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 5, 2008) by MC3 Coleman Thompson.	Robert M. Cieri
1990k	Sailors assigned to the "Dragoon Whalers" of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HSC-28) troubleshoot a transfer module problem on the flight control system of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard *USS Nassau* (LHA-4) Nassau** is underway to provide assistance to civilian authorities, if called upon, in the wake of Hurricane Ike. US Navy photo # 080913-N-8132M-002 Atlantic Ocean (Sept. 13, 2008) by MC3 Kiona M. Mckissack.	Robert M. Cieri
247k	Aviation Boatwain's Mates (Handling) direct the landing and launching of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HSC-28) during flight quarters aboard *USS Nassau* (LHD-4). Nassau** is underway to provide assistance to civilian authorities, if called upon, in the wake of Hurricane Ike. US Navy photo # 080914-N-6439C-003 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept 14, 2008) by MC2 Amanda Clayton. US Navy photo # 080914-N-8132M-003 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept 14, 2008) by MC3 Kiona M. Mckissack US Navy photo # 080914-N-8132M-004 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept 14, 2008) by MC3 C3 Kiona M. Mckissack	Robert M. Cieri
280k
309k
332k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** is escorted into Naval Station Norfolk, 27 September 2008 after completing a week of supporting local, state and federal authorities in recovery efforts at Galveston, TX., in the wake of Hurricane Ike. US Navy photo # 080927-N-5758H-114 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 27, 2008) by MC3 Kenneth R. Hendrix.	Lee Wahler
601k	A V-22 Osprey prepares to land aboard *USS Nassau* (LHA-4) off the coast of Haiti. Nassau** is conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage in and around Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 12. US Navy photo # 100208-N-7638K-018 NEPLY, Haiti (Feb. 8, 2010) by MC1 Edward Kessler.	Lee Wahler
1068k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) prepares to receive a landing craft air cushion (LCAC). Nassau** is conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage in and around Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 12. US Navy photo # 100208-N-1082Z-030 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Feb. 8, 2010) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.	Lee Wahler
978k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) transits the Suez Canal. Nassau*, the command platform for the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, and Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit* (24th MEU) are on deployment as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 100226-N-1082Z-069 SUEZ CANAL (Feb. 26, 2010) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.	Lee Wahler
334k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** underway in March 2010. US Navy photo # 100331-N-XXXXZ-XX (Mar. 31, 2010) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.	Ron Reeves
207k	Landing Craft Air Cushion *LCAC-77, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU-4), transports personnel and equipment from USS Nassau* (LHA-4) to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48). Ashland** is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group currently supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation operations in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 100521-N-1082Z-018 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (May 21, 2010) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.	Lee Wahler
937k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** returns to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-month deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. US Navy photo # 100815-N-0634R-002 NORFOLK (Aug. 15, 2010) by MC2 Kristan Robertson.	Navy Newsstand
1861k	*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) returns to her homeport, after a seven-month deployment. She will be moored across the pier from USS Truxtun (DDG-103)*. US Navy photo # 100815-N-VK779-072 Naval Station Norfolk (August 15, 2010)* by MC2 Brian Goodwin.	Robert M. Cieri
1120k	Ex-*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** moored at Naval Station Norfolk on decommissioning day, 31 March 2011.	Photos by Danny Mason USS Nassau
971k		Photos by Danny Mason USS Nassau
355k	Ex-*USS Nassau* (LHA-4)** moored at Naval Station Norfolk at the conclusion of her decommissioning ceremony, 31 March 2011. Note she is minus her masts and antennae, part of her preparation for storage. US Navy Times photo by William H. McMichael.	Lee Wahler
1812k	Ex-*USS Nassau* (LHA-4) under tow, 13 April 2011, by USNS Apache (T-AF-172)** in Hampton Roads enroute to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. Group. Arrived 28 April 2011	Photos by Danny Mason USS Nassau
1713k
1228k

USS Nassau (LHA-4) Memorabilia
1983 Welcome Aboard Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1990 Welcome Aboard Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	2001 PAO Information Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	Bumper Sticker Contributed by Robert M. Cieri

There is no DANFS history available for USS Nassau (LHA-4) at NavSource

For more photos and information about USS Nassau, see;
Index for Histories/Command Operations Reports
USS Nassau (LHA-4)
Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R)
"The Virginian-Pilot (Pilot Online)" article "Navy Decommissions Norfolk-based ship Nassau"
Commanding Officers

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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Last Updated 10 February 2012