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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Tortuga (LSD-46)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Tango - Sierra - Alpha
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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 - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) - Navy Battle "E" (6) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Somalia) - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - Armed Forces Service Medal


Whidbey Island Class Dock Landing Ship:
  • Laid down, 23 March 1987 at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
  • The threat of Hurricane Gilbert in the Gulf of Mexico forced an early launching of the ship, as a precautionary measure on 15 September 1988
  • Commissioned USS Tortuga (LSD-46), 17 November 1990, CDR. Allan D. Wall, in command
  • Tortuga is forward deployed at Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan and homeported at NAB Little Creek, VA.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 11,471 t.(lt), 15,939 t.(fl)
    Length 609' 7"
    Beam 84'
    Draft 19' 2"
    Speed 20+ kts.
    Complement
    Officers 22
    Enlisted 391
    Marine Detachment 402 + 102 surge
    Aircraft, helicopters (Flight Deck, 2 spots)
    Landing/Attack Craft Four (LCAC) Landing Craft, Air Cushion
    Armament
    two 25mm MK 38 Machine Guns
    two 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts
    six .50 cal. machine guns
    two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Mounts
    Propulsion
    four Colt-Pieistick PC2.5V 16 cylinder marines diesel engines
    four 1,300kw Fairbanks-Morse O-P 38D8-1/8 Generating Sets
    two controllable pitch propellers, combined SHP 33,000

    Click On Image
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    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Tortuga 192k Tortuga (LSD-46) ready for launch, 15 September 1988, at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
    US Navy photo
    Dale Hargrave
    Tortuga 282k Tortuga (LSD-46) launching, 15 September 1988, at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
    US Navy photo
    Dale Hargrave
    Tortuga 258k Christening of Tortuga (LSD-46) 19 November 1988, by Mrs. Rosemary Parker Schoultz, the ship's sponsor, at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA. Dale Hargrave
    Tortuga 297k
    Tortuga 26k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Tortuga 49k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Joe Radigan MACM, USN Ret
    Tortuga 463k A US Navy SH-60 Seahawk helicopter takes off from the deck of USS Tortuga (LSD-46) while she is moored pierside in New Orleans, 5 September 2005.. Tortuga has been transporting Hurricane Katrina victims to the ship where they are given hot meals, showers and beds to sleep in. The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is being led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense.
    US Navy photo # 050905-N-6436W-140 by PH2 Michael B. Watkins.
    Robert Hurst
    Tortuga 63k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) moored at Naval Support Activity New Orleans in support of Hurricane Katrina humanitarian assistance operations. The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is being led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense.
    US Navy photo # 050910-N-5526M-004 by PH1 Robert McRill.
    Jack Treutle and Chet Morris
    Torture 264k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) cruises off the coast of Curacao during exercise Relieve Discomfort. The Marines, Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU-2) and Tortuga are all participating in Exercise Relieve Discomfort. Relieve Discomfort is a crisis response exercise aimed at improving Standing Naval Forces, Atlantic (SNFL's) operational capability to undertake humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Countries involved include the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark Spain, United Kingdom, the U.S. and Canada.
    US Navy photo # 010217-N-OB537-506.CURACAO, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (February 17, 2001) by PH1 Martin Maddock.
    Robert Hurst
    Essex 262k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) approaches the Royal Australian Navy replenishment oiler HMAS Sirius (O 266), 15 June 2007, in the Coral Sea as Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose) USS Essex (LHD-2) conducts a refueling at sea during Talisman Saber 2013, 15 June 2007. TS07 is a U.S. and Australian-led Joint Task Force operation preparing our militaries for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. TS07 is designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces, demonstrating the U.S. and Australian commitment to our military alliance and regional security.
    US Navy photo # 070615-N-4614W-035 CORAL SEA (15 June 2007) by MC1 Jeremy L. Wood.
    Robert Hurst
    Manistee 716k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) is assisted by Manistee (YTB-782) and other harbor tugs as she arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (CFAY), 1 September 2007. Tortuga participated in a simulated evacuation of stranded citizens from Tokyo's Kasai Kaihin Park to the ship via landing craft air cushion LCACs as part of a Tokyo Metropolitan Government disaster relief drill. This is the second year that the U.S. Navy has participated in this type of drill.
    US Navy photo # 070901-N-9520G-003 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 1, 2007) by MC2 Nardelito Gervacio.
    Chet Morris
    Tortuga 2256k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) gets underway from Fleet Activities Sasebo departing on fall patrol. Tortuga is a dock landing ship with Task Force 76, the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed amphibious force, headquartered at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo.
    US Navy photo # 070924-N-4124C-025 SASEBO, Japan (Sept. 24, 2007) by MC2 Adam R. Cole.
    Lee Wahler
    Tortuga 95k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) underway in San Diego, Bay, in 2007. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tortuga 259k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) moored pierside at Puerto Princesa, Republic of the Philippines, 25 May 2008, at the opening of cooperation afloat readiness and training (CARAT) 2008. The Republic of the Philippines and the United States are working together on a variety of military exercises and medical and civil assistance projects as part of CARAT 08.
    US Navy photo # 080525-N-2296G-004 PUERTO PRINCESA, Republic of the Philippines (May 25, 2008) by MC1 Dave Gordon.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tortuga 1006k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) with the guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG-33), the guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) and the US Coast Guard cutter USCG Morgenthau (WHEC-722) are moored at the commercial pier in Puerto Princesa, Republic of the Philippines, 2 June 2008, at the conclusion of the Philippine portion of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008 exercise.
    US Navy photo # 80602-N-4431B-426 PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (June 2, 2008) by CDR. Daryl Borgquist.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tortuga 274k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) with the guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG-33), the guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) and the US Coast Guard cutter USCG Morgenthau (WHEC-722) are moored at the commercial pier in Puerto Princesa, Republic of the Philippines, 2 June 2008, at the conclusion of the Philippine portion of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008 exercise.
    US Navy photo # 80602-N-4431B-421 PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (June 2, 2008) by CDR. Daryl Borgquist.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tortuga 767k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) arrives in Thailand, 8 June 2008, from a recent Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in the Philippines. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces.
    US Navy photo # 080608-N-3581D-002 SATTAHIP, Thailand (June 8, 2008) by MC1 Maurice Dayao.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tortuga 405k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) leads the way followed by the Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Lekir (F-26), followed by the guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG-33), and the Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil (F-135) line up during a maneuvering exercise in the South China Sea, on 14 July 2008, as part of the Malaysian phase of cooperation afloat readiness and training (CARAT) 2008.
    US Navy photo # 080714-N-0096V-014 by MCC Steve Vasquez
    Robert Hurst
    Essex 379k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) approaches the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204), already alongside USS Essex (LHD-2) for a refueling-at-sea, preparing for Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-pacific forces. The exercise will include humanitarian projects with participants from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.
    US Navy photo # 090206-N-5253W-020 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Essex 289k USS Tortuga (LSD-46), left, and USS Essex (LHD-2), right, steam alongside the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204), with the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) close behind, during an refueling at sea, preparing for Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-pacific forces. The exercise will include humanitarian projects with participants from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.
    US Navy photo # 090206-N-5253W-085 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber.
    Robert M. Cieri and Lee Wahler
    Essex
    090206-N-5253W-127
    282k USS Tortuga (LSD-46), left, and the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), right, receive fuel from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204) during a refueling at sea preparing for Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-pacific forces. The exercise will include humanitarian projects with participants from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.
    US Navy photos;
    # 090206-N-5253W-127 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009)
    and
    # 090206-N-5253W-176 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Essex
    090206-N-5253W-176
    415k
    Tortuga 787k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) steams through the Gulf of Thailand during exercise Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored joint coalition multinational military exercise designed to train a Thai, U.S. and Singaporean Coalition Task Force.
    US Navy photo # 090211-N-1251W-052 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 11, 2009) by MC2 Matthew R. White.
    Lee Wahler
    Essex
    090421-N-0120A-206 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 21, 2009)
    336k The forward deployed USS Essex (LHD-2) center, steams in formation with, from right rear, the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD-46), the Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy destroyer escort BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11), the Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy patrol boat BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG-847), the Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy patrol boat BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy logistics support vessel BRP Dagupan City (LC-551) during exercise Balikatan 2009. An annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies
    US Navy photo #'s
    090421-N-0120A-206 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 21, 2009)
    by MC2 Mark R. Alvarez
    090421-N-9950J-022 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 21, 2009) by MC2 Greg Johnson<
    Robert Hurst
    Essex
    090421-N-9950J-022 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 21, 2009)
    271k
    Tortuga 151k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) conducts an underway replenishment with the Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler Replenishment Vessel HMAS Success (OR-304) during exercise Talisman Saber 2009. Talisman Saber is a biennial, combined training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined operations
    US Navy photo #090711-N-5215E-065 CORAL SEA (July 11, 2009) by MC2 Matthew A. Ebarb
    Robert Hurst
    Tortuga 1386k A tug assists USS Tortuga (LSD-46) as she departs Sasebo to begin her fall patrol. Tortuga is part of the Denver Amphibious Task Group, which will participate in exercises with three different allied nations.
    US Navy photo # 090924-N-8335D-320 SASEBO, Japan (Sept. 24, 2009) by MC1 Richard Doolin.
    Bill Gonyo
    Tortuga 937k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) conducts flight operations in Manila Bay. Tortuga and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) are supporting humanitarian assistance efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Ketsana at the request of the Republic of the Philippines.
    US Navy photo # 091007-N-0807W-034 MANILA BAY, Philippines (Oct. 7, 2009) by MC2 Joshua J. Wahl.
    Lee Wahler
    Tortuga 884k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) and USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) pass at sea during a division tactics exercise for Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Indonesia 2010. NEA is part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness.
    US Navy photo # 100528-N-0995C-364 JAVA SEA (May 28, 2010) by MC2 Eric J. Cutright.
    Lee Wahler
    Tortuga 117k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) leads the Royal Malaysian Navy frigates KD Lekir (F26) and KD Lekiu (FF30) and the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG-83) and the guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG-54) while underway supporting Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 10 June 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness.
    US Navy photo # 110610-N-VY256-126 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jun. 10, 2011) by MC3 Christopher S. Johnson.
    Robert Hurst
    Tortuga 409k USS Tortuga (LSD-46) moored pierside, 14 October 2017, at Naval Station Norfolk, VA. Photo by Dale Hargrave


    For more photos and information about USS Tortuga, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
  • USS Tortuga (LSD-46) Historical Chronology
  • USS Tortuga (LSD-46)
  • Navy Fact File - Dock Landing Ship - LSD

  • Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Wall, Allan David, USN (USNA 1971)17 November 1990 - 24 July 1992
    02CDR. Gilmore, Stephen Douglas, USN (USNA 1974)24 July 1992 - 6 May 1994
    03CDR. Daniels, William Dwight, USN (USNA 1977)6 May 1994 - 14 March 1996
    04CDR. McKeon, Thomas Louis14 March 1996 - 18 July 1997
    05CDR. Rome, Kenneth Martin18 July 1997 - 8 February1999
    06CDR. Burdon, John Monroe (Jay)8 February 1999 - 1 September 2000
    07CDR. Driscoll, James Patrick, USN (USNA 1981) :RADM1 September 2000 - 31 May 2002
    08CDR. Shanahan, Brian Joseph, USN31 May 2002 - 19 June 2002
    09CDR. Chassee, Thomas James, USN19 June 2002 - 19 September 2002
    10CDR. McElroy III, Paul Leon, USN (USNA 1985) 19 September 2002 - 8 July 2004
    11CDR. Scovill, Mark Henry, USN8 July 2004 - 12 April 2006
    12CDR. Talaga, Michael Thomas, USN12 April 2006 - 12 December 2006
    13CDR. Lewis, Todd A., USN12 December 2006 - 29 April 2008
    14CDR. Zuhowski, John Joseph29 April 2008 - 8 January 2009
    15CAPT. Weber, Mark Evans, USN (USNA 1985)8 January 2009 - 10 September 2009
    16CDR. Lowell, James Paul (Jim), USN (USNA 1983)10 September 2009 - 12 February 2011
    17CDR. Ragland, Adrian D. (Biography)12 February 2011 - 12 July 2012
    18CDR. Barnett, John Justin, USN12 July 2012 - 23 August 2013 (hull swap to LSD-48)
    19Hershman, Brett Christian, USN23 August 2013 - 15 August 2014 (hull swap from LSD-48)
    20CDR. Goudreau, Thomas Raymond, USN15 August 2014 - 16 December 2014
    21CAPT. Bennett, Augustus Pervis16 December 2014 - January 2015
    22CDR. Baker, Jeffrey Duane, USNJanuary 2015 - 18 December 2017
    23CDR. Follett, Daniel A., USN18 December 2017 - December 2017
    24CDR. Rule, Ethan Matthew, USNDecember 2017 - 18 April 2019
    25CDR. Goscinski, Rose Anne (Rosie), USN (USNA 2001)18 April 2019 - 16 July 2020
    26CDR. Jones, Kimberly Elaine, USN16 July 2020 - 10 November 2021
    27CDR. O'Connell, Tod Finbarr, USN20 November 2021 - 22 September 2023
    28CDR. Pavik, Thomas Franklin (Tucker) USN22 September 2023 -  
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

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