PASCAGOULA, Miss. – Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on July 30 began fabrication of LPD-29, Richard M. McCool, Jr., the 13th San Antonio class ship, at its shipyard in Pascagoula. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut. LPD-29 is named in honor of Navy veteran Capt. Richard M. McCool, Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for heroism, after his ship was attacked by kamikaze aircraft and he led efforts to save the ship and rescue injured sailors. The principal mission of San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ships is to transport and deploy the combat and support elements of Marine expeditionary units and special operation units; and will be able to debark air cushion or amphibious assault vehicles, and accommodate nearly all sizes of Marine helicopters, including the MV-22 Osprey. Eleven San Antonio class ships have been delivered, the latest being USS Portland (LPD 27), commissioned in April. LPD-28 and 29 will serve as transition ships to LPD-30, the first ship of the Flight II class. (Source: Naval Sea Systems Command, 07/30/18)
