The amphibious landing helicopter assault supership America is out of the yards and back in the fleet.
The San Diego-based America has wrapped up a is on the back end of a 10-month, post-shakedown overhaul and is undergoing sea trials in the Pacific, according to a Tuesday Navy release.
For a big chunk of the crew, the sea trials is their first underway, the Navy said in a Tuesday release said.
Newly upgraded, the America is set to begin its preps for its maiden deployment in 2017.
Photo Credit: MC2 Jonathan A. Colon/Navy
"This is my first underway in my new rate and I'm excited to learn more about my job," Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Shawn Magill said. "Now that we're underway, and our equipment is up and running, I get to see new aspects of my job."
The America was commissioned in late 2014 after making an epic round-the-horn cruise from Pascagoula, Mississippi, to California, stopping in Colombia, Brazil, Cuba and Chile along the way. It was built to carry up to 1,687 Marines and serve as a flattop for their aircraft, including the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53 Sea Stallions and more. The America, however, lacks a well deck to launch and recover amphibious vehicles.
America will start its workups ahead of a 2017 deployment, according to an official familiar with operational schedules. Navy official who spoke on background to discuss operational schedules.
David B. Larter was the naval warfare reporter for Defense News.
