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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Makin Island (LHD-8)

/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Mike - Xray - Golf NMXG

Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose):

Laid down, 14 February 2004, at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula. MS.

Christened, 19 August 2006

Launched, 22 September 2006

Commissioned USS Makin Island (LHD-8), 24 October 2009, at NAS North Island, Coronado, CA., CAPT. Robert Kopas USN, in command

Makin Island is assigned to Amphibious Group Five of the Pacific Fleet and will be homeported at San Diego, CA.

Specifications:
Displacement 41,335 tons (fl.)
Length 847'
Beam 106' (waterline)
Draft 27.3' (mean at full load)
Speed 20 kts.+
Complement 104 Officer, 1004 Enlisted
Marine Force 1894
Armament 2 Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 20 mm Phalanx (CIWS)mounts, 8 50cal. mgs.
Aircraft 42 CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopters, 5 AV-8B Harrier aircraft, 6 ASW helicopters
Power Plant General Electric [GE] "LM 2500 plus" gas turbine engines , two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
PCU Makin Island (LHD-8)
	29k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** while under construction at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula. MS, 20 May 2005. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems photo	Charles Canterbury
	527k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** while under construction at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula. MS., various Northrop Grumman Ship Systems photos	Gerd Matthes
	227k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** while under construction at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula. MS, 11 August 2006. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems photo	Robert M. Cieri
	57k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** sponsor, Mrs. Silke B. Hagee, christens the ship with a bottle of champagne across her bow at the ships launching, 19 August 2006, at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula. MS. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems photo	Robert M. Cieri
	142k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** begins her first at sea period to conduct Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) Builder's Sea Trials in the Gulf of Mexico, 9 December 2008. US Navy photo from the USS Makin Island web site.	Robert M. Cieri
	480k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8) departs the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Gulf Coast shipyard for five days of Builder's Trials to tests a wide variety of systems and equipment. More than 100 Makin Island Sailors were embarked to observe and monitor the testing conducted be Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding personnel. Makin Island*, scheduled for commissioning 24 October 2009 in San Diego, will be the Navy's eighth and final Wasp Class amphibious assault ship. US Navy photo # 081209-N-2225N-002 GULF OF MEXICO (Dec. 9, 2008)* by MC3 Alec Noe.	Lee Wahler
	1093k	The well deck of Pre-Commissioning Unit *PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** is flooded as Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Gulf Coast personnel open the stern gate during a five-day Builders Trial underway. US Navy photo # 081210-N-3357M-005 GULF OF MEXICO (Dec. 10, 2008) by MCC W. Scott Mishley.	Robert M. Cieri
	1402k	Pre-Commissioning Unit *PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** conducts builder's trials in the Gulf of Mexico. US Navy photo # 090204-N-0000X-002 GULF OF MEXICO (Feb. 4, 2009), courtesy of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast.	Lee Wahler
	982k	Pre-Commissioning Unit *PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** at sea for Builder's Trials in the Gulf of Mexico, 9 December 2009.	Courtesy Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGXB), Gulf Coast.
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	243k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** returns to Northrop Grumman's shipyard at Pascagoula, MS., 20 March 2009 after completing US Navy acceptance sea trial in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship is the eighth USS Wasp (LHD-1)-class amphibious assault ship being built Northrop Grumman at its Gulf Coast facilities in Pascagoula, MS. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation	Bill Gonyo
	357k	US Navy Sailors and Northrop Grumman shipbuilders together manned the flight deck *PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** as Northrop Grumman Corporation's Shipbuilding sector delivered to the ship to the US Navy at Pascagoula, MS, 16 April 2009. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation	Bill Gonyo
	2261k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8) sails easterly through the Strait of Magellan, 15 August 2009, as she prepares to enter the Pacific Ocean. Makin Island departed Pascagoula, MS., July 10 and circumnavigated South America on her way to her new homeport in San Diego. Makin Island** is the eighth and final Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and is scheduled for commissioning in San Diego, 24 October 2009. Photo courtesy of Chilean Navy/Released.	Bill Gonyo
	63k	*PCU Makin Island* (LHD-8)** moored at NAS North Island, Coronado, CA., 18 October 2009, six days before commissioning.	Photo by Derick S. Hartshorn
USS Makin Island (LHD-8)
	6778k	Sailors and Marines assigned to *USS Makin Island* (LHD-8) begin to form up for the ship's commissioning. Makin Island** was officially commissioned during a ceremony at NAS North Island. US Navy photo # 091024-N-3357M-152 SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2009) by MCC W. Scott Mishley	Lee Wahler
	269k	Rear Adm. Bill Landay, Vice Admiral Richard Hunt, Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, and U. S. congresswoman Susan Davis listen to a speech given by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway, during the commissioning ceremony of *USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)*. US Marine Corps. photo # 091024-M-9051G-418 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2009)* by LCpl Meghan Gonzales.	Robert M. Cieri
	502k	Sailors and Officers of her crew, board *USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)** to prepare to "bring the ship to life" during the ship's commissioning ceremony. US Marine Corps. photo # 091024-M-9051G-689 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2009) by LCpl Meghan Gonzales.	Robert M. Cieri
	260k	Sailors and Marines bring the ship to life" manning the rails during the commissioning ceremony of *USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)*. US Marine Corps. photo # 091024-M-9051G-742 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2009)* by LCpl Meghan Gonzales.	Robert M. Cieri
	4890k	Thousands of friends, family and official guests watch as Sailors and Marines man the rails during the commissioning of *USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)*. Makin Island is the final Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, but the first of the class built with gas turbine engines and an electric drive. US Navy photo # 091024-N-8788B-348 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2009)* by MC2 Michael Barton	Lee Wahler
	475k	Sailors man the rails during the commissioning of *USS Makin Island* (LHD-8). Makin Island** was officially commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island. US Navy photo # 091024-N-3357M-275 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2009) by MCC W. Scott Mishley.	Robert M. Cieri
	2591k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8) at left and USS Boxer (LHD-4)** at right, moored at Naval Station San Diego in November 2009.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	2624k		Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	826k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)** transits San Diego Bay while outbound to the Pacific Ocean, 30 June 2010. US Navy photo # 100630-N-2918M-009 SAN DIEGO (Jun 30 2010) by MC3 Peter Merrill.	Ron Reeves
	173k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)** entering San Francisco Bay for the first time on 6 October 2010. photos were taken from the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge.	Photos by Mike McCullough
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	2645k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8) navigates San Diego Bay on her way to the Pacific Ocean for sea trials. Makin Island** recently completed a maintenance availability and is preparing for an upcoming deployment later this year. US Navy photo # 110630-N-ZC343-009 SAN DIEGO (June 30, 2011) by MCC Joe Kane.	Lee Wahler
	295k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8) Sailors and Marines man the rails aboard USS Makin Island (LHD-8) as it transits the San Diego Bay. Makin Island** is the flagship for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) and is underway for PHIBRON-MEU integrated training preparing for its upcoming maiden deployment. US Navy photo # 110810-N-KS651-010 SAN DIEGO (Aug. 10, 2011) by MC2 Jason Behnke.	Lee Wahler
110907-N-KD852-132	1513k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)** transits off the coast of Southern California conducting flight operations as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise. The exercise is designed to test capabilities and ensure overall readiness before deployment. US Navy photos # 110907-N-KD852-132 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 7, 2011) and 110907-N-KD852-156 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 7, 2011) by MCC John Lill.	Lee Wahler
110907-N-KD852-156	1396k		Lee Wahler
	1739k	The Los Angeles-class attack submarine *USS Hampton* (SSN-767) transits alongside USS Makin Island (LHD-8)** as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise. US Navy photo # 110907-N-KD852-297 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 7, 2011) by MCC John Lill.	Robert Hurst
	1555k	*USS Makin Island* (LHD-8)** underway off the coast of southern California. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is underway for a certification exercise preparing for an upcoming deployment. US Navy photo # 111010-N-KD852-027 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 11, 2011) by MCC John Lill.	Lee Wahler
	1385k	The amphibious dock landing ship *USS Pearl Harbor* (LSD-52) front, USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18)** underway off the coast of Southern California. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is underway for a certification exercise preparing for an upcoming deployment. US Navy photo # 111010-N-KD852-492 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 11, 2011) by MCC John Lill.	Lee Wahler

Makin Island (LHD-8) Memorabilia
Christening Coin Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	Christening Program Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	Welcome Aboard Contributed by David Buell	Commissioning Program cover Contributed by Robert M. Cieri

There is no DANFS history available for USS Makin Island (LHD-8) an the US Naval Historical Center

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. Kopas, Robert George	24 October 2009 - 27 August 2010
02	CAPT. Landers, James William	27 August 2010 -


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Makin Island LHD-8
Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R)

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 27 January 2012